BATRACHOLOGY
Batrachology is the study of amphibians. Most people use the term "herpetology" but this includes reptiles. Evolutionary biologists all agree that taxonomy should reflect natural groups, i.e., monophyletic clades. So, why do we still use a grossly "polyphyletic" concept of herpetology as including the Amphibia? The only seemingly rational argument, besides the worn out appeal to "tradition," is that similar logistics and field protocols are involved in studying extant amphibians and reptiles. If this argument holds water, then I should like to be the first to propose the new science of "flying tetrapods," since the study of both bats and birds utilizes mist nets, gloves and cloth bags. Otherwise, "herpetology" should be restricted to reptiles. [Whether they want to include flying reptiles (birds) in that group is for the herpetologists to decide.]
Anyway, we batrachologists are blessed with some amazing online databases and excellent colleagues...
Here are some key web pages for batrachologists:
Save the Frogs! Learn more about frogs, why they are disappearing ,and what you can do help! Take a few minutes and look around the website, and enjoy. Don't miss the photo gallery, e.g., Vicky's photos from Peru.
Global Amphibian Assessment searchable database. A great source of information on the geographic ranges of amphibian species. Provides not only range maps, but also conservation status, ecological data, and relevant literature. This database resulted from extensive collaboration and expert input.
Amphibian Species of the World from the AMNH. The best online resource for taxonomic information, including synonyms.
AmphibiaWeb from UC Berkeley. The goal is to have a page dedicated to each species in the world. A good first place to look for species accounts, photos, frog calls, references, and to find species lists by country.
AmphibiaTree, an all-amphibian phylogeny project led by U.S. batrachologists from multiple institutions.
Asociación Herpetológica Colombiana is Colombia's newly form herpetological society. Colombia has the second highest amphibian diversity of any country -- far more species than batrachologist to study them, which means we have a lot of work ahead!
AmphibiaWeb Ecuador from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador.
The Research and Analysis Network for Neotropical Amphibians, information and investigations of amphibian declines.
Frogs of Borneo. A beautiful website!
Color guides to the Amphibians of Peru, starting with the Amazonian region of southern Peru. Hopefully we'll have such guides for most field sites and regions. A very nice resource made freely available on the Web by the Field Museum of Chicago.
The Xenopus tropicalis genome project homepage at the Joint Genome Institute in Walnut Creek, California.
The large and very active lab group of Professor Adolfo Amézquita, GECOH, the Ecophysiology of Behavior and Herpetology Group, at thethe Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia.
"Most Amphibia are abhorrent because of their cold body, pale colour, cartilaginous skeleton, filthy skin, fierce aspect, calculating eye, offensive smell, harsh voice, squalid habitation, and terrible venom; and so their Creator has not exerted his powers [to make] many of them." -- Carl Linaeus, Systema Naturae, 1758.
NB: under the term "Amphibia" Linaeus included not only amphibians but also reptiles and cartilagenous fishes.