Mountain Salamanders of the Genus Ranodon, Advances in the Amphibian Research in the Former Soviet Union, Volume 6
Kuzmin, S\Thiesmeier, B
2001. Sofia-Moscow, 165x235, many tables, figs, colour photos, maps, In English.
Ppb, 200pp. Price EURO 34.
Add to Order Form | All Books from Kuzmin, S | All Books from Thiesmeier, B | All Books on the same Subject | All Books from the same Region

Contents:
1. Introduction - 2. History of studies - 3. Systematics of the genus Ranodon - 3.1. Diagnosis - 3.2. Problems with the taxonomy and composition of the genus - 3.3. Phylogenetic relationships - 4. The Semirechensk Salamander, Ranodon sibiricus Kessler, 1866 - 4.1. Systematics - 4.1.1. Synonymy and common names - 4.1.2. Type territory and type specimens - 4.1.3. Description - 4.2. Geographical distribution - 4.2.1. Historical geography of the area - 4.2.2. Recent geography of the area - 4.2.3. Distribution of the Semirechensk Salamander - 4.3. Morphology and physiology - 4.3.1. Spawn and the male sexual products - 4.3.2. Normal larval development - 4.3.3. Respiratory system and respiration - 4.3.4. Skeleton and musculature - 4.3.5. Nervous system and sense organs - 4.3.6. Blood, circulatory system and heart - 4.3.7. Skin, its derivatives, glands and digestive system - 4.4. Ecology and behaviour - 4.4.1. Habitats and population number - 4.4.2. Reproduction - 4.4.3. Development and growth - 4.4.4. Stream type or pond type? - 4.4.5. Feeding ecology and behaviour - 4.4.6. Activity, thermobiology and hibernation - 4.4.7. Abnormalities, parasites, enemies, and mortality - 4.5. Conservation - 5. The Qinba Salamander, Ranodon tsinpaensis Liu et Hu, 1966 - 5.1. Systematics - 5.1.1. Synonymy and common names - 5.1.2. Type territory and type specimens - 5.1.3. Description - 5.2. Geographical distribution - 5.3. Morphology - 5.4. Ecology - 5.5. Conservation - 6. The Yellow-Spotted Salamander, Ranodon flavomaculatus (Hu et Fei, 1978) - 6.1. Systematics - 6.1.1. Synonymy and common names - 6.1.2. Type territory and type specimens - 6.1.3. Description - 6.2. Geographical distribution - 6.3. Ecology - 6.4. Conservation - 7. The Wushan Salamander, Ranodon shihi (Liu, 1950) - 7.1. Systematics - 7.1.1. Synonymy and common names - 7.1.2. Type territory and type specimens - 7.1.3. Description - 7.2. Geographical distribution - 7.3. Morphology and physiology - 7.4. Ecology - 7.4.1. Habitats, abundance and feeding - 7.4.2. Reproduction and development - 7.5. Conservation - 8. Keeping and breeding in captivity - 9. Paleontological records - 10. Conclusion - 11. Acknowledgements - 12. References - Index

Notes:
Mountain salamanders of the genus Ranodon are among the most primitive, endangered and narrow-ranged amphibians of the world. These animals live in the former USSR (Kazakhstan) and China, and are poorly known for scientists. This work represents review of all the data existing to the present time. It contains information on the history of studies, systematics, geographical distribution, palaeontology, morphology, cytogenetics, physiology, ecology, behaviour, anthropogenic influences, conservation, captive keeping and breeding of these salamanders. It is supposed that the genus Ranodon includes four species: Ranodon sibiricus Kessler, 1866, Ranodon tsinpaensis Liu et Hu, 1966, Ranodon flavomaculatus (Hu et Fei, 1978) and Ranodon shihi (Liu, 1950), as well as a fossil form from the Zailiiskii Ridge in Kazakhstan, whose taxonomic position is unclear. Revised diagnosis of the genus Ranodon is proposed. The taxonomic relationships between different forms are discussed in detail. High extent of fragmentation of the ranges at generic and species levels are discussed in the context of historical changes of climate, landscape, anthropogenic influences, as well as salamander specialization by habitat. Ranodon sibiricus seems to be the most threatened species in the genus, which may extinct in near future without special measures of protection. The book may be used by not only zoologists, but also by everybody interested in the enigmatic nature of Central Asiatic mountains and its conservation.

To check your order, please click here

Click here to view our home page