This book provides detailed and updated knowledge about medically important ‘Big Four’ venomous snakes of India (Indian spectacled cobra, Indian common krait, Indian Russell’s viper, and Indian saw-scaled viper). This book essentially covers the snakebite problem in the world with particular reference to Asia and India. It discusses the evolution and systematics of venomous snakes, emphasizing ‘Big Four’ venomous snakes of India; the evolution and composition of venoms determined by traditional biochemical and modern proteomic analyses. It also describes the pharmacological properties of enzymatic and non-enzymatic toxins of ‘Big Four’ venomous snakes of India. Different chapters discuss exciting topics such as species-specific and geographical differences in venom composition and its impact on pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of snakebite envenomation in India, biomedical application of Indian snake venom toxins; production and quality assessment of commercial antivenom, prevention, and treatment of snakebite in India, adverse effects of antivenom including strategies to combat antivenom reactions inpatient. This book caters to toxinologists, pharmacologists, zoologists, antivenom manufacturers, biochemists, clinicians, evolutionary biologists, herpetologists, and informed non-specialists interested to know about the Indian snake venoms.

Snakes of the World: A Catalogue of Living and Extinct Species-the first catalogue of its kind-covers all living and fossil snakes described between 1758 and 2012, comprising 3,509 living and 274 extinct species allocated to 539 living and 112 extinct genera. Also included are 54 genera and 302 species that are dubious or invalid, resulting in reco

In this follow-up to Islands and Snakes, this book contains 15 chapters describing diversity and conservation of snakes on islands, with foci on selected island systems not previously summarized. Attendant topics include biogeography, plasticity and evolutionary responses to insular conditions, invasive species, importance and collapse of trophic systems, threats to insular snake populations, and strategies of conservation to save them. Chapters include descriptions of snake faunas on larger islands such as Borneo and New Guinea; reproductive biology of insular snakes; phenotypic evolution; physiology and growth patterns related to diet and environment; patterns of endemism; taxonomy of snake radiations; and history of invasions by snakes on islands. The final chapter presents a discussion of prospects and overview of conservation of snakes on islands. Chapters are contributed by international authorities on respective island-and-snake systems. The latter include some islands or archipelagos that are young, or of high importance, or support snake populations that were previously not well known. The content includes colourful photographs, informative illustrations, and in some cases synthesis of new data relevant to the importance of islands for understanding the ecological underpinnings and genesis of biodiversity. Each chapter is appropriately referenced with citations to scientific literature, and where useful, footnotes, tables and graphic information supporting the narrative of the respective subject matter. The overall presentation is intended to provide readers with an enhanced appreciation for islands and the spectacular snakes that might live there.

IN THIS REVISED edition of Amphibians and Reptiles of Texas, James R. Dixon adds to and updates the extensive information given in the first edition. A new section on conservation issues highlights some of the problems facing the continued survival of amphibians and reptiles, particularly commercial collecting and habitat destruction. Taxonomic changes have been made to reflect the latest scientific information, and the extensive listing of the literature on Texas amphibians and reptiles has been updated through April, 1999. Going back to the writings of French botanist Jean Louis Berlandier, who encountered Texas herpetofauna during his travels from 1828 to 1834, this list covers more than 150 years of inquiry into the state's species and is also testimony to the distinguished careers of such herpetologists as Hobart M. Smith and, more recently, Chris McAllister. Another prominent feature of this book is the more than 150 distribution maps, which show by county the updated distribution records for all native Texas amphibians and reptiles, based on more than 13,000 county records and more than 110,000 individual localities. Professional and amateur herpetologists as well as environmentalists, wildlife specialists, campers, and hikers will find the dichotomous keys useful for identifying species at hand. This aid to identification is supported by a glossary, drawings and photographs, and complete scientific and common names.

Since the publication of The Venomous Reptiles of Latin America by Cornell University Press in 1989, scientific discoveries and taxonomic changes have resulted in the addition of many taxa and species to the herpetology of the Western Hemisphere. This updated, heavily rewritten, and greatly expanded version of that book now includes accounts of all 192 species of venomous snakes and lizards found in the Western Hemisphere. Volume I includes a table of contents, list of tables, preface, introduction, and regional/country accounts with related bilingual identification keys and vegetation and topographic maps. Genus and species accounts in this volume treat all of the lizards, coralsnakes, and seasnakes; these accounts are accompanied by color photographs of individual species. Volume II begins with the pitvipers, including all known species of rattlesnakes. This volume features four chapters by experts on mimicry, evolution, and snakebite treatment in tropical and temperate America. A glossary, literaturecited section, and index serve both volumes. Color photographs portray pitvipers, including rattlesnakes, and the damage done by snakebite.