Chorus Frog Vs Spring Peeper

Larval Distributions of Spring Peepers and Chorus Frogs

The Ecology and Behavior of Amphibians

Consisting of more than six thousand species, amphibians are more diverse than mammals and are found on every continent save Antarctica. Despite the abundance and diversity of these animals, many aspects of the biology of amphibians remain unstudied or misunderstood. The Ecology and Behavior of Amphibians aims to fill this gap in the literature on this remarkable taxon. It is a celebration of the diversity of amphibian life and the ecological and behavioral adaptations that have made it a successful component of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Synthesizing seventy years of research on amphibian biology, Kentwood D. Wells addresses all major areas of inquiry, including phylogeny, classification, and morphology; aspects of physiological ecology such as water and temperature relations, respiration, metabolism, and energetics; movements and orientation; communication and social behavior; reproduction and parental care; ecology and behavior of amphibian larvae and ecological aspects of metamorphosis; ecological impact of predation on amphibian populations and antipredator defenses; and aspects of amphibian community ecology. With an eye towards modern concerns, The Ecology and Behavior of Amphibians concludes with a chapter devoted to amphibian conservation. An unprecedented scholarly contribution to amphibian biology, this book is eagerly anticipated among specialists.

Unicoi Unity

The Unicoi Mountains straddle the Tennessee-North Carolina state line just south of the Great Smoky Mountains, separated from the latter mountains only by the Little Tennessee River. Extending from the Little Tennessee River southward to the Hiwassee River, the Unicois are a southern segment of the high Unaka ridge that forms the western escarpment of the southern Appalachians. The Snowbird Mountains are included with the Unicois because they are connected like a spur ridge to the Unicois. The Unicois have been isolated and difficult to access until the completion in 1996 of the forty-two-mile-long, superbly scenic Cherohala Skyway that courses along the highest ridges of the Unicois at elevations up to 5,390 feet and provides outstanding views of forested mountains. The Unicoi Mountains have been relatively undisturbed by human development since most of the land is publicly owned and managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The Unicois harbor many diverse natural treasures that are hidden from the casual observer. Along with his personal observations, the author describes and synthesizes the results of scientific research on the natural assets of the Unicois, including intensive surveys of plants and animals in certain areas, the results of which have often been reported only in places where the general public cannot easily access them. The authors purpose in writing the book is to share with others what he has learned about the special natural features (landscape, geology, climate, flora, fungi, and fauna) of the Unicois and their historical rootswith the hope of inspiring others to enjoy, cherish, and conserve them. Unicoi Unity also reviews the history of the effects of humans on the Unicoi ecosystem and anticipates future challenges.