A Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Egypt

Sherif Baha El Din

Description

A new guide for Egyptian naturalists
Reptiles and amphibians are among Egypt's most successful wildlife, found in almost every habitat in the country, from homes to fields and the desert itself. For the first time, A Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Egypt provides concise, reliable, and up-to-date information on all of Egypt's principal species, with detailed material on their taxonomy, identification, natural history, and ecology. Based on fifteen years of fieldwork, this guide is a valuable tool for experts and amateurs alike in the identification, study, and conservation of these fascinating animals. With an easy-to-use key, high-quality maps, and over 100 color illustrations, this field guide covers 110 species including tortoises and turtles, lizards, snakes, and crocodiles found in Egypt. Each entry contains concise information about the species, including English, Latin, and Arabic names; world and Egypt distribution; distinguishing features; habitat and ecology; behavior; and conservation status. Included too are line drawings to illustrate key identification features and differences between species. With a comprehensive bibliography for further research, the guide supplies the accuracy and scientific rigor that scientists look for, while providing an accessible approach for generalists and amateurs. For biologists, nature lovers, and anyone interested in Egypt's rich natural heritage, A Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Egypt is an ideal reference tool.

Sujets

• Terrariums
• Amphibians
• Pets
• Reptiles

Informations

• Publié par: The American University in Cairo Press
• Date de parution: 01 juin 2006
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781617975172
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 11 Mo

Extrait

A Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Egypt

A Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Egypt

Sherif Baha El Din

The American University in Cairo Press

Copyright©2006 by The American University in Cairo Press 113 Sharia Kasr el Aini, Cairo, Egypt 420 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10018 www.aucpress.com

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechani cal, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Photographs and illustrations by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Dar el Kutub No. 14107/05 ISBN 978 977 424 979 2

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 14 13 12 11 10 09

Designed by Sally Makram/AUC Press Design Center Printed in Egypt

Acknowledgments Foreword Introduction

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25

Contents

The Egyptian Setting Evolution of Egypt's Landscape and Its Herpetofauna The Contemporary Egyptian Herpetofauna Herpetofaunal Habitats of Egypt Conservation Methodology Amphibia Bufonidae Ranidae Hylidae Reptilia Gekkonidae Agamidae Chamaeleonidae Lacertidae Varanidae Scincidae Order SQUAMATA: Suborder SERPENTES (Snakes) Typhlopidae Leptotyphlopidae Boidae Colubridae Elapidae Atractaspididae Viperidae

Contents

vii ix xi

1 3 7 13 19 21 25 27 37 47 51 53 115 139 147 191 197 215 219 227 235 241 291 299 303

v

Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32

Order CROCODYLIA (Crocodiles) Order TESTUDINES (Turtles and Tortoises) Testudinidae Chelonidae Dermochelyidae Trionychidae Emydidae

Gazetteer of Egyptian Localities Glossary Bibliography

Index

vi

Contents

317 321 323 329 337 341 345

349 355 357 379

Acknowledgments

Many friends and colleagues have helped me throughout this project in various ways. I would like to thank them all: Moustafa Fouda, Waheed Salama, Omar Attum, Ahmed Riad, Tom Cole, Richard Hoath, Mohamed Kassas, Alan Resetar, Hala Barakat, Esther Wenman, John Grainger, John and Patsy Gasperetti, Gabriel Mikhail, Francis Gilbert, Barry Clarck, John Gerhart, David and Heddi Merrie, Ibrahim Helmy, Ahmed Disi, Loutfy Boulos, Mohamed Ibrahim, Kaori Odani, Jeff and Linda Millington, John and Susan Warberton, Jose Rosado, Harold Voris, Steve Goodman, Nick Arnold, Mohamed Gad, John Poynton, PierreAndreá Cro chet, George Zug, Patrick Osborne, Zuhair Amr, Jens Vindum, Van Wallach, Ivan Ineich, Rainer Günther, Ulrich Joger, Alan Leviton, Osama Ghazali, Saleh Mah moud, Wolfgang Böhme, Yehuda Werner, Jiři Moravec, Herman in den Bosch, Fekri Hassan, Colin McCarthy, Hymen Marx, Lyle and Gloria Rosenzweig, Alison Clarck, Max Kasparek, Stephen Spawls, Wolfgang Wüster, Roberto Sindaco, Samy Zalat, Gian Lorenzo, Dave Ferguson, Michael Pearson, Mohamed Sharif Khan, Tim Wacher, Ali Hamdy, John McEachern, Philippe Geniez, Moustafa Saleh, Samir Ghabbour, Ahmed Gamal, Hans Schneider, Jim Buskirk, Paul Wil liams, Wael Abed, Amr Sharawi, Jacopo Sinibaldi, Neil Hewison, Mohamed El Saghir and all the rangers in the protected areas of Egypt. I am especially indebted to my wife and family who have been patient and unrelentingly supportive. Special thanks go to Omar Attum, Roberto Sendaco, Gabriel Mikhail, Mindy Baha El Din and Daniel Müller who provided invaluable photographic materials.

Acknowledgments

vii

Foreword

The knowledge of our biodiversity resources is still far from complete. Under standing and accounting for our biodiversity is essential if we are to develop meaningful and effective strategies and actions for their future conservation. The present treatise is an excellent example of biodiversity survey, which updates and consolidates our knowledge about an important part of the Egyptian fauna, the herpetofauna. This fauna deserves special attention particularly the amphibia, tur tles and tortoises, which are among the most threatened groups of biota worldwide. The introductory chapter provides a synoptic outline of the scene of Egypt: its diverse deserts, oases, Nile Valley and Delta, wetlands, and coastal lands. This sets an ecological background of the survey that follows. The main bulk of this book provides an authoritative systematic survey including keys for identification. For every species the text provides detailed diagnostic features with notes on habi tat and ecology, conservation status, geographic range, distribution maps in Egypt, and an excellent selection of photographs. This is a most welcome contribution to the natural history of the Egyptian biodiversity, which provides students, researchers, conservation technicians, and the layman with a valuable and up to date reference. This outstanding publication deserves wellearned acclaim. The author, Dr. Sherif Baha El Din, and the publisher, The American University in Cairo Press, are to be commended for this valuable contribution to the Egyptian natural his tory studies.

Mohamed Kassas Emeritus Professor of Plant Ecology University of Cairo Former President of the World Conservation Union (IUCN)

Foreword

ix