New Zealand Lizards [Hardcover]

This edited volume is a timely and comprehensive summary of the New Zealand lizard fauna. Nestled in the south-west Pacific, New Zealand is a large archipelago that displays the faunal signatures of both its Gondwanan origins, and more recent oceanic island influences. New Zealand was one of the last countries on Earth to be discovered, and likewise, the full extent of the faunal diversity present within the archipelago is only just starting to be appreciated. This is no better exemplified than in lizards, where just 30 species (20 skinks, 10 geckos) were recognized in the 1950s, but now 104 are formally or informally recognized (61 skinks, 43 geckos). Thus, New Zealand contains one of the most diverse lizard faunas of any cool, temperate region on Earth. This book brings together the worlds leading experts in the field to produce an authoritative overview of the history, taxonomy, biogeography, ecology, life-history, physiology and conservation of New Zealand lizards.Chapter 1: Introduction (David Chapple).- Chapter 2: New Zealand lizards: a historical perspective (Glenn Shea, University of Sydney, Australia).- Chapter 3: Fossil record of New Zealand lizards (Trevor Worthy, Flinders University, Australia).- Chapter 4: Taxonomy of New Zealand lizards (David Chapple and Rod Hitchmough, NZ Department of Conservation).- Chapter 5: Biogeography of New Zealand lizards (David Chapple and Rod Hitchmough).- Chapter 6: Ecology, diet and habitat use (David Chapple).- Chapter 7: Reproduction, life history and captive breeding (Alison Cree, University of Otago, NZ).- Chapter 8: Parasites, diseases and pathogens of New Zealand lizards (Brett Gartrell, Massey University, NZ).- Chapter 9: Physiology of New Zealand lizards (Alison Cree, and Kelly Hare, Victoria University of Wellington, NZ).- Chapter 10: Sampling techniques for New Zealand lizards (Marieke Lettink, Fauna Finders, Christchurch, NZ).- Chapter 11: Conservation of New Zealand lizards (Dave Towns, Auckland University ol³"