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The Amphibians and Reptiles of Michigan

A Quaternary and Recent Faunal Adventure

By J. Alan Holman

Publication Year: 2012

With its temperate climate and variety of habitats, Michigan supports a diverse array of animals and plants, including fifty-four species of amphibians and reptiles. The dispersal and biology of the Michigan herpetofauna—amphibians and reptiles—is even more unique because Michigan consists of two peninsulas that project into large freshwater seas and also because it was completely covered by a massive ice sheet a relatively short time ago. In The Amphibians and Reptiles of Michigan: A Quaternary and Recent Faunal Adventure, author J. Alan Holman explores the state’s amphibians and reptiles in detail and with many helpful illustrations, making this the only volume of its kind available. Holman uniquely bridges the gap between neo- and paleoherpetology and shows that Michigan’s modern herpetofaunas reflect Pleistocene (ice age) and Holocene (warm period after the ice age) events, as the entire modern population was forced to re-invade the state after the last withdrawal of ice. In Part 1, Holman discusses Michigan as an amphibian and reptile habitat, including a geological, climatic, and vegetational history. Part 2 presents recent species accounts, covering all fifty-four species of amphibians and reptiles, along with their general distribution, Michigan distribution (with range maps), geographic variation, habitat and habits, reproduction and growth, diet, predation and defense, interaction with humans, behavioral characteristics, population health, and general remarks. In Part 3, Holman examines the Michigan herpetofauna in Quaternary and recent historical times and the species accounts include Pleistocene, Holocene, and archaeological records. Color photographs of major herpetological habitats in Michigan are provided and color photographs of all modern species are included. Black-and-white illustrations depict both modern and ancient speicies. Herpetologists, paleontologists, zoologists, ecologists, and general biologists, as well as anyone who loves salamanders, frogs, turtles, and snakes will appreciate the comprehensive research presented in The Amphibians and Reptiles of Michigan.

Published by: Wayne State University Press

Cover

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Copyright

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Dedication

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Publisher’s Note

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Contents

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Preface

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pp. xv-xvi

Michigan, an ecologically transitional border state with Canada, is blessed with seventysix natural communities (Michigan Natural Features Inventory 2007) that together support a diverse assemblage of animals and plants, including fifty-four species of amphibians and reptiles. Because...

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Acknowledgments

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pp. xvii-

I gratefully acknowledge those special individuals who have shared their interest in Michigan amphibians and reptiles with me. This book could not have been written without them. These people are Laura Abraczinskas, Kenneth Andrews, James Ball, Gary...

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A Note on the Species Range Maps

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pp. xix-

Since 1991 I have endeavored to document the distribution of the species of amphibians and reptiles in Michigan by checking as many literature and museum records as possible (see Holman 2004) as well as records documented by herpetologists presently active in Michigan....

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Part 1. Introduction: Michigan as a Herpetological Habitat

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pp. 1-25

Michigan is a geographically unique state, consisting of two large peninsulas that penetrate large inland freshwater seas separated from each other by only a few miles of water (see fi g. 1). The physical and biological conditions...

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Part 2. Species Accounts

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pp. 27-209

Following is a checklist of the amphibians and reptiles of Michigan. For scientific names down to the family level, I follow Frost (1985) for salamanders and anurans, Ernst and Lovich (2009) for turtles, Estes (1983) for lizards (with the exception that the Squamata...

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Part 3. Quaternary Remains of Michigan Amphibians and Reptiles

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pp. 211-251

This part of the book deals with Michigan amphibian and reptile remains that have been excavated from Quaternary paleontological and archaeological sites in Michigan. The Quaternary period represents the last 1.8 million years before the present...

References

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pp. 253-275

General Index

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pp. 277-283

Taxonomic Index

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pp. 285-287

Site Index

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pp. 289-291


E-ISBN-13: 9780814337134
Print-ISBN-13: 9780814332399

Page Count: 320
Illustrations: 165
Publication Year: 2012

Edition: 1
Series Title: Great Lakes Books

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Subject Headings

  • Amphibians -- Michigan.
  • Reptiles -- Michigan.
  • Amphibians, Fossil -- Michigan.
  • Reptiles, Fossil -- Michigan.
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