Reptiles of Central America Köhler, Gunther 360 S., 644 FF.

Reptiles of Central America
Central America is one of the world´s foremost biodiversity hotspots a region
characterized by a high level of species richness and endemism. This book is a
completely up-dated and fully illustrated guide to the 533 species of reptiles that
are known to occur in the region extending from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in Mexico
to the southern extent of the Panamanian isthmus (southern Mexico, Guatemala,
Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama). It is based
on extensive field research carried out by the author and also on a thorough
analysis of the scientific literature, producing a Literature Cited section of several
hundred entries.

Special features:
The species accounts and keys for identification will prove useful to anyone who has a
doubt about what reptile is in hand. The text is accompanied by professional quality color
photographs of more than 400 of the 525 species and expertly done line drawings
of diagnostic features. Generalized distribution maps for all reptile species. The
16.5 cm by 23.5 cm (6 and 1/2 by 9 inch) size is convenient for portage into the
field.
Finally, after more than three decades, we have a fitting modern treatment of the
herpetofauna of Middle America, which has been wanting since the classic work by James
L. Peters and his coworkers appeared in 1970. Middle America is an important
reservoir of herpetodiversity, much of which evolved in situ, and it deserves the kind
of attention Gunther Köhler has provided.? Larry David Wilson (from foreword to
the book)