The Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica: A herpetofauna between two continents, between two seas by Jay Savage, University of Chicago Press, $75, ISBN 0226735370 Reviewed by Adrian Barnett
Two-thirds the size of Scotland, slightly smaller than West Virginia, Costa Rica has more reptile and amphibian species than Europe. Straddling a biological crossroads between North and South America, with mist-marinated mountains and lowlands of rainforest and rain shadow drylands, Costa Rica has a profusion of lizards, snakes, salamanders, frogs, toads and caecilians.
Jay Savage provides detailed biologies for all 396 species, identification keys, and fine general introductions to each major group. Illustrated with Michael and Patricia Fogden鈥檚 magnificent photographs, The Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica is both a major reference work and a thing of great beauty.
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