CNAH (Center for North American Herpetology) Announcement: New Book Available Gratis

A Runaway Train in the Making; The Exootic Amphibians, Reptiles, Turtles and Crocodilians of Florida by Walter E. Meshaka, Jr., 2011. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 6 (Monograph 1): 1-101

From the Introduction: As of 2004, 40 exotic species of herpetofauna occurred in established populations in Florida (Meshaka et al. 2004a), and two years later, Meshaka (2006) reviewed the inclusion of six more species. Yet another species appeared as established in 2007. In light of a wealth of new published information since Meshaka et al. (2004a) went to press and a continuing accumulation of new exotic species and colonies of existing exotic species, it became apparent that an update of Meshaka et al. (2004a) was warranted. Thus, this new edition is both a snapshot in time and a progress report, providing a summary of Florida’s exotic herpetofaunal phenomenon. Its goal remains unchanged: to convey to an audience of budding naturalists, land managers, professional biologists, and those at regulatory institutions what is currently known and unknown about the established ecology and colonization dynamics of each established species. This will better enable interested individuals to understand the colonization process and will provide them useful information with which to make wise management decisions.

CNAH Note: This book is highly recommended; Walter Meshaka is the leading authority on North America's exotic herpetofauna. He maintains a North American exotic web site that is updated daily at http://www.cnah.org/ex_nameslist.asp