Published by Sinauer Associates, an imprint of Oxford University Press. Herpetology, Fourth Edition, explains why amphibians and reptiles, which are distantly related evolutionary lineages, are nonetheless grouped in the discipline known as herpetology, and describes the position of amphibians and reptiles within the evolution of vertebrates. This book includes a nearly complete overhaul of the systematics sections (including new distribution maps) to reflect numerous recent revisions. Where taxonomic incongruence or controversy exists, recent alternative hypotheses are reported, emphasizing the complexities of phylogenetic inference and persistent knowledge gaps rather than misleading the uninitiated reader with single, arbitrarily resolved trees. Those familiar with previous editions will be immediately taken by the artistry of the images, both the extensive use of color photographs and the masterfully redrawn illustrations and data figures, which capture many fascinating aspects of the lives of our favorite animals. Instructors, and especially the current generation of herpetology students, will welcome the online supplemental materials, which include links to websites with herpetological information, videos, and news stories relevant to each chapter."