Reptilian Incubation: Environment & Behaviour


Edited by Denis Charles Deeming



Nottingham University Press, due to be published in April 2004



This book is the first systematic review of all aspects of
incubation cross all types of reptiles. The depth of the analysis in
each chapter will mean that it quickly be a standard reference text.
Contributors are world leaders in their respective fields and were
chosen for their ability to present a comprehensive and broad
overview of the topics in question. This scientific review is long
overdue and will prove useful to researchers around the world as
well as being a valuable reference source for conservationists and
other reptile breeders.





1 – Reptilian Incubation: Principles and Evolution




Charles Deeming & David Unwin
Hatchery Consulting & Research, Lincoln, UK & Humbolt Museum of
Natural History, Berlin



2 – Nest construction and environment




Ralph Ackerman

Iowa State University, Ames, USA

3 – Egg morphology and composition




Mike Thompson & Brian Speake
University of Sydney, Australia & Scottish Agriculture, Ayr, Scotland



4 – Embryonic development




Robin Andrews
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, USA



5 – Incubation behaviour


Rick Shine

University of Sydney, Australia



6 – Effects of Incubation Temperature


Geoff Birchard
George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA



7 – Energy and water budgets of reptile eggs and embryos


Amos Ar, Ralph Ackerman, Ann Belinsky & Razi D'miel

Tel Aviv University, Israel & Iowa State University, Ames, USA



8 – Environmental Sex Determination


Nicole Valenzuela
Iowa State University, Ames, USA



9 – Phenotypic effects of incubation environment


Charles Deeming
Hatchery Consulting & Research, Lincoln, UK



10 – Practical Artificial Incubation




David Booth
University of Queensland, Australia

11 – Conclusions


Charles Deeming
Hatchery Consulting & Research, Lincoln, UK






Synopsis

Reptiles have been a topic for scientific study for many decades and
remain widely studied around the world. In particular, their
reproductive patterns and strategies have been extensively studied,
proving useful in analysis of life-history strategies. A pivotal
aspect of reptilian reproduction is incubation of eggs. Oviparity is
found in all turtles, crocodilians and the tuatara and is prevalent
in many lizards and snakes. Many aspects of the eggs, embryos and
incubation conditions have been the subject of numerous scientific
reports. This volume is dedicated to systematic analysis of
reptilian incubation. The concept for the book is to look at
reptilian eggs, development and incubation conditions in a
functional way with particular emphasis on the natural incubation
environment and, rather than concentrating on Family accounts, (e.g.
incubation in crocodilians) the chapters review the topics in all
reptile types allowing for the first time a systematic comparison of
incubation between crocodilians, turtles and squamates. In addition
to reviewing current information, the authors briefly look towards
the future and outline areas where further research is needed.



available from: http://www.deemingdc.freeserve.co.uk/Reptilian%
20Incubation%20book%20Outline.htm