| OCR Text |
Show 202 HERPETOFAUNA Compared to other vertebrate fauna, very little study has been made of the amphibians and reptiles in Utah, especially in the Great Salt Lake area. Woodburg ( 1931), Morris and Tanner ( 1969) express the common opinion that there is a need for further investigation into the geographical distribution, faunal relations, and the derivation of Utah's reptilian and amphibian fauna. Morris and Tanner also feel that, aside from the knowledge gained from laboratory studies, " to understand the reactions and behavior of an animal within its complex environment, one must still of necessity go directly to nature." However, according to Stebbins ( 1966), the opportunities for further field study of herpetofauna are rapidly declining. He says that due to the increase in human population, leading to an increase in the disturbance of the animals' habitats, the number of reptiles, amphibians and other wildlife are declining. Woodbury ( 1931) offers the following information concerning reptilian faunal relations in Utah. He states that because reptiles generally spread from warmer to cooler regions, most of our forms belong to species whose range lies to the south. Northern Mexico has served as the center of dispersal for United States forms, spreading to the northeast through Texas, to the north through the Rocky Mountains, and to the northwest through the deserts of Arizona. Several forms which probably reached Utah from the south have spread beyond and may be considered Great Basin forms. These include Crotaphytus o. baitegi3 Crotaphytus wisVizenii, 3 Sceloporus g. graciosus3 Pherynosoma d. omatissimum3 Masticophis t. taoniatus3 Rhinooheilus |
