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(NOTE: Illinois specific lists are marked with )

CURATOR & STAFF

Dr. Christopher A. Phillips, Herpetology Curator
John E. Petzing, Collection Manager
Christine A. Mayer, Database Manager

ABOUT THE AMPHIBIAN & REPTILE COLLECTION

The Illinois Natural History Amphibian and Reptile Collection contains approximately 14,844 catalogued specimens, representing 55 families and over 550 species (51% Amphibia, 49% Reptilia). The geographical emphasis is Illinois (66%). This is the result of the efforts of P.W. Smith, who collected specimens from 1935 to 1949 for his comprehensive study "The Amphibians and Reptiles of Illinois," published in 1961. In addition to the Illinois material, the INHS collection also houses specimens from 45 other U.S. states, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, South America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. Most notable among these are specimens collected by P.W. Smith from California (1943-1952) and Mexico (1957-1965), specimens of S.A. Minton from Pakistan, Mexico and Texas and specimens from Thailand collected by R.W. Larimore (1963).

In October 1997, the INHS took over curation and management of the University of Illinois Museum of Natural History Amphibian and Reptile Collection.

SPECIES LISTS, DATABASES & DISTRIBUTIONS

• Amphibian & Reptile Type Collection Database
•  Illinois Amphibian & Reptile Distributions
• By County
• By Species
•  Illinois Snake Key
• Amphibian Species List
• Reptile Species List
• University of Illinois Museum of Natural History Collection Database
• INHS Amphibian & Reptile Collection Database
• Vouchered Specimens in IL by County

RESEARCH

• Current research & past projects
• Collaborations
• Publications

OUTREACH

The INHS Herpetology Staff averages four outreach programs a year. Call Chris Phillips (217) 244-7077 or Mike Jeffords (217) 333-5986 for more information.

LINKS

• What is Herpetology?
• Field Guide to Amphibians & Reptiles
• Illinois Herpetologists
• Threatened & Endangered Species in IL
• Draft ephemeral wetlands pamphlet (downloads a large .pdf file)
• US Central Division Working Group of the Declining Amphibian Populations Task Force (DAPTF)
• Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC)
• Chicago Wilderness Calling Frog Survey
• Chicago Herpetological Society
• EMBL Reptile Database
• The Sistrurus Information Network
• IPFW Center for Reptile and Amphibian Conservation and Management
• James Cook University Herpetological Links Page
• Frog calls