Abstract
The methods of ophiology are varied and they depend on the purpose of the research. Compilation studies can be performed on the wealth of species present in an area (checklists) or other basic research can be done in order to understand the nature of individual species. For example, density studies can be performed with the capture-mark and recapture method. In any case, finding a sufficient number of subjects for the study often presents difficulties proportionate to the efforts needed for capture. For this reason, we often look for snakes by driving slowly and beating on high surfaces, surprising the snakes in open areas such as roads. Also, during this practice, we find snakes that were hit by traffic. The samples that are collected should be optimally stored in order to be able to perform morphological or molecular studies. The chapter concludes with an in-depth look at some snake study methods by M.A.L. Zuffi.
As long as we study Zoology, researching the limits of distribution of an animal species will always have validity.
(J. Leidy)
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Notes
- 1.
The sampling numbers per year may be even higher than one as long as the value/capture effort in the censuses is the same for each year.
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Achille, G. (2015). Field Studies. In: Snakes of Italy. SpringerBriefs in Animal Sciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-14106-0_7
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