Herpetology Societies & Journals: Spotlight on Emerging Groups & New Publications – Part 2

Please see Part 1 of this article for general information and details concerning some well-known, long-established groups and journals.  Today we’ll take a look at some newer organizations that cater to special interests.

International Society for the History and Bibliography of Herpetology

The name is quite a mouthful, but this favorite of mine is well-worth your time.  It fills an important and ignored niche in our field – the study of the story of herpetology and those involved in its development.  The articles in its journal, Biblotheca Herpetologica, cover matters of vital importance to our field in a most interesting fashion. Herpers both new and “seasoned” will find much of value here.

Herpetological Association of Africa

The HAA’s periodicals, The African Journal of Herpetology and African Herpetological News, have made quite a name for themselves since first appearing in 2005.  African amphibians and reptiles are the major focus of the association’s efforts, but original research articles on foreign species are also accepted.

International Society for the Study and Conservation of Amphibians

Established in 1982, the ISSCA has been catapulted into international prominence by the recent amphibian extinction crisis.  It publishes Alytes, the only international journal devoted to Batrachology (the study of amphibians), and the bulletin Circalytes.

Brazilian Society of Herpetology

BSH’s main publication, The South American Journal of Herpetology, focuses on theoretical studies of wide applicability.  Articles dealing with herps from all parts of the world are accepted.