3.8 Reptiles
Programs and information from the North Carolina Herpetological Society (NCHS), the USGS ARMI, and NCPARC are important resources for conservation of North Carolina’s native reptile species.
An online database for tracking reptiles is the Carolina Herp Atlas, developed by Davidson College Herpetology Laboratory. Tis program tracks county-level distribu- tion information for native species in North and South Carolina and is available online at www.carolinaherpatlas.org. Davidson College also maintains an online identif- cation and information guide, Amphibians and Reptiles of North Carolina (www.herp- sofnc.org).
Diamondback Terrapin (Melissa McGaw, NCWRC)
Taxonomic classifcation and agreement on naming conventions for some species are likely to be unsettled until scientifc evidence supporting any recommended changes becomes widely accepted. Resources for information about changes in classifcation include the Center for North American Herpetology (CNAH), an organization that serves as a data bank for information about North American amphibians, turtles, reptiles, and crocodilians. Published research literature documenting taxonomic changes is available online at www. cnah.org. Te CNAH web page also provides a link to peer-reviewed articles published in the Journal of North American Herpetology and access to articles in the Contemporary Herpetology journal archives. Another resource for amphibian taxonomy is the American Museum of Natural History Amphibian Species of the World online reference database, available online at http://research.amnh.org/vz/herpetology/amphibia. 3.8.8 Recommendations In general, protection and restoration of natural community composition and function, and protection of surrounding natural areas under current conditions are the best ways to ensure suitable habitats are available for these species. Measures that protect a large and diverse group of populations are the best way to ensure that species are able to survive future stresses and adapt to changing climate conditions. Table 3.24 lists the species for which there are research priorities. Surveys. Distributional and status surveys need to focus on species believed to be declin- ing or mainly dependent on at-risk or sensitive natural communities.
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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