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this effort, 7% of the 10 × 10 km units (chiefly in Basilicata andSardegna [Sardinia]) have no records for any species.A short chapter on altitudinal distribution presents data in theform of bar graphs by province and shows the results of a simplecluster analysis. Figure 4.1 (p. 142) would have been easier to usehad the areas mentioned been clearly indicated on the map.The final prelude to the accounts themselves is a checklist withtaxonomic remarks. Ninety-one species (40 amphibians and 51reptiles) inhabit Italian territory. The list is accompanied by extensiveendnotes that provide useful information on dates of publicationof names, ICZN rulings, recent generic allocations, andinstances of taxonomic confusion, conflict, or uncertainty in theItalian herpetofauna.The species accounts themselves begin with a convenient “howto read distributional maps” section. Each account except two ofthe sea turtles, Chelonia mydas and Dermochelys coriacea, andthe naturalized Red-Eared slider, Trachymys scripta, is accompaniedby full page, color, topographic map, marked with a half degreegrid. Plotted points are divided into 1984 and earlier records,1985 and later records from the SHI database, other records withoutspecific locality (some provinces provided only imprecise localitiesto protect the animals), and doubtful records. Account sectionsare: taxonomy (including phylogenetics), general distribution,comments on the distribution map (often very detailed), habitat,altitudinal distribution, annual activity cycle, reproduction, andstatus of populations in Italy. All accounts are illustrated by multiplecolor photos. For some species these include eggs, larvae orjuveniles, and views of courtship. In general the quality of thephotos is good—only a photo of the venter of Bombina pachypus(p. 274) appears out of focus. The provenance of most photos isnoted and the majority of photos actually depict Italian specimens.Chapter 7 by Corti, Lo Cascio, and Razzetti is an overview ofthe Italian island herpetofaunas. The island groups include the relativelyextensive island groups surrounding Sardinia and Sicily andoff the coast of Tuscany, as well as the smaller archipelagoes andislands of Liguria, Latium (the Pontine Islands), Venetia, and southernItaly (Campania, Basilicata, Calabria, and Apulia). An extensivetable provides species lists by island and a short text sectionoutlines relevant literature and taxonomic issues. The islands havea disproportionately high number of outstanding taxonomic problemsand conservation issues as many subspecies and even specieshave been described from them.Razzetti and Sindaco briefly discuss 15 additional unconfirmedtaxa that may or may not occur in Italy. Some are introductions(e.g., Xenopus laevis and Agama agama), whereas others approachthe borders of Italy and might eventually be added to the fauna(e.g., Rana arvalis and Pseudopus apodus). Most interesting isthe bizarre case of Rana osca, which the authors conclude is asynonym of R. italica—it was described multiple times, once inan unlocatable reference of uncertain date, and its type materialappears to have disappeared within a decade of its description.A biogeographic chapter by Bologna and Mazzotti reviews thegeological history of Italy from the mid-Tertiary onwards andemphasizes the diversity of spatial patterns reflected by theherpetofauna and the resulting biogeographic mosaic. Among thefaunal components recognized are widespread Euro-Asiatic elements,Western and Eastern Mediterranean forms, North Africanspecies, and peninsular, Sardinian, and Sicilian endemics. Of particularnote are taxa with affinities outside of Europe, e.g.,Speleomantes and Proteus, each with North American sister taxa.A variety of historical factors, including the Messinian salinitycrisis and glacial advance and retreat, are proposed to explain someof the observed affinities of the fauna. Italian endemism at thespecies level is especially high for amphibians (50%), whereasreptile endemism is lower (17%) and largely restricted to Sardiniaand Sicily, which are the most distinctive herpetofaunal regions ofthe country based on cluster analysis.The last two chapters deal with herpetofaunal conservation andlegislation. In Chapter 10, Roberto Sindaco evaluates the status ofthe Italian herpetofauna. Like most amphibians and reptiles worldwide,a lack of data regarding threats and population sizes necessitatescategorization based chiefly on areas of occupancy andhabitat fragmentation. All taxa are assigned to categories basedon this information as well as the proportion of the global range inItaly and, for endemics, the specific nature of their distribution(e.g., insular or mainland). In the following chapter Vincenzo Ferrioutlines the complex set of regulations than govern the protectionof the herpetofauna. This includes European, Italian, and provincialstatutes, some of which protect certain species and others ofwhich focus on habitat protection. Tables summarize the categorizationof each species under the Bern Convention, the EuropeanUnion Habitats Directive, and CITES. All species are covered underthe Bern Convention, and most by the Habitats Directive, but onlysea turtles, tortoises, and Vipera ursinii are CITES listed. Twentoneregional and provincial laws affecting amphibians and reptilesare also summarized.As is fitting for such a comprehensive volume, the bibliographyincludes more than 1500 references, a resource in itself, as notedby Benedetto Lanza in his preface to the book. In a welcome changefrom many recent books, a good deal of care seems to have beenpaid to bibliographic accuracy. Finally the book concludes withshort biographical sketches of the 54 authors who contributed tothe volume, photo credits, and a taxonomic index listing entriesby genus, species, and both English and Italian common name.Unfortunately, the references only relate to the species accountsproper; mentions in other chapters are not cited.Aside from the inadequacy of the index, I find little to criticizein this aesthetically attractive volume. Although my knowledge ofItalian is rudimentary, it appears that the English translation isfaithful. The information provided is up-to-date and I especiallyappreciate the fact that potentially confusing taxonomic and distributionalissues are explained and that the reader is lead to theoriginal literature throughout the book. This volume is a testamentto the vibrant herpetological community in Italy today. Inaddition to producing this atlas, the highly active SocietasHerpetologica Italica has also recently launched the predominantlyEnglish language journal, Acta Herpetologica. I highly recommendthe Atlas of Italian Amphibians and Reptiles to anyone withan interest in any aspect of the European herpetofauna.LITERATURE CITEDSOCIETAS HERPETOLOGICA ITALICA. 1996. Atlante provisorio degli Anfibi edei Rettili italiani. Ann. Mus. Civ. Stor. Nat. G. Doria 91:95–178.248 Herpetological Review 39(2), 2008