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Cuban Herpetology
Barbour, T. and C.T. Ramsden. 2003. The Herpetology of Cuba
(facsimile reprint of the original 1919 edition, with an introduc-
tion by R. Ruibal). Society for the Study of Amphibians and
Reptiles, Ithaca, New York. vii + 142 pp. (numbered 71–213 +
cover and 15 plates, as in the original publication). Hardcover.
$55.00.
Rodríguez Schettino, L. (ed.). 1999. The Iguanid Lizards of
Cuba. University Press of Florida, Gainesville. xx + 428 pp.
Hardcover. $85.00.
Rodríguez Schettino, L. (ed.). 2003. Anfibios y Reptiles de Cuba.
Photography by J. Larramendi Joa. Instituto de Ecología y
Sistemática, La Habana, Cuba. vi + 169 pp. Hardcover. U.S.
price not established (currently unavailable).

About 200 species of amphibians and reptiles are known to occur
in Cuba, and more are being described each year as researchers
more thoroughly investigate that island nation’s less-explored
regions and implement modern methods to better understand
relationships within this phenomenally diverse herpetofauna.
Our collective knowledge of the Cuban biota is growing expo-
nentially, and ecological and behavioral work on at least some
species is beginning to catch up with systematic research, but the
biodiversity remains one of the least well-documented in the
Americas. Although geographically proximate to the United
States, current political realities preclude most U.S. citizens (and
researchers) from experiencing Cuba’s many unique biotic com-
munities. Residents of other nations are free to travel to Cuba,
but most of the recent work on amphibians and reptiles is being
conducted by Cuban nationals, whose commitment and expert-
ise is frequently impaired by scarce resources, both human and
material — and both the quality and quantity of their work is
testament to their dedication.

In this brief review, I introduce the reader to three recently
published volumes (one a reprint of an historically important
work that appeared initially in 1919). They collectively serve as
an effective introduction to Cuba’s amphibians and reptiles.

Thomas Barbour and Charles Ramsden’s synthesis of all that
was known in 1919 about Cuban herpetology was an update of
Juan Gundlach’s 1880 Erpetología Cubana. In the foreword of the
original edition, Barbour noted that “… in the natural course of
events many changes have taken place since that time [1880] which
have affected the nomenclature and status of the species treated,
while new forms have been discovered.” That statement would be
just as relevant today. Barbour and Ramsden’s work listed 68
species and two more were added in a postscript. This stands in
stark contrast to the approximately 200 Cuban species recognized
today. Also, in addition to the many new taxa, much of the
nomenclature has changed (a perpetual process that is as necessary
as it is sometimes confusing; see, for example, the article on p. 78
of this issue) and we have certainly learned much about the distri-
butions and ecological relationships of the various species.

The question may arise why anyone other than the most
ardent bibliophile would want to invest in a reprint of a very old

book, much of the content of which is dramatically out-of-date.
I would respond that the study of history is just as important in
biology as in world affairs. We gain considerably by knowing
where we’ve been; if nothing else, such knowledge provides us
with insights on how we’ve gotten to where we are now and may
also tease us with a glimpse of where we might go in the future.
Furthermore, Barbour’s writing (he claimed responsibility for
having written the text, noting that Ramsden’s contributions con-
sisted mostly of information gleaned during his many years of
residency in eastern Cuba) clearly demonstrated not only his
knowledge but also his passion for the fauna and all things
Cuban. Rudofo Ruibal, in his introduction to the facsimile

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reprint, made a point of stating that Barbour described himself
as “aplatanado” (bananafied), a Cuban term for a foreigner who
has acquired Cuban characteristics. That attitude is clearly evi-
dent, causing a perusal of the book to be pleasurable as well as
educational.

The Iguanid Lizards of Cuba is a thorough review of the phe-
nomenally diverse Cuban species in the family Iguanidae (sensu
lato; for discussion of the familial status, see the article by Köhler
et al., IGUANA 10(3): 79–81). After an introduction, which
includes an overview of the subject and a summary of studies on
Cuban species, chapters of varying length and detail cover mor-
phology (with keys to the identification of Cuban species), ecol-
ogy and behavior, genetics, parasites, and biogeography. These
are followed by systematic accounts of the Cuban species. Each
account provides a list of synonyms, an overview of the species’
geographic range followed by a list of specific localities, coverage
of subspecies (if applicable), a detailed description, a list of bibli-
ographic sources arranged by topic, notations of morphological,
geographic, sexual, and age variation, and extensive comments
on natural history. As one might suspect, the accounts for the bet-
ter known species are extensive and those for the species that have

received less attention are often quite cursory. However, nowhere
else can one find as much readily attainable information in one
place. Each account is accompanied by a detailed dot map.
Centrally located color plates provide illustrations of each species.
These were painted from live models by Lázaro González Pino.
Many are striking, although a few seem to be a bit too stylized
for my taste; nevertheless, the illustrations, although live models
were used, often are more effective than photographs in docu-
menting the principal characteristics of each taxon. Also included
in the plates is a current vegetation map of Cuba, which confirms
the common plight of so many island nations and clearly shows
that most of the land is devoted to cultivation or pastures.

This book, like that by Barbour and Ramsden, was written
for professional biologists, but the effectively edited text renders
it fully accessible to the informed amateur. Also, although illus-
trated, this is less a taxonomic handbook or guide than it is a phe-
nomenally valuable reference and resource for those who are seri-
ous about the study of West Indian reptiles.

The third volume in this brief summary poses an unfortu-
nate conundrum. Although potentially of the greatest interest to
the greatest number of readers, it is by far the least accessible of

Representations of Cyclura nubila: “Cyclura macleayi” from the Valley
of Luis Lazo, western Cuba (from Plate 11 in The Herpetology of
Cuba) (upper left); adult male and juvenile (plates 7 & 8 in The
Iguanid Lizards of Cuba) (above); Iguana (from Anfibios y Reptiles de
Cuba) (left).



these three books. Not only is it written in Spanish, it is essen-
tially unavailable in the United States at this time. If those hur-
dles are overcome, however, this volume provides a very effective
introduction to the Cuban herpetofauna. The science is solid
enough to hold the interest of a professional, but the coverage is
very user-friendly. Lacking much of the often stultifying detail of
Iguanid Lizards, this book concentrates on the bigger picture,
addressing questions like: What species live where and why?
What do they do to make a living? How do they interact with
the nation’s human population? What are the principal conser-
vation needs? Furthermore, the book is profusely illustrated with
photos of many species and habitats, some of them absolutely
breath-taking. It’s a pleasure to merely flip the pages, even if one
can’t read a single word.

The initial chapter, by the editor and entitled “Generalities,”
introduces the reader to the herpetofauna, describes amphibians
and reptiles in broad terms using Cuban species as examples, and
provides an overview of the island’s myriad habitats. Subsequent
chapters are organized by topics, some of them based on system-
atic relationships, others on habitat-dependent communities, and
still others by particularly intriguing subjects. Contributing
authors addressed their own areas of expertise and interest, yet
the composite flows nicely, a tribute to the editor and to decisions
regarding the common format elements that provide continuity.
Individual chapters address treefrogs, cave dwellers, inhabitants
of the leaf litter, aquatic frogs, frogs of the city, tiny anurans,
toads, reptilian morphology and color, giants and dwarves, ter-
restrial lizards and snakes, anoles, aquatic reptiles, species that
function as human commensals, popular myths, beliefs, and uses
of amphibians and reptiles, and endangered species. That on
myths, beliefs, and uses, albeit uniquely Cuban in nature, reads
surprisingly like comparable chapters detailing the many mis-
perceptions North Americans have about amphibians and rep-
tiles, and the exploitation of many species is but a local chapter
in a worldwide volume of abuses. Similarly, the chapter on con-
servation needs, although focusing on Cuban concerns, deals
with situations equally applicable to those of any country, espe-
cially those of developing island nations. A checklist showing dis-
tribution by biotic provinces, a glossary, a short list of selected ref-
erences, and information about the authors complete the volume.

Other than the expected discrepancies between the cover-
ages of common, well-studied species and those about which
almost nothing is known, the book provides a surprisingly com-
plete coverage. I sometimes found myself wishing for references
to source publications, but then I remembered that the intended
audience wasn’t the professional biologist. I also wanted more
detailed accounts of individual species, but had to remind myself
that this volume was designed to serve as an overview and not as
an intensive reference. Its stated goals, however, to educate and
entertain, are admirably achieved. My wanting more speaks elo-
quently to the quality of what is there. One can only hope for an
English translation in the near future.

So, should readers invest a considerable sum of money and
possibly even more effort to acquire these books, none of which
are likely to be found on the shelves of major retailers or in a
neighborhood library? I can’t speak for everyone, but I did — and
am eminently pleased that I did. I enjoyed each book the first
time I opened its pages, and I not infrequently pull one or more

of them from the shelf, often to look up a particular piece of
information, but at least occasionally to merely experience, albeit
vicariously, the Cuban amphibians and reptiles I would dearly
love to study firsthand, an opportunity so far denied, except for
an all-too brief visit to the Guantanamo Naval Base on a trip to
Navassa Island — but that’s another story altogether.

Robert Powell
Avila University

Kansas City, Missouri

128 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 11, NUMBER 2  •  JUNE 2004 BOOK REVIEWS

Additional References
Readers who have an interest in the Cuban herpeto-
fauna, or that of the West Indies in general, or merely
enjoy the historical perspectives of herpetology might
want to examine the following volumes:

Crother, B.I. (ed.). 1999. Caribbean Amphibians and Reptiles.
Academic Press, San Diego, California. This edited volume
includes an historical perspective, detailed reviews of the
Greater Antillean islands and of the Lesser Antilles (that on
Cuba, by Alberto Estrada and Rodolfo Ruibal, is particularly
pertinent to this review), plus chapters on ecology, evolu-
tionary relationships, biogeography, and a comparison of the
West Indian and Middle American faunas.

Henderson, R.W. and R. Powell (eds.). 2003. Islands and the Sea:
Essays on Herpetological Exploration in the West Indies.
Contributions to Herpetology, volume 20. Society for the
Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Ithaca, New York
(reviewed by Rick Hudson, IGUANA 10(4): 151–152).
Although written by many of the same scientists who con-
tributed to some of the other volumes listed here, the essays
contained in this book tell of experiences and events.
Although many of the chapters are informative, the delight
comes from hearing the stories to which anyone who has
participated in fieldwork can relate. An introduction and a
chapter on historical perspectives provide some context, with
the emphasis on people and their impressions rather than
their research.

Powell, R. and R.W. Henderson (eds.). 1996. Contributions to
West Indian Herpetology: A Tribute to Albert Schwartz.
Contributions to Herpetology, volume 12. Society for the
Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Ithaca, New York. Still
another edited volume, this book includes vignettes about
Albert Schwartz, in whose memory it was published, an his-
torical perspective, a checklist of West Indian species (since
updated on two occasions in Herpetological Review), and 27
research reports by various scientists working in the region.

Schwartz, A. and R.W. Henderson. 1991. Amphibians and Reptiles
of the West Indies: Descriptions, Distributions, and Natural
History. University of Florida Press, Gainesville. This volume
provides detailed descriptions, dot maps, and extensive notes
on the natural history of the region’s many species of
amphibians and reptiles. Note that this is not a guide, ani-
mals are not illustrated — but, for anyone with more than a
casual interest in the topic, this volume is essential. The brief
“envoi” testifies to the passion of the authors.


