Life-history trait database of European reptile species

Life-history data are essential for providing answers to a wide range of questions in evolution, ecology, and conservation biology. While life history data for many species, especially plants, are available online, life history traits of European reptiles are available only widely scattered in diffe...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Annegret Grimm, Ana María Prieto Ramírez, Sylvain Moulherat, Julie Reynaud, Klaus Henle
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Pensoft Publishers 2014-12-01
Series:Nature Conservation
Online Access:http://natureconservation.pensoft.net/lib/ajax_srv/article_elements_srv.php?action=download_pdf&item_id=4401
Description
Summary:Life-history data are essential for providing answers to a wide range of questions in evolution, ecology, and conservation biology. While life history data for many species, especially plants, are available online, life history traits of European reptiles are available only widely scattered in different languages and primarily in printed media. For this reason, we generated a comprehensive trait database covering all European reptile species. Data were compiled by searching the peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed literature. The database covers the whole of Europe and neighbouring Asian and African countries. Traits were categorised under five main headings: Activity / Energy / Habitat; Phenology; Movement; Sexual Maturity; and Morphometry. To ensure that the data were standardised, we defined trait data categories before we started compiling data. All entries were checked by at least one other person. The dataset provides a unique source for meta-analyses and modelling in ecology and conservation biology.
ISSN:1314-6947
1314-3301