Life-history trait database of European reptile species

By

Grimm, Annegret
Prieto Ramírez, Ana María
Moulherat, Sylvain
Reynaud, Julie
Henle, Klaus

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2014

Original Publication

BioRisk : biodiversity & ecosystem risk assessment

Volume

9

Pages

45-67

Subjects

Activity , Europe , life history traits , Lizards , Movement , Phenology , Reptilia , Sauria , Serpentes , Testudines

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/natureconservation.9.8908

 

Abstract

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.