Herptile

Of all the vertebrates, the herptiles (reptiles and amphibians), mammals and birds predominate in terrestrial grassland ecosystems.

Because of the higher primary and secondary productivity in treatment wetlands compared to natural wetlands, herptile populations and all other higher consumer groups are frequently abundant.

Forty vertebrates [=forty vertebrate species] of concern, including 13 mammals, 17 birds, and 10 herptiles, were selected for analysis (Table 19-3).