By LeAnn Askins

An Arkansas State University professor is hoping more than 30 years of research will help residents better understand local amphibians and reptiles.

Dr. Stanley E. Trauth, primary author and professor of zoology at ASU, said the end result of the more than three decades of study is a new book titled "The Amphibians and Reptiles of Arkansas."

"The beginnings of the book were back in the mid-1970s," Trauth said.

Co-authors of the book, Henry W. Robison and Michael V. Plummer, came up with the idea of writing a book showcasing the amphibians and reptiles of specific areas of the state, but decided to extend the study to the entire state.

The two men took on specific areas of study and were helped by another man for a while. Their third partner relocated, leaving Robison and Plummer looking for someone else to help with the project.

That was where Trauth entered the picture, he said.

In 1980 he was asked not only to help with the book but also to serve as lead author.

"I was familiar with the state, so I agreed to do it," said the former Mountain Home resident.

When he returned to the state after stints in several other areas and began working at ASU in 1984, the professor decided he should learn more about amphibians and reptiles in Arkansas as part of his research for the book.

During the 1990s, Trauth took a lot of pictures as part of his research. He also started taking photos of animals in various stages of development.

"That has become a true selling point for the scientists out there," the professor said.

He explained that showing all stages of development in detail for an amphibian or reptile in one book is unusual, especially when the stages are shown in color photographs.

Exploring everything from salamanders to snakes and toads to turtles, the more than 400 page book has 545 color photos and more than 300 black and white illustrations.

As technology advanced in the 1990s, Trauth was able to use computer graphics and photo editing programs to speed up work on the book.

By the late 1990s, the professor said he was finally able to tell the co-authors that the book soon would be complete.

A first draft was developed in 1999, including information from all three men.

There was one problem with the draft -- it covered more than 600 pages and needed to be shortened.

"At that point we knew there was hope" of publication, Trauth said.

Although he points to the work as containing helpful information on identifying amphibians and reptiles, Trauth said the volume includes much more.

"The book is about photography ... and making it so people could look at and recognize" animals based on pictures.

Trauth said that the book was designed for scientists, but by using the illustrations, photos and keys that anyone could use, the book has value to many people.

The author said that people have trouble identifying some snakes, but the book should make it easy to distinguish between snakes that are similar in some respects.

"The photographs will appeal to the public," he continued, adding that the book can be used by children as well as adults.

In fact, Trauth said he hopes inquisitive children will enjoy using the book as a hobby.

Trauth said that some funding from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission helped drop the price of the volume, a factor that should make it more accessible to the general public. The retail price of $45 is $30 less that he expected the book to sell for. And that's thanks to Game and Fish, the professor said.

Several local book signings are planned in the coming weeks, including one at 10 a.m. Aug. 28 in conjunction with the grand opening of Crowley's Ridge Nature Center.

Details are still being worked out for signings at ASU and in Blytheville.

The book, published by The University of Arkansas Press, is available on the organization's Web site as well as from Amazon.com. Trauth said the book will be sold locally as well.

On the Net:

www.uapress.com