herpetofauna
Herpetofauna is the collective term for reptiles and amphibians, two major vertebrate groups studied together in herpetology. Reptiles include turtles and tortoises, snakes, lizards, crocodilians, and, in some classifications, the tuataras. Amphibians include frogs and toads, salamanders and newts, and caecilians. Together they occupy a wide range of habitats worldwide, from deserts and forests to freshwater systems and, in some coastal environments, sea-associated habitats.
Biology and life history: Most herpetofauna are ectothermic, relying on external heat sources to regulate body
Ecology: Herpetofauna play critical roles in ecosystems as predators and prey, and they can serve as indicators
Conservation: Many species face declines from habitat destruction, pollution, disease (notably chytridiomycosis in amphibians), climate change,