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Updated June 2007

photo of snowy egret by B. Truiit Go to bird species reports

Go to bird species reports

 

photo of Mexican Free-tailed Bat by Texas Parks and Wildlife Go to mammal species reports

Go to mammal species reports

  

 

 

 

photo of diamondback terrapin by Willem M. Roosenburg

Go to reptile species reports Go to reptile species reports

 

photo of southern leopard frog by Walter Knapp

Go to amphibian species reports Go to bird species reports Go to amphibian species reports
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Living organisms have long been used to monitor environmental contamination. The value of biota in monitoring programs relates to their characteristic of integrating contaminant exposure and effects over time and space.
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Written summaries of biological characteristics and contaminant exposure and effects data for 49 coastal and estuarine terrestrial vertebrates are available.
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Species were selected based on their previous use in contaminant monitoring, their status as valued natural resources, or as representatives of taxonomic groups.
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Characterizations were compiled from over 1800 references obtained from literature searches of several scientific databases.
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go to ceetv introduction page go to species report introduction page go to ranking programs introduction page go to products page go to tools for teachers page go to contact page go to USGS page