Tetrapods: Out on a limb

To further your exploration of tetrapods—from the evolutionary "hero's journey" out of the water to the specific species thriving in the Sid Valley—the following websites provide excellent scientific data, identification guides, and citizen science opportunities.

Local & Regional Experts (Sid Valley & Devon)

• The Sid Valley Biodiversity Group: The primary resource for local wildlife sightings and conservation efforts specific to Sidmouth.

  • Link: sidvalleybiodiversity.org.uk

• Devon Wildlife Trust: Manage local reserves like Lower Knapp Pond and provide specific guides on Devon's unique species.

  • Link: devonwildlifetrust.org

• The Donkey Sanctuary (Wildlife Section): Their land management supports a vast array of local tetrapods, including rare birds and mammals.

  • Link: thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/wildlife

National Species Specialists

• Froglife (Amphibians & Reptiles): Detailed identification guides for everything from "star jelly" to the Palmate Newt.

  • Link: froglife.org

• The Mammal Society: Professional resources on UK mammals and home to the "Mammal Mapper" app for recording sightings.

  • Link: mammal.org.uk

• RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds): An A–Z bird guide with sound clips to help you identify calls you hear in the Sid Valley.

  • Link: rspb.org.uk

• ARC (Amphibian and Reptile Conservation): Focuses on the conservation of the UK’s native herpetofauna and their habitats.

  • Link: arc-trust.org

Evolutionary History & Education

• Understanding Evolution (UC Berkeley): The "gold standard" for learning about the transition from lobe-finned fish to terrestrial tetrapods.

  • Link: evolution.berkeley.edu

• The Natural History Museum (London): Access high-resolution images and research on transitional fossils like Tiktaalik.

  • Link: nhm.ac.uk

• Tree of Life Web Project: A collaborative tool to visualise the biological "tree" and how the four classes of tetrapods are interconnected.

  • Link: tolweb.org