The American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH) is an international

learned society A learned society (; also learned academy, scholarly society, or academic association) is an organization that exists to promote an academic discipline, profession, or a group of related disciplines such as the arts and science. Membership ...

devoted to the scientific studies of

ichthyology Ichthyology is the branch of zoology devoted to the study of fish, including bony fish ( Osteichthyes), cartilaginous fish ( Chondrichthyes), and jawless fish ( Agnatha). According to FishBase, 33,400 species of fish had been described as of Oct ...

(study of fish) and

herpetology Herpetology (from Greek ἑρπετόν ''herpetón'', meaning "reptile" or "creeping animal") is the branch of zoology concerned with the study of amphibians (including frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and caecilians ( gymnophiona)) and ...

(study of

reptile Reptiles, as most commonly defined are the animals in the class Reptilia ( ), a paraphyletic grouping comprising all sauropsids except birds. Living reptiles comprise turtles, crocodilians, squamates ( lizards and snakes) and rhynchocephalia ...

s and

amphibian Amphibians are four-limbed and ectothermic vertebrates of the class Amphibia. All living amphibians belong to the group Lissamphibia. They inhabit a wide variety of habitats, with most species living within terrestrial, fossorial, arbo ...

s). The primary emphases of the society are to increase knowledge about these organisms, to communicate that knowledge through publications, conferences, and other methods, and to encourage and support young scientists who will make future advances in these fields. The programs of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists are part of a global effort to interpret, understand, and conserve the Earth's natural diversity and to contribute to the wise use of natural resources for the long-term benefit of humankind.

History

On December 27, 1913,

John Treadwell Nichols John Treadwell Nichols (June 11, 1883 – November 10, 1958) was an American ichthyologist and ornithologist. Life and career Nichols was born in Jamaica Plain, Boston, Massachusetts, the son of Mary Blake (Slocum) and John White Treadwell Nic ...

published the first issue of ''Copeia'' (since first 2021 issue called '' Ichthyology & Herpetology''), a

scientific journal In academic publishing, a scientific journal is a periodical publication intended to further the progress of science, usually by reporting new research. Content Articles in scientific journals are mostly written by active scientists such ...

dedicated to the knowledge of fish,

s, and

s. Nichols named ''Copeia'' to commemorate

Edward Drinker Cope Edward Drinker Cope (July 28, 1840 – April 12, 1897) was an American zoologist, paleontologist, comparative anatomist, herpetologist, and ichthyologist. Born to a wealthy Quaker family, Cope distinguished himself as a child prodigy interes ...

, a prominent 19th-century ichthyologist and herpetologist. The first edition of ''Copeia'' was four pages in length and comprised five articles. In an effort to increase the publication of ''Copeia'' and communication among ichthyologists and herpetologists, Nichols met with

Henry Weed Fowler Henry Weed Fowler (March 23, 1878 – June 21, 1965) was an American zoologist born in Holmesburg, Pennsylvania. He studied at Stanford University under David Starr Jordan. He joined the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia and worked as ...

and

Dwight Franklin George Dwight Franklin (1888 – 1971) was an American artist, taxidermist, naturalist, museum curator, and costume designer for early Hollywood films. Personal life Dwight Franklin was born on January 28, 1888 in New York City. He married ...

in New York City. Together, the three men founded the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists; however, this achievement is often given to Nichols exclusively. By 1923, the Society accommodated around 50 members. Furthermore, the length of ''Copeia'' extended to 120 pages and an editorial staff established by the society assumed responsibility for the mass publication and expansion of this quarterly journal. Presently, the society has more than 2,400 members and its journal features approximately 1,000 pages of informative content and is found in over 1,000 institutional libraries. In 2020, the Society's Executive Committee and Board of Governors voted to change the name of the journal from ''Copeia'' to ''Ichthyology & Herpetology'' because of the racist views espoused by

. Further, the Society issued an apology to underrepresented ichthyologists and herpetologists for past and present discriminatory behavior toward scientists of different genders and colors.

Affiliated organizations

References

External links

Official websiteAmerican Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Records, c. 1978-1983
from the

Smithsonian Institution Archives Smithsonian Libraries and Archives is an institutional archives and library system comprising 21 branch libraries serving the various Smithsonian Institution museums and research centers. The Libraries and Archives serve Smithsonian Instituti ...

{{authority control Ichthyology organizations Herpetology organizations Organizations established in 1915 Scientific societies based in the United States Natural Science Collections Alliance members