A description of the structural and functional adaptations of the key organs such as skin, kidneys, bladder, lungs and ovaries, with special emphasis placed on physiological adaptations: water, electrolyte, nitrogen, and thermal balance and their endocrine control. One whole chapter devoted to ecological aspects covers such exciting topics as development and metamorphosis, larval competition for food resources, and reproductive strategies.

Inhalt

1 Introduction.- 2 Xeric Habitats and Their Amphibian Inhabitants.- 2.1 The Habitats.- 2.1.1 The Xeric Habitat.- 2.1.2 The Semi-arid and Arid Habitats.- 3 Structural and Functional Adaptations of Key Organs...- 3.1 Structure and Function of the Integument.- 3.1.1 The Epidermal Structure of Amphibians Inhabiting Xeric Environments.- 3.1.1.1 The Epidermis Structure of the Anuran (Pelobates) Tadpole.- 3.1.1.2 The Epidermis Structure of the Anuran (Pelobates), Post-metamorphic, Terrestrial Stage...- 3.1.1.3 Epidermal Thickness.- 3.1.1.4 Other Anurans Inhabiting Xeric Environments...- 3.1.1.5 Cell Dynamics.- 3.1.1.6 The Epidermis of the Urodele Salamandra salamandra, Aquatic Stage.- 3.1.1.7 Specialized Cell Types of the Urodelan (Salamandra) Larva.- 3.1.1.8 The Urodelan Leydig Cell.- 3.1.1.9 The Larval Mitochondria-Rich Cell, MRC.- 3.1.1.10 The Epidermis of the Urodelan (S. salamandra), Terrestrial, Post-metamorphic Stages.- 3.1.1.11 The Flask Cell.- 3.1.1.12 Conclusions.- 3.1.1.13 Epidermal Cell Layers.- 3.1.1.14 Epidermal Cell Diversity.- 3.1.1.15 The Leydig Cell of Larval Urodeles.- 3.1.1.16 S. salamandra Larval MRC and the Flask Cells of the Adult.- 3.1.2 The Dermis.- 3.1.2.1. The Anuran Calcified Dermal Layer.- 3.1.2.2 Dermal Glands.- 3.1.2.3 Chromatophores.- 3.1.3 Moulting.- 3.1.4 Cocoons.- 3.1.5 Transport of Ions Across the Skin.- 3.1.6 Water Movement Across the Skin.- 3.1.7 Nitrogen Excretion Across the Skin.- 3.1.8 Conclusions.- 3.2 Respiratory Organs and Respiration.- 3.2.1 Structure and Function of the Gills.- 3.2.1.1 The Gill Integument of Salamandra Larvae.- 3.2.1.2 Specialized Cells in the Salamander Gill Integument.- 3.2.2 Structure of the Lungs and Respiration.- 3.2.2.1 Structure.- 3.2.2.2 Respiration.- 3.3 The Endolymphatic System as Calcium Reserve.- 3.4 Kidney Structure and Function.- 3.4.1.1 Kidney Structure.- 3.4.1.2 Kidney Function.- 3.4.2 Endocrine Control of Excretion.- 3.4.3 The Urinary Bladder.- 3.5 Structure and Function of the Female Reproductive System.- 3.5.1 The Ovary and Oogenesis.- 3.5.1.1 Oogenesis.- 3.5.2 Mating, Sperm Storage, Fertilization and Gestation.- 3.5.3 Conclusions.- 4 Receptors, Perception and Behavioural Responses.- 4.1 Photoreception and the Response to Light.- 4.2 Acoustic Behaviour.- 4.3 Olfaction.- 4.4 Selection of Suitable Substrate Moisture and pH..- 4.5 Feeding Behaviour.- 4.6 Locomotory Rhythms and Activity Patterns.- 4.7 Orientation, Homing and Migration.- 4.7.1 Orientation.- 4.7.2 Homing.- 4.7.3 Migration and Breeding Behaviour.- 4.8 Social Behaviour.- 4.8.1 Aggregation Behaviour.- 4.8.2 Kin Recognition.- 4.9 Endocrine Control of Behaviour.- 4.9.1 The Pineal Gland.- 4.9.2 Courtship and Mating Behaviour and Their Endocrine Control.- 4.10 Learning.- 4.11 Conclusions.- 5 Physiological Adaptations.- 5.1 Water Balance.- 5.1.1 Water Content.- 5.1.2 Remarks about Techniques.- 5.1.3 Evaporative Water Loss.- 5.1.4 Survival of Dehydration.- 5.1.5 Water Uptake.- 5.2 Body Fluid Osmolality and Ion Concentration....- 5.3 Nitrogen Balance.- 5.3.1 Ureotelic Amphibians and Urea Retention.- 5.3.2 Uricotelic Amphibians.- 5.3.3 Other Forms of Nitrogen Excretion.- 5.4 Endocrine Control of Water, Electrolyte and Nitrogen Balance.- 5.4.1 Endocrine Control.- 5.4.1.1 The Neurohypophysial Hormones.- 5.4.1.2 The Adenohypophysial Hormones Prolactin (PRL).- 5.4.1.3 The Thyroid Hormones.- 5.4.1.4 Corticosteroids and the Interrenal Hormones....- 5.4.1.5 Parathyroid and Ultimobranchial Hormones Regulating Calcium Balance.- 5.4.1.6 Atrial Natriuretic Peptides (ANP).- 5.4.1.7 Conclusions.- 5.5 Thermal Balance.- 5.5.1 Temperature Preferences.- 5.5.2 Body Temperature Regulation at High Temperatures.- 5.5.3 Critical Thermal Maximum.- 5.5.4 Development Rate and Survival Time at High Temperature.- 6 Ecological Adaptations.- 6.1 The Aquatic Environment.- 6.1.1 Breeding Modes.- 6.1.2 Reproductive Season, Onset and Duration.- 6.1.3 Breeding Migration.- 6.1.4 Batch or Brood Size 1ll.- 6.1.5 Development and Metamorphosis 1ll.- 6.1.6 Development Time.- 6.1.7 Larval Competition for Food Resources, Carnivory, Prédation and Cannibalism.- 6.1.8 Survival of Larvae.- 6.1.9 Factors Affecting Success of Metamorphosis.- 6.1.10 Reproductive Strategies.- 6.1.11 Habitat Use.- 6.2 The Terrestrial Amphibian.- 6.2.1 Aquatic Phase of the Adult Amphibia Inhabiting Xeric Habitats.- 6.2.1.1 The Paedomorphic Amphibian.- 6.2.2 The Adult Terrestrial Amphibian Inhabiting Xeric Habitats.- 6.2.2.1 Ecological Problems with Breeding.- 6.2.2.2 Role of Climate in the Survival of Juveniles and Adults.- 6.2.2.3 Population Ecology of Amphibians Living in Xeric Habitats.- 6.2.2.4 Longevity.- 6.2.2.5 Density Effects.- 6.2.2.6 Climatic Effects.- 6.2.2.7 Population Cycles.- 6.2.2.8 Population Explosion and Migration.- 6.2.2.9 Amphibian Communities.- 6.2.2.10 Conclusions.- 7 Reflections and Conclusions.- 7.1 Habitat.- 7.2 Structure and Function.- 7.3 Behavioural Responses.- 7.4 Ecological Adaptations.- 7.4.1 Breeding and Larval Stages.- 7.4.2 Longevity.- References.