Ecophysiology of Desert Arthropods and Reptiles

Arthropods (e.g. spiders and insects) and reptiles (e.g. snakes) belong to the most successful desert animals. How they manage to survive under the extreme conditions of deserts is treated in the book.

Klappentext

Ecophysiology of Desert Arthropods and Reptiles starts with a new classification of the world's deserts, based upon the type of precipitation and the effect on their faunas of arthropods and reptiles. This is followed by an account of microclimates and the avoidance of environmental extremes. Whereas thermoregulation is primarily behavioural, responses to water shortage are largely physiological. Seasonal activity and phenology are described, adaptations for burrowing, the avoidance of enemies, and defence, are also outlined. A comparative account of interspecific relationships, feeding specializations, and species diversity in the two taxa is described. The purpose of the book is to provide a new and up-to-date analysis that will stimulate further research along these lines.

Inhalt
1 Introduction.- 2 The Deserts of the World and Their Faunas.- 2.1 Classification of Deserts.- 2.2 Precipitation and Moisture.- 2.3 Exposure.- 2.4 Parallel Evolution, Convergence and Ecological Equivalents.- 2.5 Energy Flow.- 2.6 Trophic Level Patterns of Process-Functioning.- 2.7 Moisture-Associated Patterns of Process-Functioning.- 2.8 Field Metabolic Rates.- 2.9 Conclusions.- 3 Avoidance of Environmental Extremes.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Desert Microclimates.- 3.3 Circadian Locomotory Rhythms.- 3.4 Seasonal Rhythms in Locomotory Activity.- 3.5 Social Behaviour.- 3.6 Conclusions.- 4 Thermal Regulation and Control.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Behavioural Thermoregulation.- 4.3 Thermal Tolerance.- 4.4 Thermal Control.- 4.5 Responses to Ultraviolet Radiation.- 4.6 The Mechanism of Heat Death.- 4.7 Conclusions.- 5 Water Balance and Nitrogenous Excretion.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Evaporative Water Loss.- 5.3 Excretory Water Loss.- 5.4 Osmoregulation.- 5.5 Behavioural Regulation of Water Loss.- 5.6 Water Uptake.- 5.7 Conclusions.- 6 Seasonal Activity and Phenology.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 The Arthropods of Temporary Rain Pools.- 6.3 Flooding.- 6.4 Diapause, Aestivation and Seasonal Patterns of Activity.- 6.5 Phenology of Reproduction.- 6.6 Conclusions.- 7 Adaptations for Burrowing in Sand, Avoidance of Enemies and Defence.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Burrowing.- 7.3 Sand Swimming and Sand Running.- 7.4 Adaptive Colouration.- 7.5 Defences.- 7.6 Conclusions.- 8 Interspecific Relationships, Feeding Specializations and Species Diversity.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Food Selection and Consumption.- 8.3 Feeding Specializations.- 8.4 Species Diversity and Competition.- 8.5 Interacting Factors.- 8.6 Conclusions.- 9 Final Conclusions.- References.