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After a brief survey of biotopic and vegetational features and an account of the main groups of desert animals, the most unusual patterns of the behaviour of the xerophilous fauna are examined. The importance of the thermohygric regulation and self-protective and locomotor mechanisms to the survival of arid-adapted animals is emphasized and various adaptations in the alimentary, reproductive and social spheres are analyzed.
The clear and fluent treatment will awaken the interest of the reading public, from the amateur naturalists to research scientists.
List of contents
1 Introduction.- 2 Biotope and Vegetation Features.- 2.1 Definition of Desert.- 2.2 Factors of Aridity.- 2.3 Classifications of Deserts.- 2.4 Biotope Features.- 2.5 Characteristics of Desert Vegetation.- 3 Desert Zoocoenosis.- 3.1 General Characteristics.- 3.2 Main Animal Groups.- 4 Thermohygric Regulation.- 4.1 Timing of Activity Rhythms.- 4.2 Modulation of Activity Rhythms.- 4.3 Exploitation of Substratum Resources.- 4.4 Exploitation of Body Resources.- 4.5 Exploitation of Social Resources.- 5 Self-Protective Mechanisms.- 5.1 Primary Self-Protection.- 5.2 Secondary Self-Protection.- 6 Patterns of Movement.- 6.1 Locomotor Patterns.- 6.2 Orientation Mechanisms.- 7 Exploitation of Food Resources.- 7.1 Herbivores.- 7.2 Carnivores.- 7.3 Detritivores.- 8 Reproductive Regulation.- 8.1 Timing of Reproduction.- 8.2 Partner Location.- 8.3 Courtship and Mating.- 8.4 Pair Stabilization; Sexual Groups.- 8.5 Parental Care and Developmental Regulation.- 9 Social Behaviour.- 9.1 Sociality in Desert Environments.- 9.2 Territorial Phenomena.- 9.3 Learning and Culture.- References.
