Overview

This book is a basic account of the synecology of deserts. It covers a wide range of topics that have been studied extensively in other biomes, but not yet in arid lands. These include predation and anti-predatory strategies, parasitic and allied interactions, herbivory and plant defences. Finally, community processes such as communal and social behaviour among animals, aggression, population effects, pollination, seed dispersal, competition, and food webs, are discussed. By drawing attention to both what is and what is not known with regard to desert ecology, a basis for future research is provided.

Full Product Details

Author:   John L.Cloudsley- Thompson
Publisher:   Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co. KG
Imprint:   Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co. K
Weight:   0.450kg
ISBN:  

9783540592617

ISBN 10:   354059261
Pages:   220
Publication Date:   16 July 1996
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Undergraduate ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Temporarily unavailable  
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Table of Contents

1 Introduction.- 1.1 Evolutionary Parallels.- 1.2 Ecological Analogues.- 2 Predatory Techniques.- 2.1 Active Searching for and Stalking Prey.- 2.2 Ambushing and Disguise.- 2.2.1 Aggressive Mimicry.- 2.3 Scavenging.- 2.4 Synchronization of Activities.- 3 Primary Anti-Predator Devices.- 3.1 Anachoresis.- 3.2 Burrows and Retreats.- 3.2.1 Burrowing in Loose Sand.- 3.2.2 Sand Swimming.- 3.3 Rhythmic Activity and Phenology.- 3.4 Crypsis.- 3.5 Protective Resemblance and Disguise.- 3.6 Mimicry.- 3.7 Integument, Scales and Armour.- 3.8 Aposematic Coloration.- 3.9 Communal Behaviour.- 3.10 Vigilance.- 4 Secondary Anti-Predator Devices.- 4.1 Flight and Escape.- 4.2 Thanatosis.- 4.3 Deflection of Attack.- 4.4 Autotomy.- 4.5 Spines, Urticating Hairs and Gin Traps.- 4.6 Venoms, Defensive Fluids and Toxins.- 4.6.1 Venoms.- 4.6.2 Defensive Fluids.- 4.7 Warning Smells, Sounds and Deimatic Display.- 4.8 Retaliation.- 5 Parasitic and Allied Interactions.- 5.1 The Parasites of Plants.- 5.2 Ectoparasites.- 5.3 Endoparasites and their Transmission.- 5.4 Parasitoids.- 5.5 Kleptoparasitism and Slavery.- 5.6 Social Parasitism, Commensalism and Mutualism.- 5.7 Evolutionary Trends in Parasitic Relationships.- 6 Plants and Herbivorous Animals.- 6.1 Vegetative Crypsis, Mimicry and Deception.- 6.1.1 Protective Resemblance to Stones and Sticks.- 6.1.2 Mimicry in Mistletoes.- 6.2 Chemical Deterrence.- 6.2.1 Secondary Metabolites and their Costs.- 6.2.2 Induced Defences.- 6.3 Toughness and Spines.- 6.4 Responses to Seed-Eating.- 6.5 Thermal Protection.- 6.6 Symbiotic Protective Relationships with Stinging Insects.- 6.7 Phenology.- 7 Community Processes.- 7.1 Protection of Young and Social Behaviour.- 7.1.1 Parental Care.- 7.1.2 Mobbing.- 7.1.3 Vigilance of Animals in Groups.- 7.1.4 Intraspecific Aggression.- 7.1.5 Interspecific Aggression.- 7.2 Effects on Animal Populations of Parasites and Predators.- 7.2.1 Parasitological Interactions.- 7.2.2 Predators and Prey Populations.- 7.3 Sequestration of Plant Metabolites.- 7.4 Pollination of Plants by Animals.- 7.4.1 Pollination by Moths.- 7.4.2 Pollination by Birds and Small Mammals.- 7.4.3 Pollination by Bats.- 7.4.4 Floral Reproductive Mimicry.- 7.5 Seed Dispersal by Animals.- 7.6 Cooperation Between Plants.- 7.7 Competitive Interactions.- 7.7.1 Competition Amongst Plants.- 7.7.2 Intraspecific Competition in Animals.- 7.7.3 Interspecific Competition in Animals.- 7.7.4 Effects of Herbivory on Plant Populations.- 7.8 Food Webs.- 8 Discussion and Conclusions.- 8.1 Emerging Principles.- 8.1.1 Multiple Functions.- 8.1.2 Selective Compromise.- 8.1.3 Temporal Application of Adaptations.- 8.1.4 Competitive Advantages.- 8.1.5 Diminishing Returns.- 8.1.6 Evolutionary Lability.- 8.2 Desert Ecosystems.- References.

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