ENGLISH

Ecophysiology of Amphibians Inhabiting Xeric Environments

By Prof. Dr. Michael R. Warburg (auth.)

Book information

Publisher
Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
Year
1997
ISBN
978-3-642-64369-9, 978-3-642-60357-0
DOI
10.1007/978-3-642-60357-0
Language
english
Format
PDF
Filesize
5 MB (5284601 bytes)
Series
Adaptations of Desert Organisms
Edition
1
Pages
182\193
Orientation
yes
Scanned
yes
Time added
2013-08-01 04:00:00
Ecology; Animal Physiology

Description

Scarcity of water has brought about a number of structural, behavioural, physiological and ecological adaptations in amphibians inhabiting seasonally xeric habitats. This book describes structural and functional adaptations of key organs such as skin, kidneys, bladder, lungs and ovaries. Behavioural responses to high temperatures mainly involve thermoregulation and the selection of optimal temperatures and humidity. Special emphasis is placed on physiological adaptations: water, electrolyte, nitrogen, and thermal balance and their endocrine control are treated in detail. Development and metamorphosis, larval competition for food resources, and reproductive strategies are only a few of the exciting topics in the chapter on ecological aspects.

Similar books