Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of contributors
- Foreword
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Part one Biogeographic patterns and the driving variables
- Part two Form and function
- 6 Form and function in perennial plants
- 7 Functional aspects of short-lived plants
- 8 Plant reproductive ecology
- 9 Animal form and function
- 10 Animal foraging and food
- Part three Dynamics
- Part four Human impacts
- Part five Comparisons
- References
- Index
9 - Animal form and function
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 23 December 2009
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of contributors
- Foreword
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Part one Biogeographic patterns and the driving variables
- Part two Form and function
- 6 Form and function in perennial plants
- 7 Functional aspects of short-lived plants
- 8 Plant reproductive ecology
- 9 Animal form and function
- 10 Animal foraging and food
- Part three Dynamics
- Part four Human impacts
- Part five Comparisons
- References
- Index
Summary
Introduction
It is very important to appreciate at the outset the huge regional disproportionality of ecophysiological research which has been conducted on desert animals in southern Africa over the past four decades. The research output concerning Namib and Kalahari animals from scientists who have been associated, respectively, with the Desert Ecological Research Unit at Gobabeb, Namibia, and, to a lesser extent, the former Nossob research facilities in the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park, is considerable compared with the overall output for karoo species. This is unfortunate because, although it is possible to borrow conceptually from the Namib and Kalahari studies to a certain extent, many physical, biotic and environmental characteristics are unique to the succulent and Namakaroo biomes. Wherever possible I have obviously reviewed karoo studies in preference to analogous Namib or Kalahari studies, but, for the sake of holism and completeness, I have been compelled to employ non-karoo studies where data are lacking. Had I restricted this chapter to karoo studies only, the chapter would, in all likelihood, have had a more limited educational and philosophical appeal due to the fragmentary nature of available information. It is therefore important that, where extension of logic is required between karoo and non-karoo affinities, this be undertaken with educated caution.
Animal form and function is best appreciated by reviewing the three types of adaptations; morphological, physiological and behavioural, which have evolved in desert animals in response to the selective pressures of desert environments. Invariably, these adaptations aid desert animals in maintaining water, thermal and energy balances in the face of the common physical and ecological stresses characteristic of arid ecosystems: limited water and food resources and the extremes of ambient temperature.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- The KarooEcological Patterns and Processes, pp. 145 - 163Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1999
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