Ecophysiology of Amphibians Inhabiting Xeric Environments [Hardcover]

A description of the structural and functional adaptations of the key organs such as skin, kidneys, bladder, lungs and ovaries, with special emphasis placed on physiological adaptations: water, electrolyte, nitrogen, and thermal balance and their endocrine control. One whole chapter devoted to ecological aspects covers such exciting topics as development and metamorphosis, larval competition for food resources, and reproductive strategies.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.1 Introduction.- 2 Xeric Habitats and Their Amphibian Inhabitants.- 2.1 The Habitats.- 2.1.1 The Xeric Habitat.- 2.1.2 The Semi-arid and Arid Habitats.- 3 Structural and Functional Adaptations of Key Organs...- 3.1 Structure and Function of the Integument.- 3.1.1 The Epidermal Structure of Amphibians Inhabiting Xeric Environments.- 3.1.1.1 The Epidermis Structure of the Anuran (Pelobates) Tadpole.- 3.1.1.2 The Epidermis Structure of the Anuran (Pelobates), Post-metamorphic, Terrestrial Stage...- 3.1.1.3 Epidermal Thickness.- 3.1.1.4 Other Anurans Inhabiting Xeric Environments...- 3.1.1.5 Cell Dynamics.- 3.1.1.6 The Epidermis of the Urodele Salamandra salamandra, Aquatic Stage.- 3.1.1.7 Specialized Cell Types of the Urodelan (Salamandra) Larva.- 3.1.1.8 The Urodelan Leydig Cell.- 3.1.1.lƒ,