Behavioural Adaptations of Desert Animals

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.