| Ecophysiology of Small Desert Mammals Softcover Repri Edition Contributor(s): Degen, Allan A. (Author) |
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ISBN: 3642643663 ISBN-13: 9783642643668 Publisher: Springer OUR PRICE: $104.49 Product Type: Paperback Published: September 2011 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Science | Life Sciences - Ecology - Science | Life Sciences - Zoology - General - Science | Life Sciences - Anatomy & Physiology |
| Dewey: 571.1 |
| Series: Adaptations of Desert Organisms |
| Physical Information: 0.69" H x 6.12" W x 9.14" (0.99 lbs) 296 pages |
| Themes: - Topical - Ecology |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Since small mammals have a large surface to mass ratio, one would expect them to quickly dehydrate and perish at high environmental temperatures. Nonetheless, a large number of small mammal species inhabit deserts. This fascinating phenomenon is investigated by Prof. A. Allan Degen in his book. The majority of small desert mammals are rodents, but shrews of several grams and small foxes of 1 kg are also present. Their survival is due mainly to behavioural adaptations and habitat selection, however, physiological adaptations also contribute to the success. Interestingly, many small mammals that live in different deserts of the world show similarities in their adaptive traits although they have different taxonomic affinities. |
