Arthropods of Mediterranean-Type Ecosystems

ISBN-13: 9783642797545 / Angielski / Miękka / 2011 / 141 str.

George P. Stamou

Opis

G.P. Stamou describes the adaptive strategies that allow arthropods to cope with the severity of Mediterranean environments. After an introduction to the structure and function of Mediterranean-type ecosystems, ecophysiological adaptations to water stress and varying temperature are considered. Further, activity patterns and life cycle tactics are discussed in relation to the peculiarity of Mediterranean environments. Phenological patterns and population dynamics as well as community structures are also presented. The volume ends with a synthesis of life history tactics.

Spis treści

I Introduction.- 1.1 The Mediterranean Climate.- 1.2 Mediterranean-Type Ecosystems.- 1.2.1 The Physical Environment.- 1.2.2 Vegetation.- 1.2.3 Geographical Distribution.- 1.2.3.1 Maquis Formations.- 1.2.3.2 Phrygnic Formations.- 1.2.4 The Resilience of Mediterranean-Type Ecosystems.- 1.2.4.1 Attributes of Resilience.- 1.2.5 Litter Production and Decomposition.- 2 Water Balance in Mediterranean Arthropods.- 2.1 Water Relations.- 2.2 Components of Water Balance.- 2.3 The Dynamics of Water Relations.- 2.4 Adaptation to Moisture Variations.- 2.5 Responses of Arthropods to Environmental Extremes.- 2.5.1 Behavioural Responses.- 2.5.2 Cryptobiosis.- 2.5.2.1 Anhydrobiosis.- 2.5.2.2 Ecomorphosis.- 3 Respiratory Metabolism.- 3.1 Respiration and Weight.- 3.2 Respiratory Response to Varying Temperature.- 3.3 Acclimation to Constant Temperature.- 4 Activity Patterns.- 4.1 Daily Patterns.- 4.2 Seasonal Patterns.- 4.3 Feeding Activity.- 4.4 Oviposition Patterns.- 4.5 The Joint Effect of Temperature and Humidity on Feeding Activity and Demography.- 4.5.1 Short-Term Effect of Varying Temperature and Humidity.- 4.5.2 Energetics.- 4.5.3 Long-Term Effect of Temperature.- 4.5.4 The Effect of Thermal Past on Demographic Parameters.- 5 Life Cycle Tactics and Development.- 5.1 Life History Characteristics.- 5.1.1 Life Span.- 5.1.2 Age of Maturity.- 5.1.3 Reproductive Strategies.- 5.1.3.1 Thelytoky and Sexual Reproduction.- 5.1.3.2 Semelparity and Iteroparity.- 5.1.3.3 Parental Care.- 5.1.3.4 Reproductive Effort.- 5.1.3.5 The Effect of Temperature and Humidity on Egg-Laying Patterns.- 5.2 Synchronisation Tactics.- 5.3 Life Cycle Development.- 5.3.1 Life Cycle Development of Short-Lived Arthropods.- 5.3.2 Life Cycle Development of Long-Lived Arthropods.- 6 Phenological Patterns.- 6.1 Modelling Phenological Patterns.- 6.2 Numerical Responses of Microarthropods.- 6.3 Numerical Responses of Macroarthropods.- 6.4 Numerical Responses to Environmental Disasters.- 6.4.1 Population Dynamics.- 6.4.2 Modelling Population Dynamics.- 7 Community Structure.- 7.1 The Composition of Arthropod Communities.- 7.2 Seasonal Variations in Numbers.- 7.3 Spatial Patterns.- 7.3.1 Vertical Movement.- 7.3.2 Horizontal Distribution.- 7.4 Community Structures Induced by Human Practices.- 7.4.1 Fire-Induced Structures.- 7.4.1.1 The Effect of Fire on Microarthropods.- 7.4.1.2 The Effect of Fire on Macroarthropods.- 7.4.1.2.1 Numerical Response.- 7.4.1.2.2 Community Composition.- 7.4.2 Grazing Induced Structures.- 7.5 The Biotic Correlates of Habitat Selection.- 8 Synthesis.- Reference.- Species Index.