1 Introduction.- 2 The Deserts of the World and Their Faunas.- 2.1 Classification of Deserts.- 2.2 Precipitation and Moisture.- 2.3 Exposure.- 2.4 Parallel Evolution, Convergence and Ecological Equivalents.- 2.5 Energy Flow.- 2.6 Trophic Level Patterns of Process-Functioning.- 2.7 Moisture-Associated Patterns of Process-Functioning.- 2.8 Field Metabolic Rates.- 2.9 Conclusions.- 3 Avoidance of Environmental Extremes.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Desert Microclimates.- 3.3 Circadian Locomotory Rhythms.- 3.4 Seasonal Rhythms in Locomotory Activity.- 3.5 Social Behaviour.- 3.6 Conclusions.- 4 Thermal Regulation and Control.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Behavioural Thermoregulation.- 4.3 Thermal Tolerance.- 4.4 Thermal Control.- 4.5 Responses to Ultraviolet Radiation.- 4.6 The Mechanism of Heat Death.- 4.7 Conclusions.- 5 Water Balance and Nitrogenous Excretion.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Evaporative Water Loss.- 5.3 Excretory Water Loss.- 5.4 Osmoregulation.- 5.5 Behavioural Regulation of Water Loss.- 5.6 Water Uptake.- 5.7 Conclusions.- 6 Seasonal Activity and Phenology.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 The Arthropods of Temporary Rain Pools.- 6.3 Flooding.- 6.4 Diapause, Aestivation and Seasonal Patterns of Activity.- 6.5 Phenology of Reproduction.- 6.6 Conclusions.- 7 Adaptations for Burrowing in Sand, Avoidance of Enemies and Defence.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Burrowing.- 7.3 Sand Swimming and Sand Running.- 7.4 Adaptive Colouration.- 7.5 Defences.- 7.6 Conclusions.- 8 Interspecific Relationships, Feeding Specializations and Species Diversity.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Food Selection and Consumption.- 8.3 Feeding Specializations.- 8.4 Species Diversity and Competition.- 8.5 Interacting Factors.- 8.6 Conclusions.- 9 Final Conclusions.- References.
