干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

1. The steenbok, a small diurnal antelope is widely distributed in the southern African subregion even in extreme deserts. The blue duiker is limited in its distribution to forests on the eastern coast of the subregion.

2. A comparative study of heat production and dissipation was carried out in order to assess the ability of these two species to cope with dry habitats.

3. Low metabolic rates, a high lower-critical point and high overall minimal thermal conductance as found in the steenbok when compared to the blue duiker seem to be important adaptations which help the steenbok to conserve water even when exposed to high ambient temperatures and, therefore, to inhabit extreme arid habitats.