Arid-Zone adaptations of waders (Aves: Charadrii)

Abstract

Waders (birds of the suborder Charadrii) have radiated into the arid zones of the world through the successful use of adaptations formerly evolved in response to a marine or brackish shoreline, habitat These preadaptations are traced through the rnajor lines of wader radiation, ending in such highly specialized taxa as the sandgrouse (family Pteroclidae), which refined existing adaptations or evolved further adaptations to suit them to a diet of seeds and the need to drink in.an environment poor .in surface water.