This does not imply that these vertebrates are unaffected, but does reinforce the
notion that the xeric-adapted community has been under an extraordinarily long
period of selection to face such fluctuations in precipitation. Vertebrate species
dependent on lacustrine habitats are obviously at a disadvantage and during the
drought declined in numbers and, in some cases, became locally extinct. Aspects
of the biology of vertebrates on the Preserve will be explored within this volume
with case-by-case discussion of the effects of the drought.