Comparative Rates of Dehydration and Hydration in Some California Salamanders

Cohen, Nathan W.

doi:10.2307/1931521

Cited by 37 publications

(28 citation statements)

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“…The low rates of P. c. serratus and P. dorsalis were due to their behavior during rehydration. Cohen (1952), Hutch-Ison (1958), and Spight (1967b) found that the >arne was true in salamander comparisons, but Gehlbach et al (1969) were unable to demonstrate such :t correlation in Ambystoma tigrinum (Green). This behavior resulted in a false estimate of their rehydration rates, and individuals often did not gain and sometimes lost weight between weighings.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Heatwole et al (1969) and Gehlbach, Kimmel, and Weems (1969) have demonstrated that behavioral adjustments are important in reducing the dehydration rates in frogs and salamanders. Interspecific differences in rehydration rates have been reported for both frogs (Ewer 1952, Thorson 1955, Bentley, Lee, and Main 1958, Main and Bentley 1964, Warburg 1965b and salamanders (Cohen 1952, Spight 1967b. REHYDRATION The rate at which salamanders take up water through their skin is an important factor in their ability to survive dehydration associated with normal surface activity and prolonged periods of moisture stress underground.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Role of Temperature and Water in the Ecology of Lungless Salamanders

Spotila¹

1972

Ecological Monographs

333

283

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Water economy and thermal relations of plethodontid salamanders were studied in the laboratory and in the field. Laboratory measurements included behavioral responses in temperature and relative humidity gradients, rates of dehydration and dehydration at various relative humidities and soil—moisture levels, and determination of critical thermal maxima by rapid controlled heating to a definite endpoint. Salamanders were acclimated to a combination of three temperatures and two photoperiods: 5°C, 16 hr of light alternating with 8 hr of darkness (LD 16:8); 5°C, (LD 8:16); 15°C (LD 16:8); 15°C (LD 8:16); 25°C (LD 16:8); and 25°C (LD 8:16). Three series of experiments were conducted on 20 populations representing 14 species. Critical thermal maximum increased with an increase in acclimation temperature indicating that the salamander's heat resistance was readily altered by its previous thermal history. Salamanders selected a definite range of temperatures and did not merely avoid extremes in the thermal gradient. Thermal preferenda were relatively stable for each species and were not significantly affected by either acclimation temperature or photoperiod. Rate of dehydration was dependent upon body size, drying power of the air, and ambient temperature. Interspecific differences in dehydration rates appeared to be related in part to differences in size. Species composed of small individuals lost weight faster than species made up of large individuals. As the vapor pressure deficit increased the dehydration rate increased. Dehydration was more rapid at higher temperatures. Rehydration rate increased as the percentage of weight loss due to dehydration increased and was more rapid at higher temperatures. Salamanders absorbed water from soil when soil—moisture tension was as high as 2.8 atm at 25°C. All species absorbed water from unsaturated soil at similar rates that were dependent upon soil—moisture content. Salamanders in the humidity gradient responded positively to differences in the moisture content of the air, and all but one species were more than 70% successful in selecting the highest relative humidity available in the gradient. Interspecific differences were apparent, but were not always correlated with habitat preferences. Plethodon glutinosus did not show any specific adaptation in its thermal responses or water relations that would account for its widespread distribution in the eastern United States. Plethodon ouachitae and P. caddoensis apparently have survived in the Ouachita Mountains due to favorable microhabitats and their ability to burrow deep beneath talus—covered slopes during hot and dry summers. Surface activity of P. caddoensis is limited in the summer by hot and dry conditions in its microhabitat.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Role of Temperature and Water in the Ecology of Lungless Salamanders

Spotila¹

1972

Ecological Monographs

333

283

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“…Cohen (1952) reports that he found them several months after other species had retreated from the dry weather of late spring. Aneides lugubris.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thorson and Svihla (1943) and Littleford et al (1947) subjected various amphibians to desiccation under controlled conditions and found that the ability to endure loss of body water is in most instances correlated with the dryness of their habitats; (2) another adaptation may be the comparatively slow rate at which some amphibians lose body water-or the fast rate at which they regain it (Thorson and Svihla 1943;Littleford et al 1947;Cohen 1952;Thorson 1955Thorson , 1956. Among vertebrates, modern amphibians represent a transitional stage since, in addition to truly amphibious members, the group contains both completely aquatic and completely terrestrial forms; yet, when exposed to air, all lose water through the skin.…”

Section: Vital Limits and Rates Of Desiccation In Salamanders'mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1B) described by Hall (1922) and also used, with various modifications, by Thorson and Svihla (1943), Thorson (1955Thorson ( , 1956, Littleford et al (1947), and Cohen (1952),4 was first used here, ' Relative humidity was determined by potassium pentoxide absorption of water. 1B) described by Hall (1922) and also used, with various modifications, by Thorson and Svihla (1943), Thorson (1955Thorson ( , 1956, Littleford et al (1947), and Cohen (1952),4 was first used here, ' Relative humidity was determined by potassium pentoxide absorption of water.…”

Section: Vital Limits and Rates Of Desiccation In Salamanders'mentioning

confidence: 99%

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