The Water Relations of Terrestrial Arthropods

Edney, E. B.

doi:10.2307/1292315

Cited by 70 publications

(44 citation statements)

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“…Other insects which draw on reserve lipids during periods of desiccation are the cockroach P. americana (Tucker, 1977b) and tenebrionid beetles O. plana (Nicolson, 1980) and S. gracilipes (Naidu, 2001). The water obtained from the oxidation of reserve foodstuffs, represents an important water source for insects with no access to free water (Edney, 1957;refs in Edney, 1977). As determined in this study, however, the total water content in dehydrated beetles is lower than in hydrated ones (Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Why does the Namib Desert tenebrionid Onymacris unguicularis (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) fog-bask?

Naidu¹

2008

Eur. J. Entomol.

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Abstract. Dehydration of Onymacris unguicularis (Haag) for 10 days at 27°C resulted in a weight loss of 14.9%, and a 37% decrease in haemolymph volume. Although there was an overall decrease in the lipid content during this period, metabolic water production was insufficient to maintain total body water (TBW). Rehydration resulted in increases in body weight (6.2% of initial weight), TBW (to normality), and haemolymph volume (sub-normal at the end of rehydration). Despite an increase of 44.0 mg in the wet weight of O. unguicularis after drinking for 1h, there was little change in the water content at this time, although the total lipid content increased significantly. Increases in haemolymph osmolality, sodium, potassium, chloride, amino acid and total sugar concentrations during dehydration were subject to osmoregulatory control. No evidence of an active amino acid-soluble protein interchange was noted during dehydration or rehydration. Haemolymph trehalose levels were significantly increased at the end of rehydration (relative to immediate pre-rehydration values), indicating de novo sugar synthesis at this time. Osmotic and ionic regulation was evident during rehydration, but control of OP during haemolymph-dilution is poor and accomplished largely by the addition to the haemolymph of free amino acids and solute(s) not measured in this study. There was little mobilization of sodium and chloride ions from storage sites at this time. The lesser osmoregulatory ability of Onymacris unguicularis and perhaps earlier susceptibility to osmotic stress, a significantly high normal blood glycerol level (relative to other diurnal adesmiine tenebrionids), and a water storage mechanism associated with synthesis of fat, probably all contribute to the development of fog-basking behaviour in this species. Water gain in O. unguicularis during periods of relative drought is probably largely accomplished by a greater food consumption.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Why does the Namib Desert tenebrionid Onymacris unguicularis (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) fog-bask?

Naidu¹

2008

Eur. J. Entomol.

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“…Several arthropod species are capable of absorbing water from subsaturated atmospheres (Edney, 1957;Noble-Nesbitt, 1969), but A.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The vapor pressure deficit is an important environmental measurement, since at constant temperature the rate of evaporation through the insect integument is proportional to this value (Edney, 1957). Changes in interstitial and ambient VPD at the eolleeting site on a typical summer day are shown in Fig.…”

Section: Moisture Content and Watermentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecology and behavior of the desert burrowing cockroach,Arenivaga sp. (Dictyoptera, Polyphagidae)

Hawke

Farley

1973

Oecologia

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Measurements were made of environmental conditions in the microhabitat ofArenivaga sp., and results were correlated with their diurnal migratory behavior. The animals live in sand dunes with less than 1% moisture most of the year. During the day in spring, summer and fall they borrow in the sand at a depth of 20-60 cm, while at night, when surface temperatures have cooled, they borrow within 1-3 cm of the surface. In winter they are rarely found near the surface, remaining active at lower levels during both night and day. Adult males were collected on the surface or at a depth of 20-60 cm, but they were never observed burrowing near the surface at 1-3 cm.The larvae and adult females are photonegative and remain at lower levels during the day, even though daytime temperature and humidity are sometimes favorable near the surface. In the summer, they migrate to the surface about 2 h later after darkness than in spring and fall. Temperature measurements indicated this was probably due to delayed nighttime cooling of the surface in the summer months. By burrowing near the surface the animals can experience cooler nighttime temperatures and water-loss may be reduced during the summer. This behavior may also facilitate disperasal and mating.The cockroaches feed on decaying leaves and the roots of desert shrubs. Since the latter have 35-38% moisture, they are probably the main source of water for these animals.

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“…It is possible that these acids were used to synthesize the hydrocarbons and wax-like substances. The epicuticle of the exoskeleton contains large amounts of wax, which protect the animal against desiccation (Edney, 1957).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Absence of cholesterol synthesis as contrasted with the presence of fatty acid synthesis in some arthropods

Zande

1967

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology

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The Water Relations of Terrestrial Arthropods

Cited by 70 publications

References 0 publications

Why does the Namib Desert tenebrionid Onymacris unguicularis (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) fog-bask?

Why does the Namib Desert tenebrionid Onymacris unguicularis (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) fog-bask?

Ecology and behavior of the desert burrowing cockroach,Arenivaga sp. (Dictyoptera, Polyphagidae)

Absence of cholesterol synthesis as contrasted with the presence of fatty acid synthesis in some arthropods

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