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Patterns of hemolymph osmoregulation in three desert arthropods

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Summary

Hemolymph osmoregulation was examined in three species of desert arthropods: a tenebrionid beetle,Eleodes hispilabris, a vejovid scorpion,Paruroctonus aquilonalis, and a spirostreptid millipede,Orthoporus ornatus. During desiccation, beetles regulated hemolymph osmolality and scorpions tolerated increasing osmolality. Millipedes displayed both osmotic regulation and tolerance patterns depending on sex and on duration of desiccation. Rehydration after desiccation depressed blood osmolality of male scorpions and beetles below levels found for freshly collected specimens. This was not the case in millipedes. Seasonal osmolality changes were studied and recorded among field-collected scorpions and beetles. Patterns of regulation and tolerance of hemolymph osmolality appear to vary among different kinds of desert arthropods.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, 87131, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

    W. A. Riddle, C. S. Crawford & A. M. Zeitone

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  1. W. A. Riddle
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  2. C. S. Crawford
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  3. A. M. Zeitone
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Riddle, W.A., Crawford, C.S. & Zeitone, A.M. Patterns of hemolymph osmoregulation in three desert arthropods. J Comp Physiol B 112, 295–305 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00692300

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00692300

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