1
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Azzolini JL, Roderick TB, DeNardo DF. Dehydrated snakes reduce postprandial thermophily. J Exp Biol 2023; 226:jeb245925. [PMID: 37455645 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.245925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Transient thermophily in ectothermic animals is a common response during substantial physiological events. For example, ectotherms often elevate body temperature after ingesting a meal. In particular, the increase in metabolism during the postprandial response of pythons - known as specific dynamic action - is supported by a concurrent increase in preferred temperature. The objective of this study was to determine whether hydration state influences digestion-related behavioral thermophily. Sixteen (8 male and 8 female) Children's pythons (Antaresia childreni) with surgically implanted temperature data loggers were housed individually and provided with a thermal gradient of 25-45°C. Body temperature was recorded hourly beginning 6 days prior to feeding and for 18 days post-feeding, thus covering pre-feeding, postprandial and post-absorptive stages. Each snake underwent this 24 day trial twice, once when hydrated and once when dehydrated. Our results revealed a significant interaction between temperature preference, digestive stage and hydration state. Under both hydrated and dehydrated conditions, snakes similarly increased their body temperature shortly after consuming a meal, but during the later days of the postprandial stage, snakes selected significantly lower (∼1.5°C) body temperature when they were dehydrated compared with when they were hydrated. Our results demonstrate a significant effect of hydration state on postprandial thermophily, but the impact of this dehydration-induced temperature reduction on digestive physiology (e.g. passage time, energy assimilation) is unknown and warrants further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill L Azzolini
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281-4501, USA
| | - Travis B Roderick
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281-4501, USA
| | - Dale F DeNardo
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281-4501, USA
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2
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Padilla Perez DJ, de Carvalho JE, Navas CA. Effects of food intake and hydration state on behavioral thermoregulation and locomotor activity in the tropidurid lizard Tropidurus catalanensis. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:224/6/jeb242199. [PMID: 33753559 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.242199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Theoretical models predict that lizards adjust their body temperature through behavioral thermoregulation as a function of food availability. However, behavioral thermoregulation is also governed by interactions among physiological and ecological factors other than food availability, such as hydration state, and sometimes it can even conflict with the locomotor activity of animals. Here, we aimed to investigate the role of food intake and hydration state on behavioral thermoregulation and voluntary locomotor activity in the lizard Tropidurus catalanensis We hypothesized that food intake can influence behavioral thermoregulation via an interaction with hydration state. We also hypothesized that lizards should endeavor to spend as little time as possible to reach their preferred body temperature to defend other physiological and/or ecological functions. We collected lizards in the field and brought them to the laboratory to measure the preferred temperature selected in a thermal gradient and the total distance traveled by them in fed and unfed conditions and with variable hydration state. Our results showed that food consumption was the most important predictor of preferred temperature. In contrast, either the hydration state alone or its interaction with food consumption did not have important effects on the lizards' thermal preference. Also, we found that the total distance traveled by lizards was not affected by food intake and was barely affected by the hydration state. We provide an experimental approach and a robust analysis of the factors that influence behavioral thermoregulation and locomotor activity in a tropical lizard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan J Padilla Perez
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP) - Diadema Campus, Rua Prof. Artur Riedel, 275, CEP 09972-270 Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil .,School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Jose E de Carvalho
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP) - Diadema Campus, Rua Prof. Artur Riedel, 275, CEP 09972-270 Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos A Navas
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP) - Diadema Campus, Rua Prof. Artur Riedel, 275, CEP 09972-270 Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Physiology, Biosciences Institute, University of São Paulo, Rua do Matão, Travessa 14, CEP 05508-900 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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3
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Edwards M, Sheehy CM, Fedler MT, Lillywhite HB. Thirst and drinking in North American watersnakes ( Nerodia spp.). J Exp Biol 2021; 224:224/5/jeb241414. [PMID: 33674397 PMCID: PMC7938798 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.241414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We quantified drinking behavior in three species of North American watersnakes: Nerodia clarkii, which is a marine or brackish water amphibious species, and Nerodiafasciata and Nerodiataxispilota, both freshwater amphibious species. All three species have relatively small and similar thresholds of dehydration (TH, approximately −4% loss of body mass) that elicit thirst and drinking of fresh water. These species have higher thirst sensitivity than several species of hydrophiine and laticaudine sea snakes, which are characterized by much lower TH (greater dehydration, −9% to <−20%). Nerodia clarkii, which is often found in coastal oceanic water, refused to drink seawater, but drank fresh water when dehydrated. In separate trials involving dehydration of N. clarkii and N. fasciata that were concurrently fed fish at regular intervals, snakes eventually refused to eat at TH of approximately −12% of original body mass, but resumed eating after they were allowed to drink fresh water and rehydrate. The drinking behaviors of Nerodia corroborate previous data on the importance of fresh water for drinking, and they complement growing evidence that dietary water does not itself mitigate dehydration in snakes. These new data increase understanding of water relationships in the context of evolutionary transitions from land to sea, and they emphasize the importance of fresh water resources in the conservation of coastal and marine species of reptiles. Summary: Relatively small levels of dehydration elicit drinking of fresh water in three species of North American watersnakes, including a semi-marine species in which moderate, progressive dehydration is also shown to inhibit feeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Edwards
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-8525, USA
| | - Coleman M Sheehy
- Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-8525, USA
| | - Matthew T Fedler
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-8525, USA.,Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 1105 SW Williston Road, Gainesville, FL 32601, USA
| | - Harvey B Lillywhite
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-8525, USA
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4
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Ashley EA, Davis AK, Terrell VK, Lake C, Carden C, Head L, Choe R, Maerz JC. Effects of Salinity on Hatchling Diamond-Backed Terrapin ( Malaclemys terrapin) Growth, Behavior, and Stress Physiology. HERPETOLOGICA 2021; 77:45-55. [PMID: 35356092 PMCID: PMC8963197 DOI: 10.1655/herpetologica-d-20-00028.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Diamond-backed Terrapins inhabit coastal salt marshes along the eastern and Gulf coasts of North America. Terrapins are adapted to intermediate salinities yet frequently face saltwater-inundated marsh habitat exceeding 25 ppt (or grams/kilogram). We investigated the effect of salinity on the growth of hatchling terrapins and on their compensatory responses to salinity stress. We randomly assigned 30 terrapin hatchlings each to one of five salinity treatments (1, 5, 10, 20, or 35 ppt). Over 75 d, we regularly monitored behavior, appetite, and changes in growth; and calculated ratios of heterophils to lymphocytes (H:L ratio) to assess responses to prolonged salinity stress. Consistent with prior studies, chronic exposure to high salinity significantly reduced hatchling growth. Hatchlings in 20-ppt and 35-ppt salinities exhibited appetite suppression and saltwater avoidance and were more likely to show freshwater-seeking behaviors. H:L ratios were higher among hatchlings in 20-and 35-ppt salinities, consistent with a corticosterone-driven stress response to sustained high-salinity exposure, which may play a role in limiting growth. Our findings suggest hatchling growth and distribution among local habitats will vary spatially depending on habitat salinity and freshwater accessibility. The growth-limiting effects of chronically high salinity or limited access to freshwater could therefore increase hatchling mortality and be an important driver of spatial variation in terrapin demography and abundance. However, when freshwater sources are available, compensatory behaviors might reduce growth-limiting effects. Terrapin recruitment is likely to be impacted as rising sea levels, increased human water use, land development, and other anthropogenic changes alter freshwater inputs to coastal marshes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A. Ashley
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 East Green Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, 140 East Green Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Andrew K. Davis
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, 140 East Green Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Vanessa K. Terrell
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 East Green Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Connor Lake
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 East Green Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Cady Carden
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 East Green Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Lauren Head
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 East Green Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Rebacca Choe
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 East Green Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - John C. Maerz
- Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, 180 East Green Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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5
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Brusch GA, Gavira RSB, Viton R, Dupoué A, Leroux-Coyau M, Meylan S, Le Galliard JF, Lourdais O. Additive effects of temperature and water availability on pregnancy in a viviparous lizard. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 223:223/19/jeb228064. [PMID: 33046578 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.228064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
One of the greatest current threats to biodiversity is climate change. However, understanding of organismal responses to fluctuations in temperature and water availability is currently lacking, especially during fundamental life-history stages such as reproduction. To further explore how temperature and water availability impact maternal physiology and reproductive output, we used the viviparous form of the European common lizard (Zootoca vivipara) in a two-by-two factorial design manipulating both hydric and thermal conditions, for the first time. We collected blood samples and morphological measurements during early pregnancy and post-parturition to investigate how water availability, temperature and a combination of the two influence maternal phenology, morphology, physiology and reproductive output. We observed that dehydration during gestation negatively affects maternal physiological condition (lower mass gain, higher tail reserve mobilization) but has little effect on reproductive output. These effects are mainly additive to temperature regimes, with a proportional increase in maternal costs in warmer environments. Our study demonstrates the importance of considering combined effects of water and temperature when investigating organismal responses to climate changes, especially during periods crucial for species survival such as reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- George A Brusch
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), 79360 Villiers en Bois, France .,Department of Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74074, USA
| | - Rodrigo S B Gavira
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), 79360 Villiers en Bois, France
| | - Robin Viton
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), 79360 Villiers en Bois, France
| | - Andréaz Dupoué
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, IRD, INRA, Institut d'écologie et des sciences de l'environnement (IEES), 4 Place Jussieu, 75252 Paris Cedex 5, France
| | - Mathieu Leroux-Coyau
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, IRD, INRA, Institut d'écologie et des sciences de l'environnement (IEES), 4 Place Jussieu, 75252 Paris Cedex 5, France
| | - Sandrine Meylan
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, IRD, INRA, Institut d'écologie et des sciences de l'environnement (IEES), 4 Place Jussieu, 75252 Paris Cedex 5, France
| | - Jean-François Le Galliard
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, IRD, INRA, Institut d'écologie et des sciences de l'environnement (IEES), 4 Place Jussieu, 75252 Paris Cedex 5, France.,Ecole normale supérieure, PSL University, Département de biologie, CNRS, UMS 3194, Centre de recherche en écologie expérimentale et prédictive (CEREEP-Ecotron IleDeFrance), 11 chemin de Busseau, 77140 Saint-Pierre-lès-Nemours, France
| | - Olivier Lourdais
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), 79360 Villiers en Bois, France.,School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
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6
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Brusch GA, Mills AM, Walman RM, Masuda G, Byeon A, DeNardo DF, Stahlschmidt ZR. Dehydration enhances cellular and humoral immunity in a mesic snake community. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART 2020; 333:306-315. [PMID: 32277742 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The immunocompetence of a community of free-living animals can be affected by seasonality, sex, and parasite burden. However, each of these factors is often examined independently. Recent studies have also found that dehydration can enhance aspects of immunocompetence in drought-adapted species. To explore how all of these factors interact, and their effect on the immune system in mesic-adapted species, we collected blood samples from a community of free-ranging snakes in coastal South Carolina, United States, across 2 years. We specifically examined (a) how sex and seasonality influence humoral and cellular immunocompetence and parasite burden, (b) the dynamics among hydration state, parasite burden, and immunocompetence, and (c) whether mesic-adapted species also show enhanced innate immunity with dehydration. Consistent with previous work on drought-adapted species, we found that dehydration enhances multiple aspects of humoral immunity in mesic species, and we are the first to report that dehydration also enhances aspects of cellular immunocompetence. Contrary to previous results in other squamates, sex and season did not impact immunocompetence or parasite prevalence. Our results also reveal complex interactions among parasite prevalence, immunocompetence, and hydration state demonstrating that hydration state and parasitism are two ubiquitous factors that should continue to be considered in future studies examining ecoimmunological variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- George A Brusch
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona.,Centre d'Etudies Biologiques de Chizé, CNRS, Villiers en Bois, France
| | | | | | - Garrett Masuda
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, California
| | - Andy Byeon
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, California
| | - Dale F DeNardo
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
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7
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Rozen‐Rechels D, Dupoué A, Lourdais O, Chamaillé‐Jammes S, Meylan S, Clobert J, Le Galliard J. When water interacts with temperature: Ecological and evolutionary implications of thermo-hydroregulation in terrestrial ectotherms. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:10029-10043. [PMID: 31534711 PMCID: PMC6745666 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The regulation of body temperature (thermoregulation) and of water balance (defined here as hydroregulation) are key processes underlying ecological and evolutionary responses to climate fluctuations in wild animal populations. In terrestrial (or semiterrestrial) ectotherms, thermoregulation and hydroregulation closely interact and combined temperature and water constraints should directly influence individual performances. Although comparative physiologists traditionally investigate jointly water and temperature regulation, the ecological and evolutionary implications of these coupled processes have so far mostly been studied independently. Here, we revisit the concept of thermo-hydroregulation to address the functional integration of body temperature and water balance regulation in terrestrial ectotherms. We demonstrate how thermo-hydroregulation provides a framework to investigate functional adaptations to joint environmental variation in temperature and water availability, and potential physiological and/or behavioral conflicts between thermoregulation and hydroregulation. We extend the classical cost-benefit model of thermoregulation in ectotherms to highlight the adaptive evolution of optimal thermo-hydroregulation strategies. Critical gaps in the parameterization of this conceptual optimality model and guidelines for future empirical research are discussed. We show that studies of thermo-hydroregulation refine our mechanistic understanding of physiological and behavioral plasticity, and of the fundamental niche of the species. This is illustrated with relevant and recent examples of space use and dispersal, resource-based trade-offs, and life-history tactics in insects, amphibians, and nonavian reptiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Rozen‐Rechels
- Sorbonne Université, UPEC, CNRS, IRD INRAInstitut d'Écologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement, IEESParisFrance
| | - Andréaz Dupoué
- UMR 5321 CNRS-Université Toulouse III Paul SabatierStation d'Écologie Théorique et ExpérimentaleMoulisFrance
| | - Olivier Lourdais
- UMR 7372 CNRS-ULRCentre d'Études Biologiques de ChizéVilliers en BoisFrance
- School of Life SciencesArizona State UniversityTempeAZUSA
| | - Simon Chamaillé‐Jammes
- CNRS, Univ Montpellier, EPHE, IRD, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier 3Centre d'Écologie Fonctionnelle et ÉvolutiveMontpellierFrance
| | - Sandrine Meylan
- Sorbonne Université, UPEC, CNRS, IRD INRAInstitut d'Écologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement, IEESParisFrance
- Sorbonne UniversitéESPE de ParisParisFrance
| | - Jean Clobert
- UMR 5321 CNRS-Université Toulouse III Paul SabatierStation d'Écologie Théorique et ExpérimentaleMoulisFrance
| | - Jean‐François Le Galliard
- Sorbonne Université, UPEC, CNRS, IRD INRAInstitut d'Écologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement, IEESParisFrance
- École normale supérieure, CNRS, UMS 3194Centre de recherche en écologie expérimentale et prédictive (CEREEP‐Ecotron IleDeFrance), Département de biologiePSL Research UniversitySaint‐Pierre‐lès‐NemoursFrance
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8
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Murphy MS, DeNardo DF. Rattlesnakes Must Drink: Meal Consumption Does Not Improve Hydration State. Physiol Biochem Zool 2019; 92:381-385. [DOI: 10.1086/704081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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9
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Sandfoss MR, Lillywhite HB. Water relations of an insular pit viper. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 222:jeb.204065. [PMID: 30975741 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.204065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Colonization of novel habitats often requires plasticity or adaptation to local conditions. There is a critical need to maintain hydration in terrestrial environments having limited water. Atypical populations of Florida cottonmouth snakes, Agkistrodon conanti, inhabit continental islands with no permanent sources of fresh water. Here, we report investigations related to how these insular snakes maintain water balance considering the mainland conspecifics are semi-aquatic and typically associate with freshwater mesic habitats. We tested three hypotheses related to water relations of insular populations of cottonmouth snakes compared with those on the mainland. (1) Voluntary drinking of fresh water in free-ranging insular snakes should reflect a relationship to recency of rainfall more strongly than in mainland snakes. (2) Insular snakes will tolerate greater dehydration before drinking than will mainland snakes. (3) Insular snakes will avoid drinking seawater more strongly than will those from the mainland. Between 2001 and 2018, we quantitatively estimated the hydration status of 337 individual cottonmouth snakes from insular populations and 30 cottonmouth snakes from mainland Florida, as judged by the tendency of wild-caught snakes to drink fresh water immediately following capture. We found that insular cottonmouth snakes had a higher incidence of dehydration than did mainland cottonmouth snakes (64% versus 23%), and the hydration status of the insular snakes correlated with patterns of precipitation. We also determined experimentally the dehydration threshold for drinking fresh water in insular (mean±s.d. -5.64±4.3%, n=34) and mainland cottonmouth snakes (-5.74±4.5%, n=21), and these were not significantly different. Discrimination tests for drinking serially from a graded series of brackish water showed that mainland snakes did not discriminate against the highest brackish value (10.5 ppt or 30% seawater), whereas insular snakes showed a preference for <15% seawater. Naive neonates from insular and mainland cohorts behaved similarly. The preference of insular snakes for fresh water represents an important aspect of the maintenance of water balance that differs from the mainland conspecifics and is likely a habituated or adaptive response to dependence on rainfall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark R Sandfoss
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
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10
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Brusch GA, Christian K, Brown GP, Shine R, DeNardo DF. Dehydration enhances innate immunity in a semiaquatic snake from the wet‐dry tropics. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART 2019; 331:245-252. [DOI: 10.1002/jez.2260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Keith Christian
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Darwin NT Australia
| | - Gregory P. Brown
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Sydney Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Richard Shine
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Sydney Sydney NSW Australia
- Biological Sciences Macquarie University Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Dale F. DeNardo
- School of Life Sciences Arizona State University Tempe Arizona
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11
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Comanns P. Passive water collection with the integument: mechanisms and their biomimetic potential. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 221:221/10/jeb153130. [PMID: 29789349 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.153130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Several mechanisms of water acquisition have evolved in animals living in arid habitats to cope with limited water supply. They enable access to water sources such as rain, dew, thermally facilitated condensation on the skin, fog, or moisture from a damp substrate. This Review describes how a significant number of animals - in excess of 39 species from 24 genera - have acquired the ability to passively collect water with their integument. This ability results from chemical and structural properties of the integument, which, in each species, facilitate one or more of six basic mechanisms: increased surface wettability, increased spreading area, transport of water over relatively large distances, accumulation and storage of collected water, condensation, and utilization of gravity. Details are described for each basic mechanism. The potential for bio-inspired improvement of technical applications has been demonstrated in many cases, in particular for several wetting phenomena, fog collection and passive, directional transport of liquids. Also considered here are potential applications in the fields of water supply, lubrication, heat exchangers, microfluidics and hygiene products. These present opportunities for innovations, not only in product functionality, but also for fabrication processes, where resources and environmental impact can be reduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Comanns
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Biology II (Zoology), Worringerweg 3, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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