Abstract
Aquatic newts (Notophthalmus viridescens) are able to adapt to terrestrial environments in nature. In this study aquatic newts were made to adapt to a simulated terrestrial environment of moist paper towels. Along with the typical morphological changes of tail fin loss and change of the skin from smooth and mucous to rough and dry, a variety of physiological adaptations were observed. When dehydrated in a stream of dry air, aquatic newts lost motor control (the ability to right themselves) after a water loss of only 22% of body weight. Aquatic newts adapted to a simulated terrestrial environment (terrestrial newts) maintained motor control until a water loss of 30% of body weight occurred. During rehydration, dehydrated terrestrial newts regained water five times as fast as dehydrated aquatic newts. Terrestrial newts showed a slightly greater dehydration rate than did the aquatic newts. Both aquatic and terrestrial newts could maintain themselves in sodium and chloride balance in a 1 mM NaCl solution, h...
Published Version
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