Seasonal variation in the rate of evaporative water loss in the kangaroo rat, Dipodomys panamintinus

Abstract

1. 1. Evaporative water loss was measured as a function of temperature, season and grouping in the kangaroo rat, Dipodomys panamintinus for a one year period. 2. 2. Three groups of Panamint kangaroo rats were set up and studied during the various changes in season. The three groups were designated as field, exposed and control. These groups revealed the effects of acclimatization, captive acclimatization and laboratory acclimatization respectively. 3. 3. There is a highly significant difference in the rate of evaporative water loss in the Field Panamint kangaroo rats during the Fall, Winter and Spring. 4. 4. In general, the quantity of water loss via evaporation was higher in the female Panamint kangaroo rats. 5. 5. Water loss via evaporation in the control and exposed groups was least affected by seasonal change. 6. 6. In comparison to the other two groups, the field male and female Panimint kangaroo rats possessed the highest slope (rate) and mean (quantity) for all seasons. 7. 7. The combined effect of both grouping and season affects both the rate and quantity of evaporative water loss in the Panamint kangaroo rat.