Thermal effect on evaporative water loss and haemolymph osmolarity in scorpions at low and high humidities

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

1. 1. Evaporative water loss and haemolymph osmolarity were studied in four scorpion species: two from mesic habitats, Scorpio maurus fuscus ( Scorpionidae) and Nebo hierochonticus (Diplocentridae); and two from xeric habitats, Buthotus judaicus and Leiurus quinquestriatus (both Buthidae). 2. 2. Low humidity and high temperatures increased both the percentage and the rate of water loss. This effect was more pronounced in the two mesic species. 3. 3. Haemolymph osmolarity increased at high temperature and low humidity. In humid air osmolarity dropped only in the mesic species but remained high in the xeric species. 4. 4. Haemolymph osmolarity was low in winter and high in summer.