Evaporative water loss in scaleless snakes

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Abstract

  • 1.

    Rates of water loss were measured in two aberrant scaleless water snakes, Natrix sipedon, and in six normal animals.

  • 2.

    Pulmocutaneous water loss of the scaleless animals was equal to or less than that of the controls at 20, 27, and 34°C.

  • 3.

    The thermal dependence of pulmocutaneous water loss in all snakes was low (Q10 = 1·31–1·89).

  • 4.

    The proportion of total water loss due to cutaneous evaporation (86·5%) in a scaleless animal at 20°C was similar to that previously reported for normal Natrix.

  • 5.

    Thus, reptilian scales and their associated features (e.g. thick keratin layers, superficial dermal layer) cannot be considered adaptations for the curtailment of integumentary water loss.

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Present address: School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92664, U.S.A.

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