Site of water vapor absorption in the desert cockroach, Arenivaga investigata.
The desert cockroach, Arenivaga investigata, can gain weight by absorption of water-vapor from unsaturated atmospheres above 82.5% relative humidity. Blocking the anus or the dorsal surface with wax does not prevent water vapor uptake, but interference with movements of the mouthparts or blocking the mouth with wax-prevents such uptake. Weight gains are associated with the protrusion from the mouth of two bladder-like extensions of the hypopharynx. During absorption these structures are warmer than the surrounding mouthparts, their surface temperature increasing with relative humidity. This suggests that the surfaces of the bladder-like structures function at least as sites for condensation of water vapor, but the precise location of its transfer into the hemolymph has not yet been identified.
D000042:Absorption; D000220:Adaptation, Biological; D000818:Animals; D001834:Body Water / Q000502:physiology*; D003058:Cockroaches / Q000502:physiology*; D003889:Desert Climate; D009928:Organ Specificity
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