Effects of metamorphosis on water permeability of skin in the salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum.
Developmentally associated changes in the pressure driven water permeability of the skin of the salamander Ambystoma tigrinum were measured at 20 degrees C in neotenic (gilled), transitional, and fully transformed adults. Mean values for the hydraulic conductivity of the skin (Lp, X 10(-5) cm.sec-1.ATM-1) were, respectively, 1.54, 0.54 and 0.13. This nearly 12-fold decrease in the H2O permeability coincides with the transition from aquatic to terrestrial life and may be related to the changing role of the skin in water conservation. The increase in hydraulic conductivity is opposite to the decrease in H2O diffusion rates reported by others. We suggest a theoretical basis for the apparently conflicting results.
D000557:Ambystoma / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D004058:Diffusion; D008675:Metamorphosis, Biological; D010539:Permeability; D011312:Pressure; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism
D014867:Water