Responses of the whipscorpion, Mastigoproctus liochirus (Arachnida, Uropygi) to environmental humidity.
Experiments were conducted to determine the responses of third-instar nymphs of the whipscorpion Mastigoproctus liochirus to various moisture (relative humidity) levels under constant temperature conditions, using a linear humidity gradient apparatus. No previous data exist on the water relations of this uropygid. Under saturated conditions (100% RH) animals showed no preference for any section of the chamber. When a humidity gradient was established (20 to 100% RH), whipscorpions exhibited a marked preference for an area of the chamber characterized by 70 to 80% RH.
Punzo
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Department of Biology, University of Tampa, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, Florida 33606, USA. fpunzo@ut.edu
Ludwig
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L
D000064:Acclimatization / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D006813:Humidity; D009758:Nymph / Q000502:physiology; D012605:Scorpions / Q000502:physiology*; D013696:Temperature