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Temperature regulation and water balance of day-active Zophosis congesta beetles in East Africa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

Eivin Røskaft ,
Karl Erik Zachariassen ,
Geoffrey M. O. Maloiy  and
John M. Z. Kamau
Eivin Røskaft
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, The University of Trondheim, N-7055 Dragvoll, Norway
Karl Erik Zachariassen
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, The University of Trondheim, N-7055 Dragvoll, Norway Department of Animal Physiology, University of Nairobi, PO Box 30197, Nairobi, Kenya
Geoffrey M. O. Maloiy
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Physiology, University of Nairobi, PO Box 30197, Nairobi, Kenya
John M. Z. Kamau
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Physiology, University of Nairobi, PO Box 30197, Nairobi, Kenya
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Abstract

East African tenebrionid beetles of the species Zophosis congesta are active on sun-exposed surfaces in dry habitats during the hottest part of the day, when most other animals have retreated to protected areas. They remain on the surface at ambient temperatures up to 65°C which is 15°C above their highest tolerated body temperature. The beetles appear to regulate their body temperature behaviourally. They frequently rest and cool in the shade, and after each cooling period they remain on the sun-exposed surface until the heat influx from the environment has caused the body temperature to rise close to the lethal level. They have relatively low rates of transpiratory water loss, and appear unable to depress their body temperature by means of evaporative heat loss. The rate of metabolic production of water amounts to only about 20% of the rate of transpiratory water loss. Thus, the beetles depend strongly on water intake from dietary sources. The advantage of this type of activity pattern is probably avoidance of predators.

Keywords

behaviourColeopteraKenyasemideserttemperature regulationTenebrioni-daewater balance
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 2 , Issue 2 , May 1986 , pp. 139 - 146
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1986

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References

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