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The Water-collecting Mechanism of Moloch horridus Re-examined

In: Amphibia-Reptilia
Authors:
Carl Gans
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,
R. Merlin
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, and
W.F.C. Blumer
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Online Publication Date:
01 Jan 1982
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Abstract

The Australian desert lizard, Moloch, has been reported to collect water by aposing its body to wet surfaces. This water passes through small open capillary channels over the integumentary surface to reach the mouth where it is swallowed. Experiments and scanning micrographs show that water collection and water transport are more complex and occur in different regions of the integument than described. Observations on other agamids from the same region indicate the extent to which agamid skin generally permits water passage; they allow a better definition of the specializations of Moloch.

Title:
The Water-collecting Mechanism of Moloch horridus Re-examined
Article Type:
Research Article
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1163/156853882X00167
Language:
English
Pages:
57–64
In:
Amphibia-Reptilia
In:
Volume 3: Issue 1
Publisher:
Brill
E-ISSN:
1568-5381
Print ISSN:
0173-5373
Subjects:
Biology & Environmental Sciences, Biology

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