STUDIES ON ANURAN WATER BALANCE - .I. DYNAMICS OF EVAPORATIVE WATER LOSS BY COQUI ELEUTHERODACTYLUS PORTORICENSIS

1. 1. Rate of loss depends on activity, body size and posture. Activity increases rate of loss up to 200 per cent above standard rate, largely through changes in exposed surface area (maximum effect of 130 per cent) and gradient upsets (maximum effect 30 per cent). Effects of elevated metabolism probably account for the rest. 2. 2. Standard rate of juveniles, even when expressed on the basis of exposed surface area, was approximately double that of adults. 3. 3. No evidence was obtained that the skin itself exerts any physiological control over evaporative loss. © 1969.