THERMAL DEPENDENCE OF WATER AND ELECTROLYTE EXCRETION IN 2 SPECIES OF LIZARDS

Lizards with different preferred temperatures were water-loaded, and their ability to excrete excess water and conserve electrolytes was tested at several temperatures. Rates of water excretion were much less temperature dependent in lizards having a low preferred temperature, but were maximal at about 30-35[degree]C in both species. Urinary Na levels were minimal at temperatures near the respective preferred temperature of each species. Urinary K levels were low and apparently not temperature dependent over most of the range studied, but increased as lethal temperatures were approached.