G. Achuthan Nair and Fathi Ali Attia
Abstract
The transpiration rates of male and female Porcellio scaber exposed for one hour to nine different temperatures ranging from 0°C to 40°C increased gradually from lower to higher gardients and a significant difference in transpiration between sexes was discernible at 0°C and at 40°C. Higher rates of transpiration were evident in animal previously acclimatized in dry or at 35°C than in wet or at 25 or 10°C. Acclimatization of P. scaber to 10°C or to 25°C for 15 days had marked effects on their behaviour and activity when later exposed to rising temperatures. Exposure of male and female P. scaber to 10°C or to 25°C for 30 days affected their feeding and assimilation rates with higher temperatures increasing these rates significantly. However, increased assimilation efficiency and moisture content were discernible in those conditioned at 10°C.