THE INFLUENCE OF HUMIDITY ON THE BODY TEMPERATURE OF CERTAIN POIKILOTHERMS

Abstract

Amphibians show marked response in body temp. to environmental variations in relative humidity. When subjected to an atmosphere of 7% relative humidity at 20[degree] C, a depression of several degrees C. may occur in their body temp. Reptiles show very little response to variations in relative humidity. The integument apparently prevents the evaporation of moisture from the surface of the body. The evolution of the scaly integument of reptiles from the slimy and moist skin of amphibians, with the concomitant power of water retention, is perhaps an important step in the evolution of homoiothermism.