Meeting Abstract

6.8  Jan. 4  Carbohydrate catabolism and its role in water balance of the sand scorpion, Smeringurus mesaensis, during desiccation GEFEN, E.; University of Nevada, Las Vegas gefene@unlv.nevada.edu

Adult Smeringurus mesaensis (Vaejovidae) were desiccated at 30^oC and 15-30%RH to 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10% loss of initial mass. Oxygen consumption and CO₂ emission rates at mass loss levels of 7.5 and 10% were significantly lower than initial values (p<0.001). No significant effect of sex on metabolic rate was observed at any mass loss level. Initial respiratory quotient (RQ) values of ~1.0 indicate carbohydrate catabolism. Despite losing mass, scorpions maintained their hydration state using metabolic water and water previously bound to carbohydrates. However, the availability of metabolic and bound water decreases with the drop in metabolic rate as desiccation progresses. Interestingly, decreased metabolic rates coincided with RQ values higher than 1.0. This may suggest lipid synthesis from a carbohydrate source, thus resulting in the release of more bound water than if carbohydrates were catabolised for metabolic needs only.