The interaction between animals, their water use and heat regulation.
Keywords: osmoregulation; water balance; metabolism; electrolytes; nitrogenous wastes
Ecology of Water Relations and Thermoregulation
Dorian S Houser, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California, USA
Daniel E Crocker, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California, USA
Daniel P Costa, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, USA
Published online: May 2005
DOI: 10.1038/npg.els.0003216
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Figure 1. A simple schematic of the primary processes important to maintain cellular homeostasis.
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Figure 2. Schematic of ways water and electrolytes enter and leave a marine mammal. Excretion of electrolyte and water as milk only occurs when females are lactating.
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Figure 3. Skull of a California sea lion with an exploded view showing the nasal turbinates. (Photo by J. Hiatt.)
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Figure 4. Nitrogen as a waste product is excreted in three different chemical forms depending on the organism.
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Figure 5. The overall shape of mammalian kidneys varies, with marine mammals showing the greatest development of a reniculate or lobulate kidney. (Adapted from Slijper,
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| References | |
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| book Costa DP (2002) "Osmoregulation". In: Perrin WF, Thewissen JGM and Wursig B (eds) Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals pp. 337–342. San Diego: Academic Press. | |
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| Further Reading | |
| book Gupta BL and Ramsay J (eds) (1977) Transport of Ions and Water in Animals. New York: Academic Press. | |
| book Hadley NF (1994) Water Relations of Terrestrial Arthropods. San Diego: Academic Press. | |
| book Hazon N, Flik G and (eds) (2002) Osmoregulation and Drinking in Vertebrates. Oxford: BIOS. | |
| book Maloiy GMO (ed.) (1979) Comparative Physiology of Osmoregulation in Animals. New York: Academic Press. | |
| book Peaker MJ and Linzell JL (1975) Salt Glands in Birds and Reptiles. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. | |
| book Rankin JC and Davenport J (1981) Animal Osmoregulation. New York: Wiley. | |
| book Skadhauge E (1981) Osmoregulation in Birds. New York: Springer-Verlag. | |
