Journal of Environmental Biology

Responses of the whipscorpion, Mastigoproctus liochirus (Arachnida, Uropygi) to environmental humidity

 

F. Punzo and L. Ludwig

Department of Biology, University of Tampa, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, Florida 33606, USA

 

(Received: 21 April, 2005 ; Accepted: 28 December, 2005)

 

Abstract: Experiments were conducted to determine the responses of third-instar nymphs of the whipscorpion Mastigoproctus liochirus? to various moisture (relative humidity) levels under constant temperature conditions, using a linear humidity gradient apparatus. No previous data exist on the water relations of this uropygid. Under saturated conditions (100% RH) animals showed no preference for any section of the chamber. When a humidity gradient was established (20 to 100% RH), whipscorpions exhibited a marked preference for an area of the chamber characterized by 70 to 80% RH.

 

Key words: Humidity preferences, Humidity gradient, Mastigoproctus liochirus.

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