Changes in body fluids of the frog Leptodactylus fuscus during estivation (Anura, Leptodactylidae)
Abe, A.S.; Garcia, L.S.
Revista Brasileira de Biologia 50(1): 243-247
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0034-7108 PMID: 2089487 Document Number: 360027
The frog, L. fuscus, becomes dormant during the dry season in southeastern Brazil. Plasma and urine were obtained and analyzed for K+, Na+, and osmotic concentrations in active and aestivating frogs. Soil water potential from the aestivation sites was compared with the osmotic concentrations of the frog. Plasma and urine osmotic concentrations (286,2 .+-. 13,8 and 242,3 .+-. 17,2 mOsm1-1, respectively) were higher in the aestivating than in active frogs (240,3 .+-. 12,8 and 112,7 .+-. 15,6 mOsmol-1; plasma and urine), and the same holds true for plasma K+ content. The Na+ concentration was the same for active and aestivating frogs. Soil water potential corresponded to osmotic pressure of 110 mOsml, showing that L. fuscus may uptake water from the soil during the aestivation.