BIO220H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 27: Aestivation, Protein Catabolism, Synapomorphy
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BIO220H1 Full Course Notes
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Because of osmosis, water is constantly moving out of amphibians and other water organisms. For terrestrial amphibians the problem is that evaporation is moving water out of their bodies. For amphibians, they do not drink, and many frogs have a layer on their backleg called the pelvic patch which does actually absorb water. Instead of drinking frogs simply absorb water across their skin. Some frogs, such as waxy monkey frog, produce lipids and secrete them around their bodies. The liquid covering prevents water from moving across their skin. For amphibians many find a damp place to sit in order to conserve moisture. Some frogs which are water stressed will come together to reduce surface areas. There are desert amphibians, spending 9-10 months underground and aestivate during dry spells. During rain these frogs sit in pools of water and fill their bladders with water.
