Anus absorbs water: woodlice

1 of 2 Sea Slater (Ligia oceanica) / me'nthedogs / License

The anus of some woodlice can soak up water using posterior abdominal appendages and capillary action.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"1. Experiments were undertaken to determine the site of water uptake, and the conditions in which it occurs, in Ligia oceanica, Oniscus asellus, Porcellio scaber and Armadillidium vulgare.

"2. Besides absorbing water with moist food, all four species were capable of active imbibition of water through both mouth and anus when a free water surface was available. In Ligia oceanica, imbibition occurred largely through the anus, in other species, through the mouth." (Spencer 1954:496)

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Application Ideas: Humidity control devices for buildings, humidity control chambers, self-watering planters.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: HVAC, lab equipment, greenhouses

References

Spencer, J. O. 1954. THE Absorption of Water by Woodlice. Journal of Experimental Biology. 31(4): 491-496.

Anus absorbs water: woodlice

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