Acclimation, water and temperature relations of the woodlice Metoponorthus pruinosus and Periscyphis jannonei in the Sudan

The transpiration rate of P. jannonei is lower than that of M. pruinosus , and low even compared to that of the desert woodlouse, H. reaumuri of North Africa. Different populations of the same species of woodlouse may have transpiration rates which are related to the xeric nature of their environment, but rapid acclimation in the rate of water‐loss does occur. Both species, however, show quick acclimation to high and low temperature, not only as regards their time of survival in saturated air at 41·5°C (L.T. 50 for exposure of 30 minutes) but also in their metabolic rates.