Aspects of the respiratory and excretory physiology of the nymph ofUropetala carovei(Odonata: Petaluridae)

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Abstract
Respiration and excretion were investigated experimentally in the semi‐terrestrial nymph of the dragonfly Uropetala carovei (White, 1874). The rate of oxygen uptake in large nymphs is only slightly less in air than in water, but in smaller nymphs it is markedly less. In both water and air the oxygen uptake of large nymphs at 25°c is more than double its value at 15°c; that of small nymphs barely increases in air but doubles in water. The principal nitrogenous excretory product of the nymphs is ammonia (mean: 91 % of total N). Urea and uric acid contribute respectively only 6% and 3% of total N excretion. Burrow water contains ammonia and urea, but no detectable uric acid; similar results were obtained from adjacent stream water. The significance of these results is discussed with reference to the semi‐terrestrial mode of life of the nymphs.
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