Animal Aqueduct.

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  • Author(s): Reebs, Stéphan
  • Source:
    Natural History. Nov2007, Vol. 116 Issue 9, p14-14. 1/3p. 1 Color Photograph.
  • Additional Information
    • Subject Terms:
      LIZARD anatomy; SCALES (Reptiles); SKIN; MICROSCOPY; ANIMAL adaptation; SHERBROOKE, Wade C.; REPTILE behavior
    • Abstract:
      The article discusses a study on the scale-covered skin of the Texas horned lizard and the Australian thorny devil. Using advanced microscopy, a research team led by Wade C. Sherbrooke of the American Museum of Natural History in New York discovered minute ducts beneath the base of the skin scales. The hair-fine ducts connect to form a network that covers the lizard's body and opens up in the corner of the mouth. The researchers think that water, pulled by capillary action, slips under the scales and spreads through the interconnected ducts. The animal, apparently by moving its tongue and jaws in a particular way, can draw the water into its mouth and take a sip.