RAIN-HARVEST DRINKING BY PHRYNOSOMA DITMARSI IN SONORA, MEXICO

摘要

In deserts, the capture of rain for drinking by lizards is difficult. Unusual behavioral and morphological features for capturing raindrops on skin surfaces have been documented in a few lizards, including three horned lizard species (Phrynosoma). We document rain-harvesting behavior for drinking by an adult female of an additional species, Phrynosoma ditmarsi, a species little studied since its discovery in 1890-1891. Emerging biomimicry applications of discovered unique directional features for capillary transport of water by scale hinges in P. cornutum suggest the value of further detailed research of this rain capture and transport system with additional Phrynosoma species.