Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Osmoregulation in Insects

Osmoregulation in Insects

Malpighian tubules are specialized structures found in the digestive systems of many arthropods, including most insects, that handle excretion and osmoregulation. The tubules are typically arranged in pairs and have a convoluted structure that increases their surface area.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Host and Environmental Drivers of Gut Microbiome Variation in Wild Anolis Lizards.

Molecular ecology·2026

Same author

Ecological overlap and divergence in natural and urbanized habitats in two species of sympatric anoles.

Journal of thermal biology·2026

Same author

Plasticity and regional heterothermy of upper thermal tolerance in the ring-necked snake.

Journal of thermal biology·2025

Same author

Higher parasite load is associated with lower heat tolerance in a tropical lizard.

The Journal of experimental biology·2025

Same author

Beating the Heat: A Lowland Tropical Lizard Expresses Heat Shock Protein Networks in Response to Acute Thermal Stress.

Integrative and comparative biology·2025

Same author

The genetic basis of a colorful signal: the polymorphic dewlap of the slender anole (Anolis apletophallus).

Heredity·2025

Same journal

Balance control after slip-like perturbations in human running when systematically altering forward trunk leaning.

The Journal of experimental biology·2026

Same journal

Heuristic rules for co-operative transport in wood ant nest maintenance.

The Journal of experimental biology·2026

Same journal

Chytridiomycosis infection and heat compromises sperm quality in a threatened frog.

The Journal of experimental biology·2026

Same journal

When repair mechanisms fail to keep up: high UVB irradiance causes disproportionate accumulation of DNA lesions.

The Journal of experimental biology·2026

Same journal

Interaction between dynamic reinforcement learning and working memory of pigeon: A comparative modeling study.

The Journal of experimental biology·2026

Same journal

Differential responses to photoperiod in juveniles of two migratory songbird species.

The Journal of experimental biology·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Using Enclosed Y-Mazes to Assess Chemosensory Behavior in Reptiles

Using Enclosed Y-Mazes to Assess Chemosensory Behavior in Reptiles

Published on: April 7, 2021

Matched regulation of gastrointestinal performance in the Burmese python, Python molurus.

Christian L Cox¹, Stephen M Secor

¹Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0344, USA. clcox@uta.edu

The Journal of Experimental Biology

|March 18, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Burmese pythons dramatically adjust their digestive systems after feeding. Enzyme activities and nutrient uptake increase significantly, demonstrating a coordinated response to digestion.

More Related Videos

Reproductive Techniques for Ovarian Monitoring and Control in Amphibians

Reproductive Techniques for Ovarian Monitoring and Control in Amphibians

Published on: May 12, 2019

Studying the Activity of Neuropeptides and Other Regulators of the Excretory System in the Adult Mosquito

Studying the Activity of Neuropeptides and Other Regulators of the Excretory System in the Adult Mosquito

Published on: August 24, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Using Enclosed Y-Mazes to Assess Chemosensory Behavior in Reptiles

Using Enclosed Y-Mazes to Assess Chemosensory Behavior in Reptiles

Published on: April 7, 2021

Reproductive Techniques for Ovarian Monitoring and Control in Amphibians

Reproductive Techniques for Ovarian Monitoring and Control in Amphibians

Published on: May 12, 2019

Studying the Activity of Neuropeptides and Other Regulators of the Excretory System in the Adult Mosquito

Studying the Activity of Neuropeptides and Other Regulators of the Excretory System in the Adult Mosquito

Published on: August 24, 2021

Area of Science:

Comparative Physiology
Gastrointestinal Biology
Herpetology

Background:

Fasting and feeding induce significant physiological changes in reptiles.
The Burmese python (Python bivittatus) is an ideal model for studying digestive adaptation due to its infrequent feeding habits.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the matched regulation of digestive enzyme activities and nutrient uptake in Burmese pythons postfeeding.
To quantify changes in gastric, pancreatic, and intestinal enzyme capacities and their correlation with nutrient absorption.

Main Methods:

Collected tissue samples from fasted pythons and at various time points (0.25 to 15 days) after consuming a large meal.
Assayed activities of gastric pepsin, pancreatic amylase and trypsin, and intestinal aminopeptidase-N and maltase.
Measured intestinal capacities for sugar and protein uptake.

Main Results:

Pancreas and small intestine mass doubled postfeeding, while stomach mass remained unchanged.
Peak activities of pancreatic enzymes (trypsin, amylase) and intestinal enzymes (maltase, aminopeptidase-N) increased significantly (up to 20-fold).
Enzyme activities peaked at 2-4 days postfeeding, returning to baseline by day 10; activities declined from proximal to distal intestine.

Conclusions:

Burmese pythons exhibit a highly coordinated upregulation of gastrointestinal morphology, enzyme production, and nutrient transport capacity following a meal.
This demonstrates a remarkable adaptation for efficient nutrient assimilation in response to intermittent feeding patterns.