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Field A, McGlashan JK, Salmon M. Evidence for Synchronous Hatching in Marine Turtle (Caretta caretta) Embryos and Its Influence on the Timing of Nest Emergence. CHELONIAN CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.2744/ccb-1489.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Angela Field
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida 33431 USA [; ]
| | - Jessica K. McGlashan
- School of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South DC, NSW 2751 Australia []
| | - Michael Salmon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida 33431 USA [; ]
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2
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Sensing underground activity: diel digging activity pattern during nest escape by sea turtle hatchlings. Anim Behav 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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3
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Souchet J, Gangloff EJ, Micheli G, Bossu C, Trochet A, Bertrand R, Clobert J, Calvez O, Martinez-Silvestre A, Darnet E, LE Chevalier H, Guillaume O, Mossoll-Torres M, Barthe L, Pottier G, Philippe H, Aubret F. High-elevation hypoxia impacts perinatal physiology and performance in a potential montane colonizer. Integr Zool 2020; 15:544-557. [PMID: 32649806 PMCID: PMC7689776 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is generating range shifts in many organisms, notably along the elevational gradient in mountainous environments. However, moving up in elevation exposes organisms to lower oxygen availability, which may reduce the successful reproduction and development of oviparous organisms. To test this possibility in an upward‐colonizing species, we artificially incubated developing embryos of the viperine snake (Natrix maura) using a split‐clutch design, in conditions of extreme high elevation (hypoxia at 2877 m above sea level; 72% sea‐level equivalent O2 availability) or low elevation (control group; i.e. normoxia at 436 m above sea level). Hatching success did not differ between the two treatments. Embryos developing at extreme high elevation had higher heart rates and hatched earlier, resulting in hatchlings that were smaller in body size and slower swimmers compared to their siblings incubated at lower elevation. Furthermore, post‐hatching reciprocal transplant of juveniles showed that snakes which developed at extreme high elevation, when transferred back to low elevation, did not recover full performance compared to their siblings from the low elevation incubation treatment. These results suggest that incubation at extreme high elevation, including the effects of hypoxia, will not prevent oviparous ectotherms from producing viable young, but may pose significant physiological challenges on developing offspring in ovo. These early‐life performance limitations imposed by extreme high elevation could have negative consequences on adult phenotypes, including on fitness‐related traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérémie Souchet
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Moulis, France
| | - Eric J Gangloff
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Moulis, France.,Department of Zoology, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio, USA
| | - Gaëlle Micheli
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Moulis, France
| | - Coralie Bossu
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Moulis, France
| | - Audrey Trochet
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Moulis, France
| | - Romain Bertrand
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Moulis, France
| | - Jean Clobert
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Moulis, France
| | - Olivier Calvez
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Moulis, France
| | | | - Elodie Darnet
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Moulis, France
| | - Hugo LE Chevalier
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Moulis, France
| | - Olivier Guillaume
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Moulis, France
| | - Marc Mossoll-Torres
- Bomosa, Pl. Parc de la Mola, Les Escaldes, Andorra.,Pirenalia, Encamp, Andorra
| | | | | | - Hervé Philippe
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Moulis, France.,Département de Biochimie, Centre Robert-Cedergren, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Fabien Aubret
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Moulis, France
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4
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Riley JL, Hudson S, Frenette-Ling C, Davy CM. All together now! Hatching synchrony in freshwater turtles. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-020-2800-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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5
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McGlashan JK, Thompson MB, Janzen FJ, Spencer R. Environmentally induced phenotypic plasticity explains hatching synchrony in the freshwater turtle
Chrysemys picta. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART 2018; 329:362-372. [DOI: 10.1002/jez.2217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Revised: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica K. McGlashan
- School of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney Penrith South DC NSW Australia
| | - Michael B. Thompson
- School of Biological Sciences, Heydon‐Laurence Building (A08), The University of Sydney Sydney NSW Australia
| | - Fredric J. Janzen
- Department of Ecology Evolution and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University Ames Iowa
| | - Ricky‐John Spencer
- School of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney Penrith South DC NSW Australia
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6
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Sartori MR, Kohl ZF, Taylor EW, Abe AS, Crossley DA. Convective oxygen transport during development in embryos of the snapping turtle Chelydra serpentina. J Exp Biol 2018; 221:jeb.185967. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.185967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the maturation of convective oxygen transport in embryos of the snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina). Measurements included: mass, oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate (fH), blood oxygen content and affinity and blood flow distribution at 50%, 70% and 90% of the incubation period. Body mass increased exponentially, paralleled by increased cardiac mass and metabolic rate. Heart rate was constant from 50% to 70% of incubation but was significantly reduced at 90%. Hematocrit (Hct) and hemoglobin concentration (Hb) were constant at the three points of development studied but arteriovenous difference (A-V diff) doubled from 50 to 90% of incubation. Oxygen affinity was lower early in 50% of incubation compared to all other age groups. Blood flow was directed predominantly to the embryo but highest to the CAM at 70% incubation and was directed away from the yolk as it was depleted at 90% incubation. The findings indicate that the plateau or reduction in egg VO2 characteristic of the late incubation period of turtle embryos may be related to an overall reduction in mass-specific VO2 that is correlated with decreasing relative heart mass and plateaued CAM blood flow. Importantly, if the blood properties remain unchanged prior to hatching, as they did during the incubation period studied in the current investigation, this could account for the pattern of VO2 previously reported for embryonic snapping turtles prior to hatching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina R. Sartori
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
- Department of Biological Sciences, Developmental Integrative Biology Cluster, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203-5017, USA
| | - Zachary F. Kohl
- Department of Biological Sciences, Developmental Integrative Biology Cluster, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203-5017, USA
| | - Edwin W. Taylor
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Augusto S. Abe
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
| | - Dane A. Crossley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Developmental Integrative Biology Cluster, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203-5017, USA
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Sun BJ, Li T, Mu Y, McGlashan JK, Georges A, Shine R, Du WG. Thyroid hormone modulates offspring sex ratio in a turtle with temperature-dependent sex determination. Proc Biol Sci 2017; 283:rspb.2016.1206. [PMID: 27798296 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.1206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The adaptive significance of temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) has attracted a great deal of research, but the underlying mechanisms by which temperature determines the sex of a developing embryo remain poorly understood. Here, we manipulated the level of a thyroid hormone (TH), triiodothyronine (T3), during embryonic development (by adding excess T3 to the eggs of the red-eared slider turtle Trachemys scripta, a reptile with TSD), to test two competing hypotheses on the proximate basis for TSD: the developmental rate hypothesis versus the hormone hypothesis Exogenous TH accelerated embryonic heart rate (and hence metabolic rate), developmental rate, and rates of early post-hatching growth. More importantly, hyperthyroid conditions depressed expression of Cyp19a1 (the gene encoding for aromatase) and levels of oestradiol, and induced more male offspring. This result is contrary to the direction of sex-ratio shift predicted by the developmental rate hypothesis, but consistent with that predicted by the hormone hypothesis Our results suggest an important role for THs in regulating sex steroid hormones, and therefore, in affecting gonadal sex differentiation in TSD reptiles. Our study has implications for the conservation of TSD reptiles in the context of global change because environmental contaminants may disrupt the activity of THs, and thereby affect offspring sex in TSD reptiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao-Jun Sun
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, People's Republic of China
| | - Teng Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Mu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, People's Republic of China
| | - Jessica K McGlashan
- Science and Health Hawkesbury Institute, University of Western Sydney, New South Wales 2751, Australia
| | - Arthur Georges
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Richard Shine
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences A08, University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Wei-Guo Du
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, People's Republic of China
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Hulbert AC, Mitchell TS, Hall JM, Guiffre CM, Douglas DC, Warner DA. The effects of incubation temperature and experimental design on heart rates of lizard embryos. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART 2017; 327:466-476. [DOI: 10.1002/jez.2135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Austin C. Hulbert
- Department of Biological Sciences; Auburn University; Auburn Alabama
| | | | - Joshua M. Hall
- Department of Biological Sciences; Auburn University; Auburn Alabama
| | - Cassia M. Guiffre
- Department of Biological Sciences; Auburn University; Auburn Alabama
| | | | - Daniel A. Warner
- Department of Biological Sciences; Auburn University; Auburn Alabama
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10
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Crossley DA, Crossley JL, Smith C, Harfush M, Sánchez-Sánchez H, Garduño-Paz MV, Méndez-Sánchez JF. Developmental cardiovascular physiology of the olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea). Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2017. [PMID: 28642099 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2017.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Our understanding of reptilian cardiovascular development and regulation has increased substantially for two species the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) and the common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) during the past two decades. However, what we know about cardiovascular maturation in many other species remains poorly understood or unknown. Embryonic sea turtles have been studied to understand the maturation of metabolic function, but these studies have not addressed the cardiovascular system. Although prior studies have been pivotal in characterizing development, and factors that influence it, the development of cardiovascular function, which supplies metabolic function, is unknown in sea turtles. During our investigation we focused on quantifying how cardiovascular morphological and functional parameters change, to provide basic knowledge of development in the olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea). Embryonic mass, as well as mass of the heart, lungs, liver, kidney, and brain increased during turtle embryo development. Although heart rate was constant during this developmental period, arterial pressure approximately doubled. Further, while embryonic olive ridley sea turtles lacked cholinergic tone on heart rate, there was a pronounced beta adrenergic tone on heart rate that decreased in strength at 90% of incubation. This beta adrenergic tone may be partially originating from the sympathetic nervous system at 90% of incubation, with the majority originating from circulating catecholamines. Data indicates that olive ridley sea turtles share traits of embryonic functional cardiovascular maturation with the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) but not the common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina).
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Affiliation(s)
- Dane Alan Crossley
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA.
| | - Janna Lee Crossley
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
| | - Camilla Smith
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
| | - Martha Harfush
- Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga CONANP-SEMARNAT, Mazunte, Tonameca, Oaxaca, Mexico
| | - Hermilo Sánchez-Sánchez
- Laboratorio de Ecofisiologia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Mónica Vanessa Garduño-Paz
- Laboratorio de Ecofisiologia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - José Fernando Méndez-Sánchez
- Laboratorio de Ecofisiologia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
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11
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Aubret F, Bignon F, Bouffet-Halle A, Blanvillain G, Kok PJR, Souchet J. Yolk removal generates hatching asynchrony in snake eggs. Sci Rep 2017; 7:3041. [PMID: 28596606 PMCID: PMC5465057 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-03355-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Hatching synchrony is wide-spread amongst egg-laying species and is thought to enhance offspring survival, notably by diluting predation risks. Turtle and snake eggs were shown to achieve synchronous hatching by altering development rates (where less advanced eggs may accelerate development) or by hatching prematurely (where underdeveloped embryos hatch concurrently with full-term embryos). In Natricine snakes, smaller eggs tend to slow down metabolism throughout incubation in order to hatch synchronously with larger eggs. To explore the underlying mechanism of this phenomenon we experimentally manipulated six clutches, where half of the eggs were reduced in mass by removing 7.2% of yolk, and half were used as the control. The former experienced higher heart rates throughout the incubation period, hatched earlier and produced smaller hatchlings than the latter. This study supports the idea that developmental rates are related to egg mass in snake eggs and demonstrates that the relationship can be influenced by removing yolk after egg-laying. The shift in heart rates however occurred in the opposite direction to expected, with higher heart rates in yolk-removed eggs resulting in earlier hatching rather than lower heart rates resulting in synchronous hatching, warranting further research on the topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabien Aubret
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale, Oula-Lab, CNRS, UMR 5321, 09200, Moulis, France.
| | - Florent Bignon
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale, Oula-Lab, CNRS, UMR 5321, 09200, Moulis, France
| | - Alix Bouffet-Halle
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale, Oula-Lab, CNRS, UMR 5321, 09200, Moulis, France
| | - Gaëlle Blanvillain
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale, Oula-Lab, CNRS, UMR 5321, 09200, Moulis, France
| | - Philippe J R Kok
- Amphibian Evolution Lab, Biology Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 2 Pleinlaan, B-1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jérémie Souchet
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale, Oula-Lab, CNRS, UMR 5321, 09200, Moulis, France
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Thapa S, Patel JA, Reuter-Carlson U, Schroeder NE. Embryogenesis in the parasitic nematode Heterodera glycines is independent of host-derived hatching stimulation. BMC DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2017; 17:2. [PMID: 28077087 PMCID: PMC5225516 DOI: 10.1186/s12861-016-0144-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many parasites regulate their development to synchronize their life cycle with a compatible host. The parasitic nematode Heterodera glycines displays incomplete host-mediated hatching behavior wherein some H. glycines individuals hatch only in the presence of a host-derived cue while others hatch in water alone. Furthermore, H. glycines shows variable hatching behavior based on oviposition location. The mechanisms regulating this hatching variability are unknown. In this study, we established a detailed timeline of the H. glycines pre-hatch development from early embryogenesis to the pre-hatched J2. These descriptive data were then used to test hypotheses regarding the effect of host stimulus and oviposition location on pre-hatch development. RESULTS We found that H. glycines develops from a single-cell egg to a fully formed J2 in approximately 172 hours. The stylet-based mouthpart, which is used to pierce the eggshell during hatching, is not completely formed until late in pre-hatch J2 development and is preceded by the formation of stylet protractor muscles. We also found that the primary motor nervous system of H. glycines did not complete development until late in pre-hatch J2 development. These data suggest possible structural requirements for H. glycines hatching. As expected, exposure of H. glycines eggs to host-derived cues increased the percentage of nematodes that hatched. However, exposure to hatching cues did not affect pre-hatch development. Similarly, we found no obvious differences in the pre-hatch developmental timeline between eggs laid in an egg sac or retained within the mother. CONCLUSIONS The pattern of early embryonic development in H. glycines was very similar to that recently described in the related parasitic nematode Meloidogyne incognita. However, the speed of H. glycines pre-hatch development was approximately three times faster than reported for M. incognita. Our results suggest that hatching stimulants do not affect embryogenesis itself but only influence the hatching decision once J2 development is complete. Similarly, the oviposition location does not alter the rate of embryogenesis. These results provide insight into the primary survival mechanism for this important parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sita Thapa
- Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave, Urbana, 61801 IL USA
| | - Jayna A. Patel
- Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave, Urbana, 61801 IL USA
| | - Ursula Reuter-Carlson
- Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave, Urbana, 61801 IL USA
| | - Nathan E. Schroeder
- Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave, Urbana, 61801 IL USA
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McGlashan JK, Thompson MB, Van Dyke JU, Spencer RJ. Thyroid Hormones Reduce Incubation Period without Developmental or Metabolic Costs in Murray River Short-Necked Turtles (Emydura macquarii). Physiol Biochem Zool 2017; 90:34-46. [DOI: 10.1086/689744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Aubret F, Bignon F, Kok PJR, Blanvillain G. Only child syndrome in snakes: Eggs incubated alone produce asocial individuals. Sci Rep 2016; 6:35752. [PMID: 27761007 PMCID: PMC5071763 DOI: 10.1038/srep35752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Egg-clustering and communal nesting behaviours provide advantages to offspring. Advantages range from anti-predatory benefits, maintenance of moisture and temperature levels within the nest, preventing the eggs from rolling, to enabling hatching synchrony through embryo communication. It was recently suggested that embryo communication may extend beyond development fine-tuning, and potentially convey information about the quality of the natal environment as well as provide an indication of forthcoming competition amongst siblings, conspecifics or even heterospecifics. Here we show that preventing embryos from communicating not only altered development rates but also strongly influenced post-natal social behaviour in snakes. Clutches of water snakes, Natrix maura, were split evenly into half-clutches and incubated as (1) clusters (i.e. eggs in physical contact with each other) or (2) as single eggs placed in individual goblets (i.e. no physical contact amongst sibling eggs). Single incubated eggs produced less-sociable young snakes than their siblings that were incubated in a cluster: the former were more active, less aggregated and physically contacted each other less often than the latter. Potential long-term effects and evolutionary drivers for this new example of informed dispersal are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabien Aubret
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale, CNRS, UMR 5321, 09200 Moulis, France
| | - Florent Bignon
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale, CNRS, UMR 5321, 09200 Moulis, France
| | - Philippe J R Kok
- Amphibian Evolution Lab, Biology Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 2 Pleinlaan, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gaëlle Blanvillain
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale, CNRS, UMR 5321, 09200 Moulis, France
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15
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Heartbeat, embryo communication and hatching synchrony in snake eggs. Sci Rep 2016; 6:23519. [PMID: 26988725 PMCID: PMC4796811 DOI: 10.1038/srep23519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Communication is central to life at all levels of complexity, from cells to organs, through to organisms and communities. Turtle eggs were recently shown to communicate with each other in order to synchronise their development and generate beneficial hatching synchrony. Yet the mechanism underlying embryo to embryo communication remains unknown. Here we show that within a clutch, developing snake embryos use heart beats emanating from neighbouring eggs as a clue for their metabolic level, in order to synchronise development and ultimately hatching. Eggs of the water snake Natrix maura increased heart rates and hatched earlier than control eggs in response to being incubated in physical contact with more advanced eggs. The former produced shorter and slower swimming young than their control siblings. Our results suggest potential fitness consequences of embryo to embryo communication and describe a novel driver for the evolution of egg-clustering behaviour in animals.
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