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Cann AA, Muñoz A, Lentini I, Benjamin T, Thompson D, Anne Harden L, Milanovich JR. Spatial and thermal ecology of juvenile head‐started Blanding's turtles
Emydoidea blandingii. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/wlb3.01074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Armand A. Cann
- Dept of Biology, Loyola Univ. Chicago Chicago IL USA
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Chicago IL USA
| | - Andrés Muñoz
- Dept of Biology, Loyola Univ. Chicago Chicago IL USA
| | - Isabella Lentini
- Dept of Biology, Loyola Univ. Chicago Chicago IL USA
- Nursing Dept, DePaul Univ. Chicago IL USA
| | | | - Daniel Thompson
- Dept of Natural Resources, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County Wheaton IL USA
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Reshetnikov AN, Zibrova MG, Ayaz D, Bhattarai S, Borodin OV, Borzée A, Brejcha J, Çiçek K, Dimaki M, Doronin IV, Drobenkov SM, Gichikhanova UA, Gladkova AY, Gordeev DA, Ioannidis Y, Ilyukh MP, Interesova EA, Jadhav TD, Karabanov DP, Khabibullin VF, Khabilov TK, Khan MMH, Kidov AA, Klimov AS, Kochetkov DN, Kolbintsev VG, Kuzmin SL, Lotiev KY, Louppova NE, Lvov VD, Lyapkov SM, Martynenko IM, Maslova IV, Masroor R, Mazanaeva LF, Milko DA, Milto KD, Mozaffari O, Nguyen TQ, Novitsky RV, Petrovskiy AB, Prelovskiy VA, Serbin VV, Shi HT, Skalon NV, Struijk RPJH, Taniguchi M, Tarkhnishvili D, Tsurkan VF, Tyutenkov OY, Ushakov MV, Vekhov DA, Xiao F, Yakimov AV, Yakovleva TI, Yang P, Zeleev DF, Petrosyan VG. Rarely naturalized, but widespread and even invasive: the paradox of a popular pet terrapin expansion in Eurasia. NEOBIOTA 2023. [DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.81.90473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The North American terrapin, the red-eared slider, has globally recognized invasive status. We built a new extensive database using our own original and literature data on the ecology of this reptile, representing information on 1477 water bodies throughout Eurasia over the last 50 years. The analysis reveals regions of earliest introductions and long-term spatio-temporal dynamics of the expansion covering now 68 Eurasian countries, including eight countries reported here for the first time. We established also long-term trends in terms of numbers of terrapins per aquatic site, habitat occupation, and reproduction success. Our investigation has revealed differences in the ecology of the red-eared slider in different parts of Eurasia. The most prominent expression of diverse signs of invasion success (higher portion of inhabited natural water bodies, higher number of individuals per water body, successful overwintering, occurrence of juvenile individuals, successful reproduction, and establishment of populations) are typical for Europe, West Asia and East Asia and tend to be restricted to coastal regions and islands. Reproduction records coincide well with the predicted potential range based on climatic requirements but records of successful wintering have a wider distribution. This invader provides an excellent and possibly unique (among animals) example of wide alien distribution, without the establishment of reproducing populations, but through the recruitment of new individuals to rising pseudopopulations due to additional releases. Therefore, alongside the potential reproduction range, a cost-effective strategy for population control must take in account the geographical area of successful wintering.
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Feng W, Lougheed SC. Integrating eDNA and citizen science observations to model distribution of a temperate freshwater turtle near its northern range limit. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15120. [PMID: 36987453 PMCID: PMC10040185 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background To determine species distributions and the factors underlying them, reliable occurrence data are crucial. Assembling such data can be challenging for species with cryptic life histories or that occur at low densities. Methods We developed species-specific eDNA protocols, from sampling through data interpretation, to detect the common musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) and tested whether eDNA occurrences change our understanding of the species distribution and the factors that shape its northern range limit. We used Species Distribution Models (SDMs) with full parameter optimization on citizen science observations of S. odoratus in Southern Ontario alone and together with eDNA occurrences. Results Our eDNA protocol was robust and sensitive. SDMs built from traditional observations and those supplemented with eDNA detections were comparable in prediction accuracy. However, models with eDNA detections suggested that the distribution of S. odoratus in Southern Ontario is underestimated, especially near its northern range limit, and that it is shaped by thermal conditions, hydrology, and elevation. Our study underscores the promise of eDNA for surveying cryptic aquatic organisms in undocumented areas, and how such insights can help us to improve our understanding of species distributions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxi Feng
- Biology, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- College of Environment Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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YOLDAS T, ERİŞMİŞ UC. Hayvanlarda Soğuğa Dayanıklılık: Çift Yaşarların Kriyobiyolojisi. COMMAGENE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.31594/commagene.1176451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Organizmalar yaşamlarını devam ettirebilmek için abiyotik çevresel koşullara uyum sağlarlar. Özellikle ortam sıcaklığındaki değişimler; canlıların beslenme, üreme, gelişim ve morfolojileri üzerinde etkilidir. Sıra dışı sıcaklık değişimleri özellikle ektotermik hayvanlar için ölümcül olabilir. Karasal ektotermler. doğada donma noktasının altındaki sıcaklıklarda hayatta kalabilmek için davranışsal, fizyolojik ve biyokimyasal bazı özel stratejiler geliştirmişlerdir. Bazı türler göç ederek su ya da toprak altında kış uykusuna yatmak suretiyle dondurucu sıcaklıklardan kaçınırlar. Bazıları ise donma koşullarına maruz kalarak kışı geçirmek zorundadırlar. Genel olarak dondurucu soğuğa dayanıklılık donmadan kaçınma (süper soğuma) ve donma toleransı stratejilerine bağlıdır. Donmadan kaçınma durumunda vücut sıvılarının donma noktasının altındaki sıcaklıklarda sıvı formu korunurken donma toleransı stratejisini kullanan canlılarda ise vücutlarındaki toplam suyun %50’sinden fazlasının donması tolere edilebilir. Karasal hibernatör hayvanlardan bazı amfibi ve sürüngen gruplarında da tespit edilen donma toleransı stratejisi onların dondurucu kış koşullarında hayatta kalmalarını sağlamaktadır. Bu özel türler kriyoprotektif mekanizmaları ile donmanın ölümcül etkilerinden korunurlar. Donma süresince yaşamsal faaliyetleri tamamen duran bu hayvanlar çözündükten sonra kısa bir süre içerisinde de normal yaşama dönerler. Bu mucizevi mekanizmanın araştırılması yalnızca hayvanların karmaşık adaptasyonunu açıklamakla kalmaz, aynı zamanda doku ve hücre kriyoprezervasyon teknolojisine de kaynak sağlar. Bu derleme amfibilerin donma toleransı stratejilerine dair bilgiler sunarak henüz yeterince çalışılmamış bu konuda araştırma yapmak isteyenlere katkı sağlayacaktır.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taner YOLDAS
- DÜZCE ÜNİVERSİTESİ, BİLİMSEL VE TEKNOLOJİK ARAŞTIRMALAR UYGULAMA VE ARAŞTIRMA MERKEZİ
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Li M, Niu C, Chen Y. Diverse Response Pattern to Anoxia in Three Freshwater Turtle Species. BIOLOGY 2022; 12:biology12010050. [PMID: 36671743 PMCID: PMC9855657 DOI: 10.3390/biology12010050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
With increasing water eutrophication and global warming, anoxia and hypoxia are becoming more and more common in water environments. Most vertebrates have a limited tolerance to anoxia of only a few minutes, but some species, such as turtles, can survive for months being exposed to anoxia. Antioxidant defense systems may have a potential role in resisting anoxia stress in freshwater turtles. The three-keeled pond turtle Chinemys reevesii, the snapping turtle Chelydra serpentina and the soft-shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis are three popular aquaculture species and share similar habitats in China. While C. reevesii and C. serpentina are hard-shelled turtles with poor skin permeability, P. sinensis is soft-shelled turtle whose skin permeability is good. We examined the antioxidant defense responses in different tissues of the three turtle species under acute anoxia stress for 10 h and subsequently recovered for 24 h in order to reveal the response patterns of the antioxidant defense system of the three turtle species that differed in morphological structure and life history strategy. We found that the antioxidant response patterns to acute anoxia stress were tissue- and species-specific. The soft-shelled turtle was more sensitive to anoxia than the hard-shelled turtles. Under anoxia stress, the three species kept the activities of most antioxidant enzymes stable. C. reevesii and P. sinensis were highly dependent on vitamin C in antioxidant defense, while high activities of structural antioxidant enzymes were found in the tissues of C. serpentina. The above diverse patterns may be related with adaptive evolution of morphological structure and physiological functions of the three turtle species.
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Decker CE, Buchanan SW, Karraker NE. Post‐emergence movements and habitat use by hatchling diamondback terrapins. J Wildl Manage 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn E. Decker
- Department of Natural Resources Science University of Rhode Island Kingston RI 02881 USA
| | - Scott W. Buchanan
- Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Division of Fish and Wildlife West Kingston RI 02892 USA
| | - Nancy E. Karraker
- Department of Natural Resources Science University of Rhode Island Kingston RI 02881 USA
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Hibernation in Reeves’ Turtles (Mauremys reevesii) in Qichun County, Hubei Province, China: Hibernation Beginning and End and Habitat Selection. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12182411. [PMID: 36139271 PMCID: PMC9495146 DOI: 10.3390/ani12182411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This study investigated Reeves’ turtle (Mauremys reevesii) using radiotelemetry to determine the beginning and end dates of, and habitats selected for, hibernation, and to inform future conservation strategies for protection of this species during the hibernation season. Hibernation began in late October 2021 and arousal began in March 2022. Reeves’ turtles mainly hibernate in abandoned ponds or lands. The terrestrial hibernation sites had more herbage cover and were close to the field edge, and the aquatic hibernation sites were covered with herbage, which provides shelter and protection and thermal stability for the turtles during hibernation. We suggest vigilantly protecting this unique resource to provide Reeves’ turtles with secure hibernaculum sites and avoiding redevelopment of these areas during hibernation. Abstract Hibernation protects turtles from extreme winter conditions. Reeves’ turtle (Mauremys reevesii) is a medium-sized aquatic turtle that lives in freshwater habitats in lowland areas with still or slowly moving water. Currently, little is known regarding its overwintering behavior. In the current study, 20 Reeves’ turtles from the wild were investigated using radiotelemetry in the field to determine the beginning and end dates of, and habitat selected for, hibernation. Hibernation began in late October 2021 and arousal began in March 2022. Reeves’ turtles do not appear to be limited in their selection of suitable hibernation habitats, which included fish ponds, abandoned ponds (ponds not being used for farming), marshes, and abandoned fields (fields not being used for farming). In the aquatic hibernation habitats, only herbage cover was significantly different between the selected and random habitats (t = 2.525, df = 9, p = 0.033). In the terrestrial hibernation habitats, there were significant differences in the canopy (Z = −2.201, p = 0.028), slope gradient (Z = −2.032, p = 0.042), herbage cover (Z = −2.379, p = 0.017), and distance from the habitat edge (Z = −2.524, p = 0.012) between the selected and random habitats. This indicates that Reeves’ turtles prefer to hibernate at the soft edges of flat habitats with low canopy and high herbage cover when hibernating in terrestrial habitats and prefer to hibernate at sites with high herbage cover when hibernating in aquatic habitats. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate hibernation in wild Reeves’ turtles in the field, and the results identify key ecological variables correlated with habitat selection during hibernation. This knowledge could inform local conservation measures related to farming activities.
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Koch RW, Goeppner SR, Gustafson KD, Bolek MG. SEASONAL OCCURRENCE OF NEOECHINORHYNCHUS EMYDIS (PHYLUM: ACANTHOCEPHALA) IN THE FRESHWATER SNAIL, PLANORBELLA CF. P. TRIVOLVIS, FROM OKLAHOMA. J Parasitol 2022; 108:423-434. [PMID: 36197730 DOI: 10.1645/21-98] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The acanthocephalan Neoechinorhynchus emydis has a complex life cycle and infects turtle, ostracod, and snail hosts. However, little information is available on the seasonal distribution or the effects of N. emydis on freshwater snail hosts. To address this, we examined the seasonal distribution and melanization of acanthocephalans in Planorbella cf. Planorbella trivolvis snails from a single location in north-central Oklahoma. Seasonally, prevalence of N. emydis was 0% during the winter, increased to 50% during the summer, and declined to 17% in the fall. Mean abundance exhibited more variation but generally followed a similar pattern as prevalence. More important, all acanthocephalans located within the head/foot region of snail hosts contained melaninlike pigment surrounding each worm, suggesting that snails were mounting an immunological reaction to infections with N. emydis. Snail shell diameter was greatest during the fall and decreased during the winter, indicating that larger or older snails were dying during the winter. However, because field-collected snails were commonly infected with trematodes, and snail size varied significantly with season, it was unclear whether the observed seasonal dynamics of acanthocephalan infections were a result of snail mortality resulting from snail age, parasitic infections, or a combination of factors. To control for these factors, we exposed laboratory-reared Planorbella cf. P. trivolvis snails to naturally infected ostracods in field cages for 5-wk intervals during the winter, spring, and summer. Data from snail-cage infections were consistent with the seasonal field survey such that N. emydis infections were highest in the summer (20%) and lowest (0%) in the winter, suggesting that snails were not ingesting infected ostracods during the winter. However, fewer of our laboratory-reared snails survived in field cages during winter than during spring and summer, suggesting that snails may die more often during harsh winter conditions. Finally, we conducted a laboratory survival experiment by testing the life span and egg production of field-collected snails of various sizes that were naturally infected with acanthocephalans or trematodes or both. Our snail-survival experiment indicated that snail size but not infection status with acanthocephalans or trematodes affected snail survival, with larger snails surviving a shorter amount of time than smaller snails. In addition, snails infected with trematodes laid significantly fewer eggs compared with uninfected snails or snails infected with acanthocephalans. However, we found no significant difference in the number of eggs laid by acanthocephalan-infected and uninfected snails. Although other abiotic factors still need evaluation, we suggest that the occurrence of acanthocephalans in snails throughout the year may be partially influenced by the abundance of infected ostracods that snails may be ingesting and snail population fluctuations during the year.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan W Koch
- Department of Integrative Biology, 501 Life Sciences West, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078
| | - Scott R Goeppner
- Department of Integrative Biology, 501 Life Sciences West, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078
| | - Kyle D Gustafson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Laboratory Sciences Complex, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72467
| | - Matthew G Bolek
- Department of Integrative Biology, 501 Life Sciences West, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078
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Arfuso F, Cerutti RD, Scaglione MC, Sciabarrasi A, Giannetto C, Piccione G. Evaluation of locomotor activity in female Chelonoidis chilensis (Testudinidae, Gray 1870) in response to artificial photoperiod and temperature treatments. AMPHIBIA-REPTILIA 2022. [DOI: 10.1163/15685381-bja10096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Turtles as many other reptiles are capable of orientating their bodies toward the sun. This conduct requires the presence of an internal biological chronometer in the organism that regulates this behavior. Thus, a description of the internal clock in these reptiles is of interest. The assessment of locomotor activity can be considered a reliable indicator of biological clock function. This study aimed to investigate the effect of different artificial photoperiod and ambient temperature schedules on total locomotor activity of female Chelonoidis chilensis and its rhythmicity. Six C. chilensis specimens were exposed to different artificial photoperiods and temperature regimes each fixed for seven days. It was observed that the activity period during the different experimental schedules was close to the 24 hours indicating a daily rhythmicity. Moreover, all tortoises showed a similar total locomotor activity pattern displaying the most of motion during light phase. Under the condition of constant light tortoises exhibited a self-sustaining rhythm not entrained to light and temperature zeitgebers, thus, suggesting its possible endogenous periodicity. Though this study deepens the knowledge on the rhythmic system of C. chilensis, further investigations are needed to achieve a more detailed understanding of tortoise biological clock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Arfuso
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo University Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Raúl D. Cerutti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Maria C. Scaglione
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Antonio Sciabarrasi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Claudia Giannetto
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo University Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Piccione
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo University Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
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Ekpo MD, Boafo GF, Gambo SS, Hu Y, Liu X, Xie J, Tan S. Cryopreservation of Animals and Cryonics: Current Technical Progress, Difficulties and Possible Research Directions. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:877163. [PMID: 35754544 PMCID: PMC9219731 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.877163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The basis of cryonics or medical cryopreservation is to safely store a legally dead subject until a time in the future when technology and medicine will permit reanimation after eliminating the disease or cause of death. Death has been debunked as an event occurring after cardiac arrest to a process where interjecting its progression can allow for reversal when feasible. Cryonics technology artificially halts further damages and injury by restoring respiration and blood circulation, and rapidly reducing temperature. The body can then be preserved at this extremely low temperature until the need for reanimation. Presently, the area has attracted numerous scientific contributions and advancement but the practice is still flooded with challenges. This paper presents the current progression in cryonics research. We also discuss obstacles to success in the field, and identify the possible solutions and future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Davis Ekpo
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - George Frimpong Boafo
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Suleiman Shafiu Gambo
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yuying Hu
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiangjian Liu
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jingxian Xie
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Songwen Tan
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Garner M, Barber RG, Cussins J, Hall D, Reisinger J, Stecyk JA. Does the ventricle limit cardiac contraction rate in the anoxic turtle (Trachemys scripta)? II. In vivo and in vitro assessment of the prevalence of cardiac arrhythmia and atrioventricular block. Curr Res Physiol 2022; 5:292-301. [PMID: 35856059 PMCID: PMC9287599 DOI: 10.1016/j.crphys.2022.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have reported evidence of atrio-ventricular (AV) block in the oxygen-limited Trachemys scripta heart. However, if cardiac arrhythmia occurs in live turtles during prolonged anoxia exposure remains unknown. Here, we compare the effects of prolonged anoxic submergence and subsequent reoxygenation on cardiac electrical activity through in vivo electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings of 21 °C- and 5 °C-acclimated turtles to assess the prevalence of cardiac arrhythmia. Additionally, to elucidate the influence of extracellular conditions on the prominence of cardiac arrhythmia, we exposed spontaneously contracting T. scripta right atrium and electrically coupled ventricle strip preparations to extracellular conditions that sequentially and additively approximated the shift from the normoxic to anoxic extracellular condition of warm- and cold-acclimated turtles. Cardiac arrhythmia was prominent in 21 °C anoxic turtles. Arrhythmia was qualitatively evidenced by groupings of contractions in pairs and trios and quantified by an increased coefficient of variation of the RR interval. Similarly, exposure to combined anoxia, acidosis, and hyperkalemia induced arrhythmia in vitro that was not counteracted by hypercalcemia or combined hypercalcemia and heightened adrenergic stimulation. By comparison, cold acclimation primed the turtle heart to be resilient to cardiac arrhythmia. Although cardiac irregularities were present intermittently, no change in the variation of the RR interval occurred in vivo with prolonged anoxia exposure at 5 °C. Moreover, the in vitro studies at 5 °C highlighted the importance of adrenergic stimulation in counteracting AV block. Finally, at both acclimation temperatures, cardiac arrhythmia and irregularities ceased upon reoxygenation, indicating that the T. scripta heart recovers from anoxia-induced disruptions to cardiac excitation. Cardiac arrhythmia was prominent in 21 °C anoxic turtles. Cold acclimation primes the turtle heart to be resilient to the cardiac arrhythmia induced by prolonged anoxic submergence. Adrenergic stimulation counteracts atrioventricular block at 5 °C. The turtle heart recovers from anoxia-induced disruptions to cardiac electrical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Jonathan A.W. Stecyk
- Corresponding author. Stecyk Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage, 3211 Providence Drive, Anchorage, AK, 99508, USA.
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Garner M, Stecyk JA. Does the ventricle limit cardiac contraction rate in the anoxic turtle (Trachemys scripta)? I. Comparison of the intrinsic contractile responses of cardiac chambers to the extracellular changes that accompany prolonged anoxia exposure. Curr Res Physiol 2022; 5:312-326. [PMID: 35872835 PMCID: PMC9301509 DOI: 10.1016/j.crphys.2022.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple lines of evidence suggest that an inability of the ventricle to contract in coordination with the pacemaker during anoxia exposure may suppress cardiac pumping rate in anoxia-tolerant turtles. To determine under what extracellular conditions the ventricle could be the weak link that limits cardiac pumping, we compared, under various extracellular conditions, the intrinsic contractile properties of isometrically-contracting ventricular and atrial strips obtained from 21 °C- to 5 °C- acclimated turtles (Trachemys scripta) that had been exposed to either normoxia or anoxia (16 h at 21 °C; 12 days at 5 °C). We found that combined extracellular anoxia, acidosis, and hyperkalemia (AAK), severely disrupted ventricular, but not right or left atrial, excitability and contractibility of 5 °C anoxic turtles. However, combined hypercalcemia and heightened adrenergic stimulation counteracted the negative effects of AAK. We also report that the turtle heart is resilient to prolonged diastolic intervals, which would ensure that contractile force is maintained if arrhythmia were to occur during anoxia exposure. Finally, our findings reinforce that prior temperature and anoxia experiences are central to the intrinsic contractile response of the turtle myocardium to altered extracellular conditions. At 21 °C, prior anoxia exposure preconditioned the ventricle for anoxic and acidosis exposure. At 5 °C, prior anoxia exposure evoked heightened sensitivity of the ventricle to hyperkalemia, as well as all chambers to combined hypercalcemia and increased adrenergic stimulation. Overall, our findings show that the ventricle could limit cardiac pumping rate during prolonged anoxic submergence in cold-acclimated turtles if hypercalcemia and heightened adrenergic stimulation are insufficient to counteract the negative effects of combined extracellular anoxia, acidosis, and hyperkalemia. Turtle atria are more resilient to extracellular factors that disrupt contraction than the ventricle. Combined anoxia, acidosis, and hyperkalemia disrupted ventricular excitability and contractibility of 5 °C anoxic turtles. Heightened adrenergic stimulation counteracted the negative effects. The ventricle could limit cardiac pumping during anoxia at 5 °C if adrenergic stimulation is low.
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Topping NE, Valenzuela N. Turtle Nest-Site Choice, Anthropogenic Challenges, and Evolutionary Potential for Adaptation. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.808621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Oviparous animals, such as turtles, lay eggs whose success or demise depends on environmental conditions that influence offspring phenotype (morphology, physiology, and in many reptiles, also sex determination), growth, and survival, while in the nest and post-hatching. Consequently, because turtles display little parental care, maternal provisioning of the eggs and female nesting behavior are under strong selection. But the consequences of when and where nests are laid are affected by anthropogenic habitat disturbances that alter suitable nesting areas, expose eggs to contaminants in the wild, and modify the thermal and hydric environment experienced by developing embryos, thus impacting hatchling survival and the sexual fate of taxa with temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) and genotypic sex determination (GSD). Indeed, global and local environmental change influences air, water, and soil temperature and moisture, which impact basking behavior, egg development, and conditions within the nest, potentially rendering current nesting strategies maladaptive as offspring mortality increases and TSD sex ratios become drastically skewed. Endocrine disruptors can sex reverse TSD and GSD embryos alike. Adapting to these challenges depends on genetic variation, and little to no heritability has been detected for nest-site behavior. However, modest heritability in threshold temperature (above and below which females or males develop in TSD taxa, respectively) exists in the wild, as well as interpopulation differences in the reaction norm of sex ratio to temperature, and potentially also in the expression of gene regulators of sexual development. If this variation reflects additive genetic components, some adaptation might be expected, provided that the pace of environmental change does not exceed the rate of evolution. Research remains urgently needed to fill current gaps in our understanding of the ecology and evolution of nest-site choice and its adaptive potential, integrating across multiple levels of organization.
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Galli GLJ, Ruhr IM, Crossley J, Crossley DA. The Long-Term Effects of Developmental Hypoxia on Cardiac Mitochondrial Function in Snapping Turtles. Front Physiol 2021; 12:689684. [PMID: 34262478 PMCID: PMC8273549 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.689684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
It is well established that adult vertebrates acclimatizing to hypoxic environments undergo mitochondrial remodeling to enhance oxygen delivery, maintain ATP, and limit oxidative stress. However, many vertebrates also encounter oxygen deprivation during embryonic development. The effects of developmental hypoxia on mitochondrial function are likely to be more profound, because environmental stress during early life can permanently alter cellular physiology and morphology. To this end, we investigated the long-term effects of developmental hypoxia on mitochondrial function in a species that regularly encounters hypoxia during development-the common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina). Turtle eggs were incubated in 21% or 10% oxygen from 20% of embryonic development until hatching, and both cohorts were subsequently reared in 21% oxygen for 8 months. Ventricular mitochondria were isolated, and mitochondrial respiration and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were measured with a microrespirometer. Compared to normoxic controls, juvenile turtles from hypoxic incubations had lower Leak respiration, higher P:O ratios, and reduced rates of ROS production. Interestingly, these same attributes occur in adult vertebrates that acclimatize to hypoxia. We speculate that these adjustments might improve mitochondrial hypoxia tolerance, which would be beneficial for turtles during breath-hold diving and overwintering in anoxic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina L. J. Galli
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Ilan M. Ruhr
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Janna Crossley
- Developmental Integrative Biology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States
| | - Dane A. Crossley
- Developmental Integrative Biology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States
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15
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Gasbarrini D, Lesbarrères D, Sheppard A, Litzgus J. An enigmatic mass mortality event of Blanding’s Turtles ( Emydoidea blandingii) in a protected area. CAN J ZOOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2020-0204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Mass mortality events (MMEs) can remove up to 90% of individuals in a population and are especially damaging to population viability of long-lived species with slow life histories. Our goal was to elucidate the cause(s) of a MME of 53 Blanding’s Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii (Holbrook, 1838)), a globally endangered species, in a protected area. We investigated disease, winter-kill, and depredation as potential causes of the mortality. The turtle carcasses lacked soft tissue to test for disease, so we examined tissue from co-occurring live Leopard Frogs (Lithobates pipiens (Schreber, 1782)) and found no evidence of ranavirus, indicating that the disease was not present at our study site. Water temperature and dissolved aquatic oxygen at known overwintering sites and sites which yielded carcasses did not differ, suggesting that winter-kill did not cause the MME. Carcass condition, comparisons with descriptions of turtle depredation events in the literature, and trail cameras paired with turtle decoys identified potential predators within the study site and suggested that mass depredation, enabled by low water levels and a concomitant reduction in aquatic habitat, was the most likely cause of mortality. Our study can inform conservation of the study population and the management of MMEs of long-lived species elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- D.M.L. Gasbarrini
- Department of Biology, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - D. Lesbarrères
- Department of Biology, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
| | - A. Sheppard
- Ontario Parks, Northeast Zone, Suite 404, 199 Larch Street, Sudbury, ON P3E 5P9, Canada
| | - J.D. Litzgus
- Department of Biology, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6, Canada
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16
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Tang ZH, Chen BJ, Niu CJ. Antioxidant defense response during hibernation and arousal in Chinese soft-shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis juveniles. Cryobiology 2021; 99:46-54. [PMID: 33524338 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2021.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Antioxidant defense is essential for animals to cope with homeostasis disruption during hibernation. The present study aimed to investigate the antioxidant defense response of juvenile soft-shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis during hibernation and following arousal. Turtle brain, liver, and kidney samples were collected at pre-hibernation (17 °C mud temperature; MT), during hibernation (5.8 °C MT) and after arousal (20.1 °C MT) in the field. Transcript levels of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) decreased significantly during hibernation and recovered after arousal in all tissues. Cerebral and nephric copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPx3) and nephric GPx4 mRNA showed similar changing patterns as Nrf2. Cerebral Mn SOD, GPx1 and nephric GPx1 up-regulated after arousal. Hepatic Cu/Zn SOD, GPx1 and GPx3 mRNA kept stable, except hepatic GPx4 increased during hibernation. Hepatic Mn SOD and CAT increased after arousal. In the GSH system, mRNA levels of glutathione synthetases (GSs) kept stable during hibernation and up-regulated after arousal in most tissues except nephric GS2 mRNA remained unchanged. Gene expressions of glutathione reductase (GR) exhibited a tissue specific changing pattern, while those of glutathione-S-Transferase (GST) shared a similar pattern among tissues: remained stable or down-regulated during hibernation then recovered in arousal. In contrast to these diverse responses in gene expressions, most of the antioxidant enzyme activities maintained high and stable. Overall, no preparation for oxidative stress (POS) strategy was found in enzymatic antioxidant system in P. sinensis juveniles during hibernation, the Chinese soft-shelled turtles were able to stay safe from potential oxidative stress during hibernation by maintaining high level activities/concentrations of the antioxidant enzymes/antioxidants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong-Hua Tang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Bo-Jian Chen
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China; College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200082, China
| | - Cui-Juan Niu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
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17
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Mothes CC, Howell HJ, Searcy CA. Habitat suitability models for the imperiled wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) raise concerns for the species’ persistence under future climate change. Glob Ecol Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
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18
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Hatchling turtles ingest natural and artificial incubation substrates at high frequency. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-020-02913-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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19
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TEMPORAL PATTERNS IN ADMISSION OF EASTERN BOX TURTLES ( TERRAPENE CAROLINA CAROLINA) AT A NORTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE CLINIC AS A REFLECTION OF CLIMATE. J Zoo Wildl Med 2020; 51:363-370. [PMID: 32549566 DOI: 10.1638/2019-0136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Significant impacts of global climate change on wildlife have been documented and are projected to continue. Reptiles have been suggested as being especially susceptible to these effects along with other anthropogenic impacts on their environment. A retrospective review of medical records for 2,356 wild eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) admitted to the Turtle Rescue Team (TRT) at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine between 1996 and 2017 was performed in order to: 1) report common presenting complaints, 2) describe the timeline of when box turtles were admitted to the TRT for each year of the study, and 3) investigate temporal shifts in turtle admissions and associations with changes in environmental temperature over a 22-yr period. The most common presenting complaint was vehicular trauma (n = 1,195) with over 70% of the caseload associated with anthropogenic impacts. Average monthly temperatures from 1996 to 2017 for Raleigh, North Carolina, USA, were extracted from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration climate database. By comparing the pre- and post-2006 years using the Mann-Whitney test, we found that both the annual peak temperature and the annual timing of admission to the TRT have shifted significantly or with a strong tendency towards significance (P = 0.0008 and 0.052, respectively). Annual peak temperature has increased by 1.3°C, and timing of admission has shifted 18 days earlier between pre- and post-2006 years. This supports the hypothesis that box turtle activity patterns are shifting and that these changes are potentially related to climate.
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20
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Markle CE, Moore PA, Waddington JM. Primary Drivers of Reptile Overwintering Habitat Suitability: Integrating Wetland Ecohydrology and Spatial Complexity. Bioscience 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biaa059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Identifying ecosystems resilient to climate and land-use changes is recognized as essential for conservation strategies. However, wetland ecosystems may respond differently to stressors depending on their successional state and the strength of ecohydrological feedbacks resulting in fluctuations in habitat availability and suitability. Long-term habitat suitability is necessary for the persistence of wetland-dependent species and a key characteristic of climatic refugia. In the present article, we review and synthesize biogeochemical, thermal, ecological, and hydrological feedbacks and interactions that operate within wetlands and, consequently, regulate overwintering suitability for many freshwater turtles and snakes. We propose that understanding the breadth and interconnected nature of processes controlling temperature, dissolved oxygen, and water table position are vital for the conservation of northern reptile populations that depend on wetlands to survive winter conditions. Finally, we suggest that our integrated framework can guide future research and the management of wetland ecosystems in an era of unprecedented change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantel E Markle
- School of Geography and Earth Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paul A Moore
- School of Geography and Earth Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - James M Waddington
- School of Geography and Earth Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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21
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Bundgaard A, James AM, Harbour ME, Murphy MP, Fago A. Stable mitochondrial CICIII 2 supercomplex interactions in reptiles versus homeothermic vertebrates. J Exp Biol 2020; 223:jeb223776. [PMID: 32393546 PMCID: PMC7328143 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.223776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The association of complex I (CI), complex III (CIII) and complex IV (CIV) of the mitochondrial electron transport chain into stable high molecular weight supercomplexes (SCs) has been observed in several prokaryotes and eukaryotes, but among vertebrates it has only been examined in mammals. The biological role of these SCs is unclear but suggestions so far include enhanced electron transfer between complexes, decreased production of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) O2- and H2O2, or enhanced structural stability. Here, we provide the first overview on the stability, composition and activity of mitochondrial SCs in representative species of several vertebrate classes to determine patterns of SC variation across endotherms and ectotherms. We found that the stability of the CICIII2 SC and the inclusion of CIV within the SC varied considerably. Specifically, when solubilized by the detergent DDM, mitochondrial CICIII2 SCs were unstable in endotherms (birds and mammals) and highly stable in reptiles. Using mass-spectrometric complexomics, we confirmed that the CICIII2 is the major SC in the turtle, and that 90% of CI is found in this highly stable SC. Interestingly, the presence of stable SCs did not prevent mitochondrial H2O2 production and was not associated with elevated respiration rates of mitochondria isolated from the examined species. Together, these data show that SC stability varies among vertebrates and is greatest in poikilothermic reptiles and weakest in endotherms. This pattern suggests an adaptive role of SCs to varying body temperature, but not necessarily a direct effect on electron transfer or in the prevention of ROS production.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrew M James
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Michael E Harbour
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Michael P Murphy
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Angela Fago
- Department of Biology, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
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22
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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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23
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Bundgaard A, Ruhr IM, Fago A, Galli GL. Metabolic adaptations to anoxia and reoxygenation: New lessons from freshwater turtles and crucian carp. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coemr.2020.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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24
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MORTALITY INVESTIGATION OF MONITORED EASTERN BOX TURTLES (TERRAPENE CAROLINA CAROLINA) IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS, USA, FROM 2016–18. J Wildl Dis 2020. [DOI: 10.7589/2019-01-016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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25
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Castellón TD, Anderson CD, Rothermel BB, Beck JL. Differential Effects of Elevation and Microtopography on Gopher Tortoise Burrow Distributions in Southern Florida. COPEIA 2020. [DOI: 10.1643/ch-19-228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Traci D. Castellón
- Restoration Ecology and Herpetology Program, Archbold Biological Station, 123 Main Drive, Venus, Florida 33960; (BBR) ; and (JLB)
| | - Corey D. Anderson
- Department of Biology, Valdosta State University, 1500 N Patterson Street, Valdosta, Georgia 31698;
| | - Betsie B. Rothermel
- Restoration Ecology and Herpetology Program, Archbold Biological Station, 123 Main Drive, Venus, Florida 33960; (BBR) ; and (JLB)
| | - Jennifer L. Beck
- Restoration Ecology and Herpetology Program, Archbold Biological Station, 123 Main Drive, Venus, Florida 33960; (BBR) ; and (JLB)
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26
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Pan T, Wang H, Duan S, Ali I, Yan P, Cai R, Wang M, Zhang J, Zhang H, Zhang B, Wu X. Historical population decline and habitat loss in a critically endangered species, the Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis). Glob Ecol Conserv 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
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27
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Zhang Y, Song T, Jin Q, Huang Y, Tang X, Sun X, Liu F, Zhang Z, Bao W. Status of an alien turtle in city park waters and its potential threats to local biodiversity: the red-eared slider in Beijing. Urban Ecosyst 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-019-00897-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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28
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Jensen B, Pardue S, Kevil CG, Fago A. Tissue-dependent variation of hydrogen sulfide homeostasis in anoxic freshwater turtles. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 222:jeb.203976. [PMID: 31109970 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.203976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) controls numerous physiological responses. To understand its proposed role in metabolic suppression, we measured free H2S and bound sulfane sulfur (BSS) in tissues of the freshwater turtle Trachemys scripta elegans, a species undergoing strong metabolic suppression when cold and anoxic. In warm normoxic turtles, free H2S was higher in red blood cells (RBCs) and kidney (∼9-10 µmol l-1) than in brain, liver and lung (∼1-2 µmol l-1). These values overall aligned with the tissue H2S-generating enzymatic activity. BSS levels were similar in all tissues (∼0.5 µmol l-1) but ∼100-fold higher in RBCs, which have a high thiol content, suggesting that RBCs function as a circulating H2S reservoir. Cold acclimation caused significant changes in free and bound H2S in liver, brain and RBCs, but anoxia had no further effect, except in the brain. These results show tissue-dependent sulfide signaling with a potential role in brain metabolic suppression during anoxia in turtles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgitte Jensen
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.,Department of Pathology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71130, USA
| | - Sibile Pardue
- Department of Pathology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71130, USA
| | - Christopher G Kevil
- Department of Pathology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71130, USA
| | - Angela Fago
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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29
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Roth TC, Krochmal AR, LaDage LD. Reptilian Cognition: A More Complex Picture via Integration of Neurological Mechanisms, Behavioral Constraints, and Evolutionary Context. Bioessays 2019; 41:e1900033. [PMID: 31210380 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201900033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Unlike birds and mammals, reptiles are commonly thought to possess only the most rudimentary means of interacting with their environments, reflexively responding to sensory information to the near exclusion of higher cognitive function. However, reptilian brains, though structurally somewhat different from those of mammals and birds, use many of the same cellular and molecular processes to support complex behaviors in homologous brain regions. Here, the neurological mechanisms supporting reptilian cognition are reviewed, focusing specifically on spatial cognition and the hippocampus. These processes are compared to those seen in mammals and birds within an ecologically and evolutionarily relevant context. By viewing reptilian cognition through an integrative framework, a more robust understanding of reptile cognition is gleaned. Doing so yields a broader view of the evolutionarily conserved molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie cognitive function and a better understanding of the factors that led to the evolution of complex cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy C Roth
- Department of Psychology, Franklin and Marshall College, P.O. Box 3003, Lancaster, PA, 17603, USA
| | - Aaron R Krochmal
- Department of Biology, Washington College, 300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, MD, 21620, USA
| | - Lara D LaDage
- Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Penn State University Altoona, Altoona, PA, 16601, USA
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30
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Bundgaard A, Qvortrup K, Rasmussen LJ, Fago A. Turtles maintain mitochondrial integrity but reduce mitochondrial respiratory capacity in the heart after cold acclimation and anoxia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 222:jeb.200410. [PMID: 31097599 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.200410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria are important to cellular homeostasis, but can become a dangerous liability when cells recover from hypoxia. Anoxia-tolerant freshwater turtles show reduced mitochondrial respiratory capacity and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) after prolonged anoxia, but the mechanisms are unclear. Here, we investigated whether this mitochondrial suppression originates from downregulation of mitochondrial content or intrinsic activity by comparing heart mitochondria from (1) warm (25°C) normoxic, (2) cold-acclimated (4°C) normoxic and (3) cold-acclimated anoxic turtles. Transmission electron microscopy of heart ventricle revealed that these treatments did not affect mitochondrial volume density and morphology. Furthermore, neither enzyme activity, protein content nor supercomplex distribution of electron transport chain (ETC) enzymes changed significantly. Instead, our data imply that turtles inhibit mitochondrial respiration rate and ROS production by a cumulative effect of slight inhibition of ETC complexes. Together, these results show that maintaining mitochondrial integrity while inhibiting overall enzyme activities are important aspects of anoxia tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Bundgaard
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Klaus Qvortrup
- Department of Biomedical Sciences/CFIM, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lene Juel Rasmussen
- Center for Healthy Aging, Department of Cellular and Molecular medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Angela Fago
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
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31
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Piczak ML, Chow-Fraser P. Assessment of critical habitat for common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) in an urbanized coastal wetland. Urban Ecosyst 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-019-00841-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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32
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The expression of genes involved in excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission in turtle (Trachemys scripta) brain during anoxic submergence at 21 °C and 5 °C reveals the importance of cold as a preparatory cue for anoxia survival. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2019; 30:55-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2018.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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33
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Bundgaard A, James AM, Gruszczyk AV, Martin J, Murphy MP, Fago A. Metabolic adaptations during extreme anoxia in the turtle heart and their implications for ischemia-reperfusion injury. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2850. [PMID: 30808950 PMCID: PMC6391391 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39836-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
ATP depletion and succinate accumulation during ischemia lead to oxidative damage to mammalian organs upon reperfusion. In contrast, freshwater turtles survive weeks of anoxia at low temperatures without suffering from oxidative damage upon reoxygenation, but the mechanisms are unclear. To determine how turtles survive prolonged anoxia, we measured ~80 metabolites in hearts from cold-acclimated (5 °C) turtles exposed to 9 days anoxia and compared the results with those for normoxic turtles (25 °C) and mouse hearts exposed to 30 min of ischemia. In turtles, ATP and ADP decreased to new steady-state levels during fasting and cold-acclimation and further with anoxia, but disappeared within 30 min of ischemia in mouse hearts. High NADH/NAD+ ratios were associated with succinate accumulation in both anoxic turtles and ischemic mouse hearts. However, succinate concentrations and succinate/fumarate ratios were lower in turtle than in mouse heart, limiting the driving force for production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon reoxygenation in turtles. Furthermore, we show production of ROS from succinate is prevented by re-synthesis of ATP from ADP. Thus, maintenance of an ATP/ADP pool and low succinate accumulation likely protects turtle hearts from anoxia/reoxygenation injury and suggests metabolic interventions as a therapeutic approach to limit ischemia/reperfusion injury in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Bundgaard
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andrew M James
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Anja V Gruszczyk
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jack Martin
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Michael P Murphy
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Angela Fago
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
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34
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Aerobic Pushups: Cutaneous Ventilation in Overwintering Smooth Softshell Turtles, Apalone mutica. J HERPETOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1670/18-038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Aparicio Á, Mercado IE, Ugalde AM, Gaona-Murillo E, Butterfield T, Macip-Ríos R. Ecological Observations of the Mexican Mud Turtle (Kinosternon integrum) in the Pátzcuaro Basin, Michoacán, México. CHELONIAN CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.2744/ccb-1305.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ángeles Aparicio
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Blvd. Valsequillo y Av
| | - Ivette Enríquez Mercado
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Blvd. Valsequillo y Av
| | - Alejandro Montiel Ugalde
- Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores Unidad Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ant
| | - Eder Gaona-Murillo
- Facultad de Biología, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Gral. Francisco J. M´ ugica,
| | - Taggert Butterfield
- Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores Unidad Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ant
| | - Rodrigo Macip-Ríos
- Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores Unidad Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ant
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Savo APH, Zheng Y, Zheng Y, Lewbart GA. Health status assessment of traumatic injury freshwater turtles. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0202194. [PMID: 30153271 PMCID: PMC6112633 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A group of injured yellow-bellied sliders (Trachemys scripta) and river cooters (Pseudemys concinna) were evaluated for a variety of health values at presentation to the NC State Turtle Rescue Team and prior to release. An i-STAT Portable Clinical Analyzer and CG8+ cartridges were used to determine venous blood gas and biochemical values, the packed cell volume (PCV) and total protein were evaluated using hematocrit tubes and high speed centrifugation, and a differential WBC percentage was determined manually with Diff-Quick stained blood smear slides. Forty-six turtles were sampled on presentation and twenty-three of those were sampled again prior to release. Blood values were analyzed for significant differences between samples collected at presentation and prior to release, as well as differences between surviving and non-surviving turtles. Five variables were identified as significantly different between presenting and recuperated samples: pH, pCO2, Glu, % heterophils, and % eosinophils. When comparing samples between turtles that survived versus those that did not, two variables were identified as being significant prognostic indicators; lactate and PCV. Identification of these significant variables can aid in determining patient prognosis and triage therapy for injured aquatic turtles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison P. H. Savo
- North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Yaxin Zheng
- North Carolina State University, Department of Statistics, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Yuting Zheng
- North Carolina State University, Department of Statistics, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Gregory A. Lewbart
- North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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37
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Figueras M, Bastarache B, Burke R. Water exchange relationships predict overwintering behavior in hatchling turtles. CAN J ZOOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2017-0132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Neonatal ectotherms face a wide range of environmental hazards because of the diverse habitats that they inhabit and their small body sizes; this is especially true among turtles that live in temperate zones and experience cold winter conditions after hatching. Such hatchlings must balance challenges involving desiccation, freezing, and predation, among other threats. Turtle hatchlings either overwinter in water, terrestrially in relatively shallow nests, terrestrially deep below nests, or terrestrially outside of the nest entirely, and these different microhabitats are associated with different desiccation and freezing risks. We measured desiccation tolerance of individuals of six turtle species, including two (Diamondback Terrapins, Malaclemys terrapin (Schoepff, 1793), and Eastern Box Turtles, Terrapene carolina (Linnaeus, 1758)) that use a strategy that has not previously been explored, along with Wood Turtles (Glyptemys insculpta (Le Conte, 1830)), whose overwintering microhabitat is uncertain. We found additional support for the hypothesis that desiccation resistance is associated with overwintering strategies in hatchling turtles. Further investigation into the overwintering strategies of M. terrapin and T. carolina would be productive.
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Affiliation(s)
- M.P. Figueras
- Department of Biology, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA
| | - B.A. Bastarache
- Bristol County Agricultural High School, Dighton, MA 02715, USA
| | - R.L. Burke
- Department of Biology, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA
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38
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Horn RB, Gervais JA. Landscape influence on the local distribution of western pond turtles. Ecosphere 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Robert B. Horn
- Bureau of Land Management; 777 NW Garden Valley Boulevard Roseburg Oregon USA
| | - Jennifer A. Gervais
- Oregon Wildlife Institute; PO Box 1061 Corvallis Oregon 97339 USA
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife; 104 Nash Hall; Oregon State University; Corvallis Oregon 97331 USA
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39
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Lamont MM, Seay DR, Gault K. Overwintering behavior of juvenile sea turtles at a temperate foraging ground. Ecology 2018; 99:2621-2624. [PMID: 29949653 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2018] [Revised: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Margaret M Lamont
- Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Gainesville, Florida, 32653, USA
| | - David R Seay
- Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, CNT, Contracted to U.S. Geological Survey, Gainesville, Florida, 32653, USA
| | - Kathleen Gault
- Natural Resources, Eglin Air Force Base, Niceville, Florida, 32578, USA
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40
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Tornabene BJ, Bramblett RG, Zale AV, Leathe SA. Factors Affecting Nesting Ecology ofApalone spiniferain a Northwestern Great Plains River of the United States. CHELONIAN CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.2744/ccb-1298.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Brian J. Tornabene
- Montana Cooperative Fishery Research Unit and Department of Ecology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717 USA []
| | - Robert G. Bramblett
- Montana Cooperative Fishery Research Unit and Department of Ecology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717 USA []
| | - Alexander V. Zale
- US Geological Survey, Montana Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717 USA []
| | - Stephen A. Leathe
- NorthWestern Energy, 336 Rainbow Dam Road, Great Falls, Montana 59404 USA []
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41
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DeNardo DF, Moeller KT, Seward M, Repp R. Evidence for atypical nest overwintering by hatchling lizards, Heloderma suspectum. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 285:rspb.2018.0632. [PMID: 29794051 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.0632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The timing of reproductive events (e.g. oviposition and hatching) to coincide with favourable seasonal conditions is critical for successful reproduction. However, developmental time may not match the duration between the optimal time for oviposition and the optimal time for hatchling survival. Thus, strategies that alter the time between oviposition and hatchling emergence can be highly advantageous. Arrested development and the resulting extension of the duration between oviposition and hatching has been widely documented across oviparous amniotes, but nest overwintering by hatchlings has only been documented in aquatic chelonians that live where winters are quite cold. Herein, we present a compilation of evidence regarding reproductive phenology by hatchlings of the Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum), a lizard inhabiting the Sonoran Desert of North America. Our data demonstrate that (i) Gila monster hatchlings from eggs oviposited in July do not emerge from their nests until late spring or summer of the following year, yet (ii) Gila monster eggs artificially incubated at field-relevant temperatures hatch in 4-5 months. Furthermore, we describe a fortuitous excavation of a hatching Gila monster nest in late October, which coincides with the artificial incubation results. Together, these results provide strong support for the existence of overwintering in the nest by a lizard, and suggest that this reproductive strategy should be explored in a broader array of taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dale F DeNardo
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Karla T Moeller
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | | | - Roger Repp
- National Optical Astronomy Observatory, Tucson, AZ, USA
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42
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Santilli J, Rollinson N. Toward a general explanation for latitudinal clines in body size among chelonians. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/bly054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Santilli
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Njal Rollinson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- School of the Environment, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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DETECTION OF COPATHOGENS IN FREE-RANGING EASTERN BOX TURTLES (TERRAPENE CAROLINA CAROLINA) IN ILLINOIS AND TENNESSEE. J Zoo Wildl Med 2017; 48:1127-1134. [DOI: 10.1638/2017-0148r.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Ennen JR, Matamoros WA, Agha M, Lovich JE, Sweat SC, Hoagstrom CW. Hierarchical, Quantitative Biogeographic Provinces for All North American Turtles and Their Contribution to the Biogeography of Turtles and the Continent. HERPETOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS 2017. [DOI: 10.1655/herpmonographs-d-16-00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua R. Ennen
- Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute, Tennessee Aquarium, 175 Baylor School Road, Chattanooga, TN 37405, USA
| | - Wilfredo A. Matamoros
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas, Museo de Zoología, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, México Apartado Postal 29000, México
| | - Mickey Agha
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Jeffrey E. Lovich
- U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, 2255 North Gemini Drive, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA
| | - Sarah C. Sweat
- Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute, Tennessee Aquarium, 175 Baylor School Road, Chattanooga, TN 37405, USA
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Rowe JW, Nawrot ML, Clark DL. Thermoregulation in a North Temperate Population of Midland Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta marginata): Temporal Patterns and Intersexual Differences. COPEIA 2017. [DOI: 10.1643/cp-16-507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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46
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Henriquez MC, Macey SK, Baker EE, Kelly LB, Betts RL, Rubbo MJ, Clark JA. Translocated and Resident Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene c. carolina) in New York: Movement Patterns and Habitat Use. Northeast Nat (Steuben) 2017. [DOI: 10.1656/045.024.0303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Megan C. Henriquez
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, NY 10458
- Current address - Department of Anthropology, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY 10016
| | - Suzanne K. Macey
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, NY 10458
- Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY 10024
| | - Erin E. Baker
- Teatown Lake Reservation, Ossining, NY 10562
- Ramapo Ridge Middle School, Mahwah, NJ 07430
| | | | - Rachel L. Betts
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, NY 10458
- Centre College, Danville, KY 40422
| | - Michael J. Rubbo
- Teatown Lake Reservation, Ossining, NY 10562
- Woodcock Nature Center, Wilton, CT 06897
| | - J. Alan Clark
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, NY 10458
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Abstract
Freeze tolerance is an amazing winter survival strategy used by various amphibians and reptiles living in seasonally cold environments. These animals may spend weeks or months with up to ∼65% of their total body water frozen as extracellular ice and no physiological vital signs, and yet after thawing they return to normal life within a few hours. Two main principles of animal freeze tolerance have received much attention: the production of high concentrations of organic osmolytes (glucose, glycerol, urea among amphibians) that protect the intracellular environment, and the control of ice within the body (the first putative ice-binding protein in a frog was recently identified), but many other strategies of biochemical adaptation also contribute to freezing survival. Discussed herein are recent advances in our understanding of amphibian and reptile freeze tolerance with a focus on cell preservation strategies (chaperones, antioxidants, damage defense mechanisms), membrane transporters for water and cryoprotectants, energy metabolism, gene/protein adaptations, and the regulatory control of freeze-responsive hypometabolism at multiple levels (epigenetic regulation of DNA, microRNA action, cell signaling and transcription factor regulation, cell cycle control, and anti-apoptosis). All are providing a much more complete picture of life in the frozen state.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Janet M. Storey
- Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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48
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DeGregorio BA, Tuberville TD, Kennamer RA, Harris BB, Brisbin IL. Spring emergence of Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina): influences of individual variation and scale of temperature correlates. CAN J ZOOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2016-0149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Many organisms spend considerable time in dormancy to avoid stressful environmental conditions. Understanding the timing and triggers of dormancy behavior is critical for understanding an animal’s life history and behavior. Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina (L., 1758)) avoid winter temperatures by burrowing into the soil and remaining dormant. Identifying the proximate environmental cues that trigger emergence can improve conservation efforts by reducing potential aboveground turtle mortality. During a 17-year study, half of all variation in emergence timing was attributed to individual variation and the habitat that they occupied during dormancy. We suggest that individual variation in emergence timing is common within populations and confounds efforts to identify reliable emergence cues. Additionally, the scale of meteorological data limits the ability to identify emergence predictors. Using data from temperature loggers placed at dormancy locations, we found that surface air temperatures, averaged over the 5 days prior to emergence, were more strongly related to emergence probability than any variables derived from local weather stations. Turtles generally did not emerge from dormancy until the 5-day mean surface temperatures measured at dormancy sites reached approximately 15 °C. Our results suggest that individuals respond differently to environmental thresholds for emergence and individuals may be characterized as risk-taking or risk-aversive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett A. DeGregorio
- University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, SC 29802, USA
| | | | - Robert A. Kennamer
- University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, SC 29802, USA
| | - Bess B. Harris
- University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, SC 29802, USA
- Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Gainesville, FL 32653, USA
| | - I. Lehr Brisbin
- University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, SC 29802, USA
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49
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Geisler CE, Kentch KP, Renquist BJ. Non-Mammalian Vertebrates: Distinct Models to Assess the Role of Ion Gradients in Energy Expenditure. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2017; 8:224. [PMID: 28919880 PMCID: PMC5585156 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2017.00224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals store metabolic energy as electrochemical gradients. At least 50% of mammalian energy is expended to maintain electrochemical gradients across the inner mitochondrial membrane (H+), the sarcoplasmic reticulum (Ca++), and the plasma membrane (Na+/K+). The potential energy of these gradients can be used to perform work (e.g., transport molecules, stimulate contraction, and release hormones) or can be released as heat. Because ectothermic species adapt their body temperature to the environment, they are not constrained by energetic demands that are required to maintain a constant body temperature. In fact, ectothermic species expend seven to eight times less energy than similarly sized homeotherms. Accordingly, ectotherms adopt low metabolic rates to survive cold, hypoxia, and extreme bouts of fasting that would result in energy wasting, lactic acidosis and apoptosis, or starvation in homeotherms, respectively. Ectotherms have also evolved unique applications of ion gradients to allow for localized endothermy. Endothermic avian species, which lack brown adipose tissue, have been integral in assessing the role of H+ and Ca++ cycling in skeletal muscle thermogenesis. Accordingly, the diversity of non-mammalian vertebrate species allows them to serve as unique models to better understand the role of ion gradients in heat production, metabolic flux, and adaptation to stressors, including obesity, starvation, cold, and hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline E. Geisler
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Kyle P. Kentch
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Benjamin J. Renquist
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
- *Correspondence: Benjamin J. Renquist,
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50
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Santin JM, Hartzler LK. Activation of respiratory muscles does not occur during cold-submergence in bullfrogs, Lithobates catesbeianus. J Exp Biol 2017; 220:1181-1186. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.153544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Semiaquatic frogs may not breathe air for several months because they overwinter in ice-covered ponds. In contrast to many vertebrates that experience decreased motor performance after inactivity, respiratory motor function in bullfrogs, Lithobates catesbeianus, remains functional following cold-submergence. Unlike mammalian hibernators with unloaded limb muscles and inactive locomotor systems, respiratory mechanics of frogs counterintuitively allow for ventilatory maneuvers when submerged. Thus we hypothesized that bullfrogs generate respiratory motor patterns during cold-submergence to avoid disuse and preserve motor performance. Accordingly, we measured activity of respiratory muscles (buccal floor compressor and glottal dilator) via electromyography in freely behaving bullfrogs at 20°C and 2°C. Although we confirm that ventilation cycles occur underwater at 20°C, bullfrogs did not activate either respiratory muscle when submerged acutely or chronically at 2°C. We conclude that cold-submerged bullfrogs endure respiratory motor inactivity, implying that other mechanisms, excluding underwater muscle activation, maintain a functional respiratory motor system throughout overwintering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M. Santin
- Wright State University, Department of Biological Sciences, 3640 Colonel Glenn. Hwy. Dayton, OH 45435, USA
| | - Lynn K. Hartzler
- Wright State University, Department of Biological Sciences, 3640 Colonel Glenn. Hwy. Dayton, OH 45435, USA
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