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sequence analysis of the zfy and sox genes in the turtle, chelydra serpentina.we have sequenced regions of the zfy and sox genes in the turtle chelydra serpentina, a reptile with temperature-dependent sex determination. the zfy gene in mammals encodes a transcription factor with multiple zinc fingers that may be involved in spermatogenesis as well as other processes. the turtle homologue, zft, is 92% identical to the zfy gene at the nucleotide and amino acid levels in the region of zinc fingers 7-12. there are several sox genes in the turtle that are only 57-70% identical ...19948025725
the amino acid sequence of iguana (iguana iguana) pancreatic ribonuclease.the pyrimidine-specific ribonuclease superfamily constitutes a group of homologous proteins so far found only in higher vertebrates. four separate families are found in mammals, which have resulted from gene duplications in mammalian ancestors. to learn more about the evolutionary history of this superfamily, the primary structure and other characteristics of the pancreatic enzyme from iguana (iguana iguana), a herbivorous lizard species belonging to the reptiles, have been determined. the polyp ...19948307028
purification and properties of alligator mississipiensis cytochrome c.cytochrome c has been purified to homogeneity from alligator liver (alligator mississipiensis) using aluminum sulfate precipitation, cm-cellulose and gel-filtration chromatography, and reverse-phase hplc. the protein exhibited a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with an approximate molecular weight of 12,000 da. oxidized and reduced visible spectra yielded maxima at 408 (tau) nm and 315 (delta), 415 (tau), 520 (beta), and 550 (alpha) nm, respectively, while ...19938384830
comparative studies of thyroxine binding proteins in turtle plasma using column chromatography.thyroxine (t4) binding proteins in turtle plasma were compared with those of various mammalian and nonmammalian (fish, birds) species using gel filtration chromatography (bio-gel). high-affinity t4 binding was observed in all mammals studied, in the chicken, and in one species of turtle, trachemys scripta. this high affinity t4 binding protein (tbp) appears to be the major component of t4 transport in the turtle; selective removal of this tbp greatly diminished binding activity in t. scripta pla ...19938428644
binding affinities of thyroxine-binding proteins in turtle plasma.binding affinities (ka) for thyroxine (t4) by blood plasma and purified plasma proteins from two turtles, the slider (trachemys scripta) and snapper (chelydra serpentina), were compared with those of a human using equilibrium dialysis. the purified t4 binding protein (tbp) from t. scripta had a high affinity that was lower by about fivefold than that of human tbg (3.2 x 10(9) vs 1.7 x 10(10) m-1). the affinity of t4 binding by tbp was similar to that determined for whole plasma from this species ...19938504925
comparative effects of diverse vertebrate gonadotropins on estradiol-17 beta formation in vitro in an immature rat sertoli cell bioassay.the biopotencies of pituitary gonadotropins (gths) from various vertebrate classes were examined in an in vitro rat sertoli cell bioassay which was previously established for mammalian follicle-stimulating hormones (fshs). potencies of the gonadotropins were determined by incubation of sertoli cells obtained from 10-day-old rats, with increasing doses of gths, which resulted in dose-related and parallel estradiol-17 beta formation converted from added 19-hydroxy-androstenedione. in general, mamm ...19968930616
purification and characterization of plasma vitamin d binding protein from the snapping turtle, chelydra serpentina.vitamin d binding protein (dbp) was isolated from the plasma of the snapping turtle, chelydra serpentina (mixed sex adult), and compared with the previously characterized dual function binding plasma protein that binds both thyroxine (t4) and vitamin d (tstdbp) in an emydid turtle, trachemys scripta. purification of chelydra serpentina dbp (csdbp) was accomplished by ion exchange chromatography, preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatogra ...19968954770
temporal and geographic variation of organochlorine residues in eggs of the common snapping turtle (chelydra serpentina serpentina) (1981-1991) and comparisons to trends in the herring gull (larus argentatus) in the great lakes basin in ontario, canada.common snapping turtle (chelydra serpentina serpentina) eggs from five sites within the great lakes basin, and from a reference site in north-central ontario were collected during 1981-1991 and analyzed for four organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs) including six non-ortho pcbs, polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (pcdds), and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (pcdfs). the pattern of geographic variation was consistent over time in eggs with cootes paradise/ hamilton harbour and lyn ...19968975824
heart rate during development in the turtle embryo: effect of temperature.growth and development can occur over a wide range of physical conditions in reptiles. cardiovascular function must be critical to this ability. however, information on cardiovascular function in developing reptiles is lacking. previous work indicated that in reptiles the effects of temperature on growth and metabolism are largely restricted to early development. this study examined whether the previously observed effects of temperature and different perinatal patterns of metabolism observed in ...19968981759
lead poisoning and intestinal perforations in a snapping turtle (chelydra serpentina) due to fishing gear ingestion.an adult male snapping turtle (chelydra serpentina) was presented to the tufts wildlife clinic with generalized weakness and limited ability to walk. a fishing hook was lodged in the corner of its mouth, monofilament line trailed from its cloaca, and radiography revealed that the turtle had ingested two additional hooks and a large sinker. the hemogram showed leukocytosis. at exploratory celiotomy, the fishing line was seen to have acted as a linear foreign body and had perforated the intestines ...19979226626
abundant synthesis of transthyretin in the brain, but not in the liver, of turtles.the binding of thyroxine to proteins in the blood plasma of the turtle, trachemys scripta, was analyzed by incubation with radioactive thyroxine, electrophoresis and autoradiography. albumin and an alpha-globulin were found to bind thyroxine; no thyroxine-binding transthyretin was detected in the prealbumin region. in contrast to blood plasma, a thyroxine-binding prealbumin was observed in medium from t. scripta choroid plexus incubated in vitro. rna was extracted from brain tissue containing ch ...19979253180
the regulation of tyrosinase gene transcription.tyrosinase is one of the key enzymes essential for melanogenesis. the control of its activity rests in part at the level of transcriptional regulation. the 5' promoter regions of the human, mouse, chicken, quail, snapping turtle, and frog tyrosinase sequences have been isolated and the mechanisms regulating the activity of these sequences are beginning to be elucidated. this review provides an update on the following aspects of tyrosinase gene regulation: basal promoter elements that determine t ...19979266599
seasonal changes in gonadal activity and the effects of stress on reproductive hormones in the common snapping turtle, chelydra serpentina.the seasonal gonadal cycle (including gonadal histology, sex steroids, and gonadotropins) was studied in freshly captured common snapping turtles, chelydra serpentina, from wisconsin, and the effects of capture stress were evaluated. the ovarian and testicular cycles are shorter than those reported in other freshwater turtles; the cycles commence in mid-may and terminate in early september, immediately after the completion of gonadal growth and maturation. in the female, testosterone (t), 17beta ...19979268617
embryonic temperature influences juvenile temperature choice and growth rate in snapping turtles chelydra serpentina.snapping turtles (chelydra serpentina) demonstrate temperature-dependent sex determination (tsd): intermediate egg incubation temperatures (23-27 degreesc) produce males, while extreme temperatures produce females. snapping turtles are also sexually dimorphic: adult males are typically larger than females. previous researchers hypothesized that male-producing egg temperatures enhanced the growth rate of juvenile turtles, resulting in the adult dimorphism and potentially providing an adaptive ben ...19989427676
purification and partial amino acid sequences of two distinct albumins from turtle plasma.two putative albumins, denoted alb-1 (apparent molecular mass of 67 kda) and alb-2 (68 kda), were purified from plasma of the emydid turtle (trachemys scripta). concentrations in serum or plasma were determined by radioimmunoassay using 125i-labeled alb-1. in juvenile turtles (less than 2 years of age), serum concentrations of alb-1 and alb-2 were 2.72 +/- 0.23 mg/ml and 1.68 +/- 0.22 mg/ml, respectively, while concentrations in plasma pooled from adult turtles were 4.2 mg/ml and 2.6 mg/ml, resp ...19979440230
environmental occurrence and potential toxicity of planar, mono-, and di-ortho polychlorinated biphenyls in the biota.four non-ortho-, eight mono-ortho-, and two di-ortho-chlorinated congeners have been determined in fresh water and salt water mussels, fish, snapping turtles, mallard, seals, and in human milk and adipose tissue. the planar pcb congeners are separated from the remainder of pcbs by activated carbon chromatography or hplc on porous graphitic carbon followed by gas chromatography with electron capture detection. pcb toxic equivalency factors (tefs) recommended by who [1] for 3 non-ortho, 8 mono-ort ...19989503581
embryonic temperature influences juvenile temperature choice and growth rate in snapping turtles chelydra serpentina.snapping turtles (chelydra serpentina) demonstrate temperature-dependent sex determination (tsd): intermediate egg incubation temperatures (23-27 degrees c) produce males, while extreme temperatures produce females. snapping turtles are also sexually dimorphic: adult males are typically larger than females. previous researchers hypothesized that male-producing egg temperatures enhanced the growth rate of juvenile turtles, resulting in the adult dimorphism and potentially providing an adaptive be ...19989503646
impact of organochlorine contamination on levels of sex hormones and external morphology of common snapping turtles (chelydra serpentina serpentina) in ontario, canada.recent research has suggested that contaminants in the environment may influence sex differentiation and reproductive endocrine function in wildlife. concentrations of organochlorine contaminants (total polychlorinated biphenyls, pesticides) were higher in the blood plasma of snapping turtles from contaminated sites than in those from reference sites. the ratio of the precloacal length to the posterior lobe of the plastron (ppr) is sexually dimorphic in snapping turtles. there were significant r ...19989518475
hematology and clinical chemistry reference ranges for clinically normal, captive new guinea snapping turtle (elseya novaeguineae) and the effects of temperature, sex, and sample type.median values and confidence intervals for hematology and serum and plasma chemistry parameters were established for 29 male and female healthy new guinea snapping turtles (elseya novaeguineae) held at 24.5 degrees c and 30.0 degrees c. creatine kinase, albumin, potassium, and phosphorus values were significantly higher at 24.5 degrees c than at 30.0 degrees c. glucose, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate transaminase, alanine aminotransferase, total carbon dioxide, and chloride values were signific ...19979523632
kinematics of aquatic and terrestrial prey capture in terrapene carolina, with implications for the evolution of feeding in cryptodire turtles.studies of aquatic prey capture in vertebrates have demonstrated remarkable convergence in kinematics between diverse vertebrate taxa. when feeding in water, most vertebrates employ large-amplitude hyoid depression to expand the oral cavity and suck in water along with the prey. in contrast, vertebrates feeding on land exhibit little or no hyoid depression. in this study we compared the kinematics of terrestrial and aquatic prey capture within one species of turtle, terrapene carolina, in order ...19989658591
photoreceptor coupling in turtle retina.photoreceptors in the isolated turtle retina of two species of turtle, chelydra serpentina and pseudemus scripta elegans, were penetrated with double-barrel electrodes. physiological responses were recorded through one barrel and neurobiotin tracer was injected from the other. intracellular injection of neurobiotin revealed patterns of tracer-coupled photoreceptors. both the patterns of tracer coupling and the electrophysiology suggest a high degree of specificity of connections. rods seem to be ...20159682876
endogenous yolk steroid hormones in turtles with different sex-determining mechanisms.maternal transfer of nutrients, including steroid hormones, to embryos during gestation in viviparous amniotes is well known, but the concordant process in oviparous amniotes is poorly understood. recent evidence suggests that steroid hormones are present in freshly laid eggs of archosaurs and that their concentrations may influence offspring phenotypes. this process might be especially important in reptiles with temperature-dependent sex determination (tsd), because embryonic sex determination ...19989707477
chelonacarus elongatus n. gen., n. sp. (acari: cloacaridae) from the cloaca of the green turtle chelonia mydas (cheloniidae).chelonacarus elongatus n. gen., n. sp. is proposed for a cheyletoid mite (acari: prostigmata) of the family cloacaridae found in the cloacal tissue of the endangered green turtle chelonia mydas linnaeus, 1758 from the atlantic coast of the republic of panama. in females, the new genus is distinguished from other genera of turtle cloacarids by the elongate slender shape of the idiosoma, the shape and pattern of sclerotization of the dorsal shield, and the fused distal ends of apodemes ii. a combi ...19989714221
effect of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane on sex determination of the common snapping turtle (chelydra serpentina serpentina).recent evidence indicates that 1,1,1-trichloro-2, 2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (ddt) and some of its metabolites alter reproductive and endocrine function in wildlife. exposure to such endocrine-disrupting compounds during embryonic development can affect sexual differentiation. the authors tested the hypothesis that dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p,p'-dde) causes feminization of the common snapping turtle (chelydra s. serpentina), a species with temperature-dependent sex determination, during ...199910381306
embryonic temperature affects metabolic compensation and thyroid hormones in hatchling snapping turtles.temperature acclimation of adult vertebrates typically induces changes in metabolic physiology. during early development, such metabolic compensation might have profound consequences, yet acclimation of metabolism is little studied in early life stages. we measured the effect of egg incubation temperature on resting metabolic rate (rmr) and blood thyroid hormone levels of hatchling snapping turtles (chelydra serpentina). like many reptiles, snapping turtles have temperature-dependent sex determi ...200710521320
influence of water availability during incubation on hatchling size, body composition, desiccation tolerance, and terrestrial locomotor performance in the snapping turtle chelydra serpentina.the effects of water availability during incubation on the water contents of neonatal snapping turtles at hatching were examined, along with the influence of hatchling water content on desiccation tolerance and terrestrial locomotor performance. the water contents of hatchlings from eggs incubated on wet substrates were both absolutely and proportionally greater than were those of hatchlings from eggs incubated on dry substrates. hatchlings with greater water contents at hatching were able to su ...200610603335
availability of water affects organ growth in prenatal and neonatal snapping turtles (chelydra serpentina).we manipulated the amount of water that was available to prenatal and neonatal snapping turtles (chelydra serpentina) in order to assess the impact of water on growth by different organs in these animals. three treatments were used: (1) turtles that completed their incubation on a wet substrate, (2) turtles that completed their incubation on a dry substrate, and (3) turtles that spent a few days in water after completing incubation on a dry substrate. turtles hatching on a dry substrate (treatme ...200010707327
an ontogenetic shift in the response of heart rates to temperature in the developing snapping turtle (chelydra serpentina).the affect of acute changes in temperature on heart rates was investigated for the first time in a developing reptile. heart rates were determined early and late in incubation in snapping turtle (chelydra serpentina) eggs. late in incubation heart rates at any given temperature were lower than those observed early in incubation. the results of temperature switching experiments late in incubation were consistent with thermal acclimation.200010745125
effects of maternal identity and incubation temperature on snapping turtle (chelydra serpentina) metabolism.individual variation in physiological traits may have important consequences for offspring survivorship and adult fitness. variance in offspring phenotypes is due to interindividual differences in genotype, environment, and/or maternal effects. this study examined the contributions of incubation environment, maternal effects, and clutch identity to individual variation in metabolic rates in the common snapping turtle, chelydra serpentina. we measured standard metabolic rate, as determined by oxy ...200610893169
respiratory responses to short term hypoxia in the snapping turtle, chelydra serpentina.among vertebrates, turtles are able to tolerate exceptionally low oxygen tensions. we have investigated the compensatory mechanisms that regulate respiration and blood oxygen transport in snapping turtles during short exposure to hypoxia. snapping turtles started to hyperventilate when oxygen levels dropped below 10% o(2). total ventilation increased 1.75-fold, essentially related to an increase in respiration frequency. during normoxia, respiration occurred in bouts of four to five breaths, whe ...200010936762
chlorinated hydrocarbon concentrations in plasma of the lake erie water snake (nerodia sipedon insularum) and northern water snake (nerodia sipedon sipedon) from the great lakes basin in 1998.from the great lakes basin, concentrations of 59 congener-specific polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs) and 14 organochlorine pesticides were measured in blood plasma of northern water snake (nerodia sipedon sipedon) and lake erie water snake (nerodia sipedon insularum), which is endangered in canada. in 1998, four male adult lake erie water snakes were sampled from pelee island, western lake erie; four male northern water snakes were sampled at little lake, about 20 km north of parry sound in centr ...200011031311
seasonal changes in physiology and development of cold hardiness in the hatchling painted turtle chrysemys picta.hatchling painted turtles (chrysemys picta) commonly hibernate in shallow, natal nests where winter temperatures may fall below -10 degrees c. although hatchlings are moderately freeze-tolerant, they apparently rely on supercooling to survive exposure to severe cold. we investigated seasonal changes in physiology and in the development of supercooling capacity and resistance to inoculative freezing in hatchling chrysemys picta exposed in the laboratory to temperatures that decreased from 22 to 4 ...200011044384
morphogenesis of the turtle shell: the development of a novel structure in tetrapod evolution.the turtle shell is an evolutionary novelty that is synapomorphic for chelonians. the carapace is initiated by the entrapment of the ribs by the carapacial ridge (cr), a lateral bulge of the dorsal ectoderm and dermal mesoderm. the mechanisms by which the cr is initiated, the ribs entrapped and the dorsal dermis ossified, remains unknown. similarly, the formation of the plastron remains unexplained. here, we present a series of anatomical investigations into plastron and carapace formation in th ...200711341674
development of the pulmonary surfactant system in non-mammalian amniotes.pulmonary surfactant (ps) is a complex mixture of phospholipids, neutral lipids and proteins that lines the inner surface of the lung. here, it modulates surface tension thereby increasing lung compliance and preventing the transudation of fluid. in mammals, the ps system develops towards the end of gestation, characterized by an increase in the saturation of phospholipids in lung washings and the appearance of surfactant proteins in amniotic fluid. birth, the transition from in utero to the ext ...200111369533
comparison and evolution of the lagena in various animal species.the structure of the vestibular organs of the teleost fish (bluegill), newts (japanese fire-belly newt), frogs (black-spotted pond frog), snapping turtles and birds (chicks) was morphologically compared, with particular attention to the lagena macula, and the differences between animal species with relation to evolution were considered. teleost fish had no striola on the lagena macula. the striola of newts were short and restricted to the central area of the macula, but those of frogs, snapping ...200111425201
cold-hardiness and evaporative water loss in hatchling turtles.north american turtles hatch in late summer and spend their first winter either on land or underwater. adaptations for terrestrial overwintering of hatchlings in northern regions, where winter thermal and hydric regimes are harsh, have not been systematically investigated in many species. we measured intrinsic supercooling capacity, resistance to inoculative freezing, and desiccation resistance in hatchlings of terrestrial and aquatic turtles collected from northern (terrapene ornata, chrysemys ...200811436135
organochlorine pesticides, pcbs, dibenzodioxin, and furan concentrations in common snapping turtle eggs (chelydra serpentina serpentina) in akwesasne, mohawk territory, ontario, canada.subsamples of eight clutches of common snapping turtle eggs (chelydra serpentina serpentina) were collected from four sites from the territory of the mohawk nation, akwesasne, on the shore of the st. lawrence river. egg contents were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs), dibenzodioxins, and furans. the sites were 2 to 13 km downstream from pcb-contaminated landfill sites. maximum concentrations of total pcbs in snapping turtle clutches were extremely high, and ...200111443374
cross-species investigations of prenatal experience, hatching behavior, and postnatal behavioral laterality.turning biases have been reported in some mammalian species, but less is known about such biases in nonmammalians. this study investigated turning biases in domestic chicks, bobwhite and japanese quail, leopard geckos, and snapping turtles. domestic chicks (white leghorn and bantam) and bobwhite quail demonstrate strong group laterality. japanese quail chicks, snapping turtles, and leopard geckos demonstrate no significant group bias. results are discussed with regard to differences in embryonic ...200111568878
snapping turtles (chelydra serpentina) as monitors for mercury contamination of aquatic environments.we assessed the distribution of mercury in snapping turtles (chelydra serpentina) by analyzing front shoulder muscle, back leg muscle, tail muscle, blood, liver, and marginal carapacial scute (shell) of 26 adult turtles from five small lakes. total mercury concentration in muscle ranged from 50 to 500 ng g(-1) wet weight and was highly correlated among the three tissue locations. there was no relationship between muscle mercury concentration and body size. mercury concentration in blood was simi ...200111683228
transmission of haemogregarina balli from painted turtles to snapping turtles through the leech placobdella ornata.six leeches (placobdella ornata) were allowed to feed on a painted turtle (chrysemys picta marginata) infected with haemogregarina balli and subjected to a period of diapause before being allowed to feed on 2 laboratory-reared snapping turtles (chelydra serpentina). weekly examination of thin blood films revealed infections of the turtles at 130 days postfeeding. these observations provide support for broad host specificity of hemogregarine parasites of chelonians.200111695407
wildlife as sentinels of human health effects in the great lakes--st. lawrence basin.there is no existing formal, long-term program for gathering evidence of the incidence and severity of the health effects of toxic substances in wildlife. however, research-based studies of bald eagles, herring gulls, night herons, tree swallows, snapping turtles, mink, and beluga over the past 30 years have revealed a broad spectrum of health effects in the great lakes-st. lawrence basin including thyroid and other endocrine disorders, metabolic diseases, altered immune function, reproductive i ...200111744503
expression of p450(arom) in malaclemys terrapin and chelydra serpentina: a tale of two sites.the formation of estrogens from androgens in all vertebrates is catalyzed by the "aromatase" complex, which consists of a membrane bound p(450) enzyme, p(450) aromatase (which binds the androgen substrate and inserts an oxygen into the molecule), and a flavoprotein (nadph-cytochrome p450 reductase). among vertebrates, the two major sites of aromatase expression are the brain and gonads. given the importance of estrogen in reptile sex determination, we set out to examine whether p450arom was invo ...200111748616
functional conservation of the promoter regions of vertebrate tyrosinase genes.tyrosinase is the key enzyme for synthesizing melanin pigments, which primarily determine mammalian skin coloration. considering the important roles of pigments in the evolution and the adaptation of vertebrates, phylogenetic changes in the coding and flanking regulatory sequences of the tyrosinase gene are particularly intriguing. we have now cloned cdna encoding tyrosinase from japanese quail and snapping turtle. these nonmammalian cdna are highly homologous to those of the mouse and human tyr ...200111764277
the pulmonary surfactant system matures upon pipping in the freshwater turtle chelydra serpentina.pulmonary surfactant (ps), a mixture of phospholipids (pl), neutral lipids and surfactant proteins (sp), lowers surface tension within the lung, which increases lung compliance and improves the removal of fluid at birth. here, we have examined the expression of thyroid transcription factor-1 (ttf-1) and the surfactant protein sp-b, and also the composition of pulmonary surfactant lipids in the developing lung of the turtle chelydra serpentina. lavage and lung tissue were collected from late embr ...200211854378
octylphenol (op) alters the expression of members of the amyloid protein family in the hypothalamus of the snapping turtle, chelydra serpentina serpentina.the gonadal estrogen estradiol-17beta (e(2)) is important for developing and regulating hypothalamic function and many aspects of reproduction in vertebrates. pollutants such as octylphenol (op) that mimic the actions of estrogens are therefore candidate endocrine-disrupting chemicals. we used a differential display strategy (rna-arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction) to isolate partial cdna sequences of neurotransmitter, developmental, and disease-related genes that may be regulated by o ...200211882478
sexually dimorphic morphology of hatchling snapping turtles (chelydra serpentina) from contaminated and reference sites in the great lakes and st. lawrence river basin, north america.some organochlorine pesticides and industrial chemicals may alter sexually dimorphic traits through endocrine disruption. therefore, we examined a sexually dimorphic trait, precloacal length, of hatchling snapping turtles (chelydra serpentina) incubated from 31 clutches from a heavily contaminated site (hamilton harbour, on, canada; n = 14), a moderately contaminated site (akwesasne mohawk territory; n = 3), and from a reference site (algonquin provincial park, on, canada; n = 14). the mean sum ...200212013138
wetness of the nest environment influences cardiac development in pre- and post-natal snapping turtles (chelydra serpentina).we dissected hearts from near-term embryos and hatchlings of common snapping turtles (chelydridae: chelydra serpentina) whose eggs had incubated on wet or dry substrates, and then dried and individually weighed the heart and yolk-free carcass from each animal. hearts and carcasses of prenatal and neonatal animals grew at different rates, and the patterns of growth by both heart and carcass differed between wet and dry environments. hearts grew faster, both in actual mass and in mass adjusted for ...200212095870
yolk hormone levels in the eggs of snapping turtles and painted turtles.although yolk steroids appear to play important roles in the development, growth, and behavior of some birds, their effects in oviparous reptiles are largely unknown. these investigations were initiated to determine initial levels of steroid hormones in the yolks of eggs from two turtle species. clutches of snapping turtle (chelydra serpentina) and of painted turtle (chrysemys picta) eggs were collected and individual egg yolks were analyzed for estradiol-17beta (e(2)) and testosterone (t) using ...200212161198
dynamics of yolk steroid hormones during development in a reptile with temperature-dependent sex determination.many oviparous reptiles exhibit temperature-dependent sex determination (tsd); i.e., the temperature at which the egg is incubated determines the sex of the offspring. in tsd reptiles, yolk steroids not only may influence sex determination, but also may mediate hormonal effects on subsequent growth and behavior, as in some avian species. we investigated changes in the levels of estradiol (e(2)) and testosterone (t) during development in yolks of snapping turtle eggs, examined how incubation temp ...200212161199
comparative patterns of postcranial ontogeny in therian mammals: an analysis of relative timing of ossification events.data on the relative sequence of ossification of postcranial elements for eight therian mammals (myotis lucifugus, homo sapiens, rattus norvegicus, mus musculus, mesocricetus auratus, cavia porcellus, didelphis albiventris, and sminthopsis macroura) and three outgroups (chelydra serpentina, alligator mississippiensis, and lacerta vivipara) were taken from the literature. for each species, a matrix was constructed in which the relative timing of the onset of ossification in 24 elements was summar ...200212362432
ranking terrestrial vertebrate species for utility in biomonitoring and vulnerability to environmental contaminants.the measurement of contaminant tissue concentrations or exposure-related effects in biota has been used extensively to monitor pollution and environmental health. terrestrial vertebrates have historically been an important group of species in such evaluations, not only because many are excellent sentinels of environmental contamination, but also because they are valued natural resources in their own right that may be adversely affected by toxicant exposure. selection of appropriate vertebrates f ...200312442504
morbidity and mortality of reptiles admitted to the wildlife center of virginia, 1991 to 2000.medical records from 694 reptiles admitted to the wildlife center of virginia (wcv; waynesboro, virginia, usa) from 1991 to 2000 were reviewed to determine causes of morbidity and mortality. eighteen species were represented but the majority of cases were four species; eastern box turtle (terrapene carolina) (66%), eastern painted turtle (chrysemys picta) (11%), common snapping turtle (chelydra serpentina) (10%), and rat snake (elaphe sp.) (6%). there was a significant increase in reptile cases ...200212528435
the physiology of overwintering in a turtle that occupies multiple habitats, the common snapping turtle (chelydra serpentina).common snapping turtles, chelydra serpentina (linnaeus), were submerged in anoxic and normoxic water at 3 degrees c. periodic blood samples were taken, and po(2), pco(2), ph, [na(+)], [k(+)], [cl(-)], total ca, total mg, [lactate], [glucose], hematocrit, and osmolality were measured; weight gain was determined; and plasma [hco(3)(-)] was calculated. submergence in normoxic water caused a decrease in pco(2) from 10.8 to 6.9 mmhg after 125 d, partially compensating a slight increase in lactate and ...201612529844
osteology and skeletal development of apalone spinifera (reptilia: testudines: trionychidae).despite considerable attention that other groups of reptiles have received, few descriptions of the development and sequences of chondrification and ossification of the entire skeleton of turtles exist. herein, the adult skeleton of the spiny softshell turtle, apalone spinifera (testudines: trionychidae), is described; this description forms a basis of comparison for the embryonic skeleton and its ontogenesis. descriptions are made on the basis of cleared and double-stained embryos and dry skele ...200312616574
acanthostomum macroclemidis n. sp. (digenea: cryptogonimidae: acanthostominae) from the alligator snapping turtle, macroclemys temmincki.acanthostomum macroclemidis n. sp. is described from specimens found in the intestine of an alligator snapping turtle macroclemys temmincki from southern mississippi. the most important diagnostic features of the new species are the general shape and proportions of the body, the position of the pharynx (relative length of the prepharynx and esophagus), the egg size, the relative length and position of the vitelline fields, and the number, shape, and size of the circumoral spines. the new species ...200312659321
[requirements for the keeping of dangerous exotic animals].the problem of dangerous dogs receives a lot of public attention. however, there is another group of animals that can threaten public security--the group of dangerous exotic animals. in daily routine mainly venomous snakes, spiders and scorpions or crocodiles, giant snakes and snapping turtles are of practical importance. the paper gives hints how to keep these animals according to animal protection and public safety rules.200312822263
yolk steroid hormones and sex determination in reptiles with tsd.in reptiles with temperature-dependent sex determination (tsd), the temperature at which the eggs are incubated determines the sex of the offspring. the molecular switch responsible for determining sex in these species has not yet been elucidated. we have examined the dynamics of yolk steroid hormones during embryonic development in the snapping turtle, chelydra serpentina, and the alligator, alligator mississippiensis, and have found that yolk estradiol (e(2)) responds differentially to incubat ...200312849957
survival and behavior of freshwater turtles after rehabilitation from an oil spill.an oil spill in february 2000 at the john heinz national wildlife refuge in southeastern pennsylvania affected four species of freshwater turtles including painted turtles (chrysemys picta), snapping turtles (chelydra serpentina), red-eared slider turtles (trachemys scripta), and red-bellied turtles (pseudemys rubriventris). in the summer and fall of 2000, there were no differences in survival, home range, and temperature preference of 16 oil exposed/rehabilitated (oer) turtles, 18 possibly expo ...200312927492
circulation and blood pressure in the great vessels and heart of the turtle (chelydra serpentina). 195713458464
use of intravascular carbon dioxide gas to demonstrate interatrial septal defects. 195813606221
analysis of vagal and cholinesterase effects on the heart of chelydra serpentina. 195813606222
a new species of auridistomum (trematoda: auridistomidae) from snapping turtles of georgia. 195913802130
hypoxia: effects on heart rate and respiration in the snapping turtle.in response to atmospheres containing decreasing amounts of oxygen, snapping turtles (chelydra serpentina) maintained a fairly constant oxygen uptake. their heart rate increased and the period of apnea between breathing cycles decreased. small animals had a slightly greater mean uptake per gram than those five to ten times as large.196314014707
an experimental approach to the development of ear capsule in the turtle, chelydra serpentina. 196514329484
lymphoid aggregates in gonads of embryos, hatchlings, and young of turtles with temperature-dependent sex determination.cellular infiltrations forming lymphoid-like aggregates were previously observed in gonads of two turtle species exhibiting temperature-dependent sex determination (tsd): at hatching in chelydra serpentina; at and after hatching in emys orbicularis. we show here that such aggregates are also present in gonads of testudo graeca by the end of embryonic development, suggesting that their occurrence is general in turtles. since in c. serpentina, infiltrations were observed mainly in testes exhibitin ...200414743515
environmental contamination and developmental abnormalities in eggs and hatchlings of the common snapping turtle (chelydra serpentina serpentina) from the great lakes-st lawrence river basin (1989-1991).during 1989-1991, we assessed developmental abnormalities in embryos and hatchlings from eggs of the common snapping turtle (chelydra serpentina serpentina). eggs were collected and artificially incubated from eight sites in ontario, canada and akwesasne/new york, usa. in eggs from the same clutches we measured 20 organochlorine pesticides, 48 polychlorinated biphenyl (pcbs) congeners including 6 non-ortho pcbs, 8 polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (pcdds), 14 polychlorinated dibenzofurans (pcdfs) a ...199815093107
lactate accumulation, glycogen depletion, and shell composition of hatchling turtles during simulated aquatic hibernation.we submerged hatchling western painted turtles chrysemys picta schneider, snapping turtles chelydra serpentina l. and map turtles graptemys geographica le sueur in normoxic and anoxic water at 3 degrees c. periodically, turtles were removed and whole-body [lactate] and [glycogen] were measured along with relative shell mass, shell water, and shell ash. we analyzed the shell for [na+], [k+], total calcium, total magnesium, pi and total co2. all three species were able to tolerate long-term submer ...200415235017
characterization of contaminants in snapping turtles (chelydra serpentina) from canadian lake erie areas of concern: st. clair river, detroit river, and wheatley harbour.pcbs, organochlorine pesticides and dioxins/furans in snapping turtle eggs and plasma (chelydra serpentina) were evaluated at three areas of concern (aocs) on lake erie and its connecting channels (st. clair river, detroit river, and wheatley harbour), as well as two inland reference sites (algonquin provincial park and tiny marsh) in 2001-2002. eggs from the detroit river and wheatley harbour aocs had the highest levels of p,p'-dde (24.4 and 57.9 ng/g) and sum pcbs (928.6 and 491.0 ng/g) wet we ...200415276278
diagnosis of skeletal injuries in chelonians using computed tomography.computed tomography (ct) was used to diagnose the cause of lameness in a radiated tortoise (geochelone radiata) and to determine the extent of shell and skeletal trauma in two snapping turtles (chelydra serpentina). the radiated tortoise's lameness was ultimately attributed to luxation of the right-shoulder joint that was not detected during plain film radiography. axial and appendicular fractures were identified in one of the snapping turtles that were not detected during plain film radiography ...200415305520
contaminant residues in snapping turtle (chelydra s. serpentina) eggs from the great lakes-st. lawrence river basin (1999 to 2000).to determine temporal and geographic variations of environmentally persistent pollutants, the concentrations of several contaminants were measured in snapping turtle eggs in 1999 and 2000. contaminants included polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs), non- ortho pcbs, polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and furans, organochlorine pesticides, and total mercury. egg collection sites within the st. lawrence area of concern (aoc) and the territory of akwesasne included turtle creek, snye marsh, and raquette riv ...200415386150
skeletal development of macrochelys temminckii (reptilia: testudines: chelydridae).few descriptions of the development and sequence of chondrification and ossification of the entire skeleton of turtles exist, particularly compared to other groups of reptiles. in this study, the embryonic skeleton and its ontogenesis are described for the alligator snapping turtle, macrochelys temminckii (chelydridae). morphological descriptions utilize cleared and double-stained embryonic specimens and form the basis of comparison of the ontogenesis of the skeleton between this species and its ...200515536645
observations on the leech placobdella ornata feeding from bony tissues of turtles.the leech placobdella ornata was observed feeding from the blood sinuses of the plastron and carapace bones of chelydra serpentina and chrysemys picta. evidence of successful feeding included blood upwelling from the point of attachment and gastric ceca of the leeches freshly filled with blood after removal. there was an apparent preference for the sulci between scales of the shell.200415562628
secretory proteins in the reproductive tract of the snapping turtle, chelhydra serpentina.sds-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to separate the secretory proteins produced by the epithelial and endometrial glands of the uterine tube and uterus in the snapping turtle chelydra serpentina. the proteins were analyzed throughout the phases of the reproductive cycle from may to august, including preovulatory, ovulatory, postovulatory or luteal, and vitellogenic phases. the pattern of secretory proteins is quite uniform along the length of the uterine tube, and the same is true of ...200415596394
redescription of dracunculus globocephalus mackin, 1927 (nematoda: dracunculidae), a parasite of the snapping turtle, chelydra serpentina.dracunculus globocephalus mackin, 1927 (nematoda: dracunculoidea) is redescribed from specimens collected from the mesentery of the snapping turtle, chelydra serpentina (l.), in louisiana, usa. the use of scanning electron microscopy, applied for the first time in this species, made it possible to study details in the structure of the cephalic end and the arrangement of male caudal papillae that are difficult to observe under the light microscope. this species markedly differs from all other spe ...200415729947
absence of detectable salmonella cloacal shedding in free-living reptiles on admission to the wildlife center of virginia.salmonellosis is an important reptile-associated zoonotic infection in the united states. cloacal swabs were collected from reptiles admitted to the wildlife center of virginia, waynesboro, virginia, cultured for salmonella using hektoen and xylose lysine deoxycholate agars, and inoculated in selenite broth. all three were incubated at 37 degrees c for 18-24 hr. seventy-five animals were included in the study, representing eight species, 34 eastern box turtles (terrapene carolina carolina), 14 e ...200415732603
anoxia tolerance and freeze tolerance in hatchling turtles.freezing survival in hatchling turtles may be limited by ischemic anoxia in frozen tissues and the associated accumulation of lactate and reactive oxygen species (ros). to determine whether mechanisms for coping with anoxia are also important in freeze tolerance, we examined the association between capacities for freezing survival and anoxia tolerance in hatchlings of seven species of turtles. tolerance to freezing (-2.5 degrees c) was high in emydoidea blandingii, chrysemys picta, terrapene orn ...200515739066
perfluorinated compounds in aquatic organisms at various trophic levels in a great lakes food chain.trophic transfer of perfluorooctanesulfonate (pfos) and other related perfluorinated compounds was examined in a great lakes benthic foodweb including water-algae-zebra mussel-round goby-smallmouth bass. in addition, perfluorinated compounds were measured in livers and eggs of chinook salmon and lake whitefish, in muscle tissue of carp, and in eggs of brown trout collected from michigan. similarly, green frog livers, snapping turtle plasma, mink livers, and bald eagle tissues were analyzed to de ...200515883668
survival and physiological responses of hatchling blanding's turtles (emydoidea blandingii) to submergence in normoxic and hypoxic water under simulated winter conditions.overwintering habits of hatchling blanding's turtles (emydoidea blandingii) are unknown. to determine whether these turtles are able to survive winter in aquatic habitats, we submerged hatchlings in normoxic (155 mmhg po2) and hypoxic (6 mmhg po2) water at 4 degrees c, recording survival times and measuring changes in key physiological variables. for comparison, we simultaneously studied hatchling softshell (apalone spinifera) and snapping (chelydra serpentina) turtles, which are known to overwi ...201615887082
characterization of a ribonuclease gene and encoded protein from the reptile, iguana iguana.in this work we identify an intronless open reading frame encoding an rnase a ribonuclease from genomic dna from the iguana iguana igh2 cell line. the iguana rnase is expressed primarily in pancreas, and represents the majority of the specific enzymatic activity in this tissue. the encoded sequence shares many features with its better-known mammalian counterparts including the crucial his12, lys40 and his114 catalytic residues and efficient hydrolytic activity against yeast trna substrate (k(cat ...200515893436
a high standard metabolic rate constrains juvenile growth.the allocation of energy to various components of an individual's energy budget is often viewed as a competitive process. as such, a tradeoff may exist between production (growth) and maintenance metabolism. one view of a potential tradeoff, termed "the principle of allocation", suggests that individuals with lower maintenance metabolic expenditures may have higher growth rates. to determine whether such a tradeoff exists, i analyzed the relationship between growth rate and maintenance metabolis ...200216351863
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons affect survival and development of common snapping turtle (chelydra serpentina) embryos and hatchlings.polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (pahs) are toxic compounds found in the john heinz national wildlife refuge in philadelphia, pennsylvania. we assessed the impact of pahs and crude oil on snapping turtle development and behavior by exposing snapping turtle eggs from the refuge and from three clean reference sites to individual pahs or a crude oil mixture at stage 9 of embryonic development. exposure to pahs had a significant effect on survival rates in embryos from one clean reference site, but ...200616360251
high incidence of deformity in aquatic turtles in the john heinz national wildlife refuge.the john heinz national wildlife refuge is subject to pollution from multiple sources. we studied development of snapping turtle (chelydra serpentina) and painted turtle (chrysemys picta) embryos from the refuge from 2000 through 2003. mean annual deformity rate of pooled painted turtle clutches over four years ranged from 45 to 71%, while that of snapping turtle clutches ranged from 13 to 19%. lethal deformities were more common than minor or moderate deformities in embryos of both species. adu ...200616360253
intramembranous ossification of scleral ossicles in chelydra serpentina.scleral ossicles are present in many reptiles, including turtles and birds. in both groups the sclerotic ring situated in the eye is composed of a number of imbricating scleral ossicles or plates. despite this gross morphological similarity, andrews (1996. an endochondral rather than a dermal origin for scleral ossicles in cryptodiran turtles. j. herpetol. 30, 257-260) reported that the scleral ossicles of turtles develop endochondrally unlike those in birds, which develop intramembranously afte ...200616377163
oviductal morphology in relation to hormonal levels in the snapping turtle, chelydra serpentina.microscopic and in situ visual observations were used to relate circulating hormone levels to morphological changes in the oviduct of the snapping turtle chelydra serpentina throughout the ovarian cycle. increase in levels of progesterone (p), estradiol (e2) and testosterone (t) levels coincide with an increase in number and growth of endometrial glands, luminal epithelial cells and secretory droplets throughout the oviduct. testosterone and estradiol levels rose significantly (p < 0.05) after t ...200616384588
the complete mitochondrial genome of the enigmatic bigheaded turtle (platysternon): description of unusual genomic features and the reconciliation of phylogenetic hypotheses based on mitochondrial and nuclear dna.the big-headed turtle (platysternon megacephalum) from east asia is the sole living representative of a poorly-studied turtle lineage (platysternidae). it has no close living relatives, and its phylogenetic position within turtles is one of the outstanding controversies in turtle systematics. platysternon was traditionally considered to be close to snapping turtles (chelydridae) based on some studies of its morphology and mitochondrial (mt) dna, however, other studies of morphology and nuclear ( ...200616464263
effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of atrazine on gonadal development of snapping turtles (chelydra serpentina).the herbicide atrazine has been suspected of affecting sexual development by inducing aromatase, resulting in the increased conversion of androgens to estrogens. we used snapping turtles (chelydra serpentina), a species in which sex is dependent on the production of estrogen through aromatase activity in a temperature-dependent manner, to investigate if environmentally relevant exposures to atrazine affected gonadal development. eggs were incubated in soil to which atrazine was applied at a typi ...200616519315
polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations, congener profiles, and ratios in the fat tissue, eggs, and plasma of snapping turtles (chelydra s. serpentina) from the ohio basin of lake erie, usa.concentrations and profiles of polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs) were determined in three tissues of adult snapping turtles (chelydra serpentina serpentina) from six locations in the ohio basin of lake erie to characterize tissue variation and geographic trends. the locations included the ohio areas of concern, i.e., the ashtabula, black, and maumee rivers; the ottawa river near toledo; and two reference sites. mean total pcbs were greatest in turtles from the ottawa river followed by the maumee, ...200616583258
physiological responses to freezing in hatchlings of freeze-tolerant and -intolerant turtles.freeze tolerance is a complex cold-hardiness adaptation that has independently evolved in a diverse group of organisms, including several ectothermic vertebrates. because little is known about the mechanistic basis for freeze tolerance in reptiles, we compared responses to experimental freezing in winter-acclimatized hatchlings representing nine taxa of temperate north american turtles, including ones that tolerated freezing and others that did not. viability rates of hatchlings frozen to -3 deg ...200616758216
comparative shell buffering properties correlate with anoxia tolerance in freshwater turtles.freshwater turtles as a group are more resistant to anoxia than other vertebrates, but some species, such as painted turtles, for reasons not fully understood, can remain anoxic at winter temperatures far longer than others. because buffering of lactic acid by the shell of the painted turtle is crucial to its long-term anoxic survival, we have tested the hypothesis that previously described differences in anoxia tolerance of five species of north american freshwater turtles may be explained at l ...200717008457
high-resolution analysis of salmonellae from turtles within a headwater spring ecosystem.sediments and water from the pristine headwaters of the san marcos river, texas, usa, as well as swabs from biofilms on the carapace and from the cloacae of 17 musk turtles (sternotherus odoratus) and one snapping turtle (chelydra serpentina serpentina) caught at the same site, were analysed for salmonellae by culture and molecular techniques. whereas enrichment cultures from sediment and water samples were negative for salmonellae in pcr- and in situ hybridization-based analyses, both technique ...200717250751
shell bone histology indicates terrestrial palaeoecology of basal turtles.the palaeoecology of basal turtles from the late triassic was classically viewed as being semi-aquatic, similar to the lifestyle of modern snapping turtles. lately, this view was questioned based on limb bone proportions, and a terrestrial palaeoecology was suggested for the turtle stem. here, we present independent shell bone microstructural evidence for a terrestrial habitat of the oldest and basal most well-known turtles, i.e. the upper triassic proterochersis robusta and proganochelys quenst ...200717519193
can natural phenotypic variances be estimated reliably under homogeneous laboratory conditions?the phenotypic variance is assumed to be greater in a more heterogeneous environment. the validity of this assumption is important for microevolutionists to extrapolate results from the laboratory to field environments. we subjected clutches of eggs from common snapping turtles (chelydra serpentina) to a split-family design to evaluate the variability in incubation time and four size traits of neonates from eggs incubated in the laboratory and those left in situ. mean size measurements were simi ...200717584235
influence of feeding ecology on blood mercury concentrations in four species of turtles.mercury is a relatively well-studied pollutant because of its global distribution, toxicity, and ability to bioaccumulate and biomagnify in food webs: however, little is known about bioaccumulation and toxicity of hg in turtles. total hg (thg) concentrations in blood were determined for 552 turtles representing four different species (chelydra serpentina, sternotherus odoratus, chrysemys picta, and pseudemys rubriventris) from a hg-contaminated site on the south river (va, usa) and upstream refe ...200717702349
toxicity of nitrogenous fertilizers to eggs of snapping turtles (chelydra serpentina) in field and laboratory exposures.many reptiles oviposit in soil of agricultural landscapes. we evaluated the toxicity of two commonly used nitrogenous fertilizers, urea and ammonium nitrate, on the survivorship of exposed snapping turtle (chelydra serpentina) eggs. eggs were incubated in a community garden plot in which urea was applied to the soil at realistic rates of up to 200 kg/ha in 2004, and ammonium nitrate was applied at rates of up to 2,000 kg/ha in 2005. otherwise, the eggs were unmanipulated and were subject to ambi ...200717702542
possible adaptive value of water exchanges in flexible-shelled eggs of turtles.use of energy reserves by embryos of common snapping turtles (chelydra serpentina) is related to the hydric conditions to which eggs are exposed during incubation and to the net exchanges of water through the eggshells. embryos developing inside eggs with a relatively favorable water balance use more of their energy reserves metabolically and grow larger before hatching than embryos inside eggs with less favorable water exchanges.198117760193
snapping turtle plea. 197317816278
on chelydra serpentina. 189317832441
the survival of beat in the removed heart of the snapping turtle. 191617840076
snapping turtles (chelydra serpentina) as bioindicators in canadian areas of concern in the great lakes basin. ii. changes in hatching success and hatchling deformities in relation to persistent organic pollutants.hatching success and deformities in snapping turtle hatchlings (chelydra serpentina) were evaluated using eggs collected from 14 sites in the canadian lower great lakes, including areas of concern (aoc), between 2001 and 2004. eggs were analyzed for pcbs, pbdes, and pesticides. between 2002 and 2004, hatchling deformity rates were highest in two aocs (18.3-28.3%) compared to the reference sites (5.3-11.3%). hatching success was poorest in three aocs (71.3-73.1%) compared to the reference sites ( ...200818039552
snapping turtles (chelydra serpentina) as bioindicators in canadian areas of concern in the great lakes basin. 1. polybrominated diphenyl ethers, polychlorinated biphenyls, and organochlorine pesticides in eggs.we examined the concentrations and spatial patterns of congeners of pbdes, pcbs, and organochlorine pesticides in snapping turtle (chelydra serpentina) eggs from areas of concern (aocs) on the canadian shores of lake ontario, st. lawrence river, and connecting channels. eggs from lyons creek (niagara river aoc) reflected a local pcb source over a range of 7.5 km (3.2-10.8) from the welland canal. pcb contamination in eggs declined with increasing distance from the welland canal, whereas the rela ...200718044496
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