Oxygen uptake and heart rate in young Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) |
| |
Authors: | J Davenport G Inagle and A K Hughes |
| |
Institution: | *N.E.R.C. Unit. Marine Science Laboratories. Menai Bridge. Gwynedd. U.K.;**Department of Zoology. Manchester University. Manchester. U.K. |
| |
Abstract: | Oxygen uptake. heart rate and breathing frequencies were monitored in yearling Green turtles. Routine fed animals used about 100μ O2 g live turtle-1 h-1 at 25 C; this value was not significantly affected by size or short term food deprivation. Starved turtle showed a doubling of oxygen uptake after a satiation meal and heightened uptake persisted for five days. Between 15 and 30 C oxygen consumption increased with rising temperature; below 15 C there was falling temperature. Vigorous activity increased oxygen uptake to two or three times thr routine fed levels. Turtles swimming gently at 25 C exhibited a heart rate of around 46–48 beats min-1; this rose to 64–68 beats min-1 during vigorous and continuous activity. Contrary to expectations profound bradycardia was not seen during diving; even during 10 min dives a rate of 25–28 beats min-1 was sustained. Significantly lower heart rates were only seen in turtles which were apparently asleep. |
| |
Keywords: | |
|