Thermoregulation as a function of thermal quality in a northern population of painted turtles, Chrysemys picta

2007 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 526-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.L. Edwards ◽  
G. Blouin-Demers

Body temperature affects nearly all processes of ectotherms. Reptiles do not generate sufficient body heat to regulate their body temperature internally and therefore use behavioural thermoregulation. We determined whether thermoregulatory effort varied among seasons in an environment where large temporal differences in environmental temperatures (Te) exist. We took 31 297 internal body temperature (Tb) measurements from 18 painted turtles ( Chrysemys picta (Schneider, 1783)) throughout their active season. We estimated Te with physical models and water temperatures. We measured the range of preferred body temperatures (Tset) in a thermal gradient. Tset was 21.3–25.0 °C. We used Tb, Te, and Tset to calculate standard thermoregulation indices (Ex and de – db). An Ex of 40.7% and a de – db of 2.4 °C indicated that painted turtles are moderate thermoregulators, despite inhabiting a high-cost environment. Effort to regulate Tb increased as the thermal quality of the habitat decreased. Thermoregulatory effort was higher when Tset could not be achieved. Painted turtles put more effort in thermoregulation in the early season than in the rest of the season. This within-species pattern follows the pattern seen among species. This study is the first to measure Tb internally and to apply standard thermoregulation indices to free-ranging turtles.

2019 ◽  
Vol 132 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-119
Author(s):  
Kelsey A. Marchand ◽  
Christopher M. Somers ◽  
Ray G. Poulin

As urban centres expand, knowledge on the habitat and space use of native wildlife, particularly long-lived species, is required for proper management. Our objective was to understand space requirements and key habitat features necessary for long-term persistence of Western Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta bellii) living in a Canadian urban park. Using radio telemetry, we examined seasonal habitat selection and space use over two years, 2015–2016 (n = 23), and 2016–2017 (n = 29) in Regina, Saskatchewan. Daily movements and home ranges of males and females were smaller during emergence than during nesting or post-nesting phases of the active season. Turtles inhabiting marsh sites had 2- and 4-times larger daily movements and home ranges compared to turtles inhabiting the creek. Turtles selected the shoreline habitat over urban/parkland and open water. Turtles used marsh-shoreline habitats non-randomly, selecting accessible shoreline with large trees in the active season. In contrast, turtles used creek-shoreline habitat according to availability. Overwintering sites selected by turtles were warmer and deeper than random available sites, with no difference in dissolved oxygen level. However, water was hypoxic for most overwintering sites. Our results show that turtles range widely, requiring 20–60 ha throughout the year. Urban park areas should be managed to provide accessible shorelines with a combination of cover and open basking areas. Critically, careful attention needs to be paid to managing water depth so that over-wintering sites remain viable.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fredrik A. F. Markussen ◽  
Vebjørn J. Melum ◽  
Béatrice Bothorel ◽  
David G. Hazlerigg ◽  
Valérie Simonneaux ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Hibernation is a physiological and behavioural adaptation that permits survival during periods of reduced food availability and extreme environmental temperatures. This is achieved through cycles of metabolic depression and reduced body temperature (torpor) and rewarming (arousal). Rewarming from torpor is achieved through the activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) associated with a rapid increase in ventilation frequency. Here, we studied the rate of rewarming in the European hamster (Cricetus cricetus) by measuring both BAT temperature, core body temperature and ventilation frequency. Results Temperature was monitored in parallel in the BAT (IPTT tags) and peritoneal cavity (iButtons) during hibernation torpor-arousal cycling. We found that increases in brown fat temperature preceded core body temperature rises by approximately 48 min, with a maximum re-warming rate of 20.9℃*h-1. Re-warming was accompanied by a significant increase in ventilation frequency. The rate of rewarming was slowed by the presence of a spontaneous thoracic mass in one of our animals. Core body temperature re-warming was reduced by 6.2℃*h-1 and BAT rewarming by 12℃*h-1. Ventilation frequency was increased by 77% during re-warming in the affected animal compared to a healthy animal. Inspection of the position and size of the mass indicated it was obstructing the lungs and heart. Conclusions We have used a minimally invasive method to monitor BAT temperature during arousal from hibernation illustrating BAT re-warming significantly precedes core body temperature re-warming, informing future study design on arousal from hibernation. We also showed compromised re-warming from hibernation in an animal with a mass obstructing the lungs and heart, likely leading to inefficient ventilation and circulation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1930932
Author(s):  
Matiwos Habte ◽  
Mitiku Eshetu ◽  
Melesse Maryo ◽  
Dereje Andualem ◽  
Abiyot Legesse ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 1263
Author(s):  
Mateusz Wójcik ◽  
Dariusz Skaba ◽  
Małgorzata Skucha-Nowak ◽  
Marta Tanasiewicz ◽  
Rafał Wiench

Background: There exists few scientific reports on the quality of digitally reproduced dental arches, even though digital devices have been used in dentistry for many years. This study assesses the accuracy of the standard dental arch model reproduction using both traditional and digital methods. Methods: The quality of the full upper dental arch standard model reproduction by physical models obtained through traditional and digital methods was compared: gypsum models (SGM) and models printed from data obtained using an intraoral scanner (TPM) (n = 20). All models were scanned with a reference scanner. Comparisons were made using Geomagic Control X program by measuring deviations of the models relative to the standard model and analyzing linear dimensions deviations. Results: The average error of reproduction accuracy of the standard model ranged from 0.0424 ± 0.0102 millimeters (mm) (SGM) to 0.1059 ± 0.0041 mm (TPM). In digital methods, all analyzed linear dimensions were shortened to a statistically significantly degree compared to traditional. The SGM method provided the smallest deviations to a significant degree of linear dimensions from the pattern, and TPM the largest. The intercanine dimension was reproduced with the lowest accuracy, and the intermolar the highest in each method. Conclusions: Traditional methods provided the highest reproduction trueness of the full dental arch and all analyzed linear dimensions. The intercanine dimension was reproduced with the lowest accuracy, and the intermolar the highest in each method, where digital methods shortened all analyzed linear dimensions.


1993 ◽  
Vol 130 (2) ◽  
pp. 314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nat B. Frazer ◽  
Judith L. Greene ◽  
J. Whitfield Gibbons

1979 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 1046-1051 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon F. Timmers ◽  
Paul D. Lewis Jr.

One new monogenean is described and 11 other helminths are reported from painted turtles from eastern Manitoba. Polystomoides pauli sp.n. from the host's oral mucosa most closely resembles P. coronatum (Leidy) and P. oris Paul. It differs from the former in having more and larger genital coronet spines, and possession of anterior cecal diverticula, and from the latter in size, larger number of genital coronet spines, and possession of great hooks with entire, not bifid, roots. Price's emendation of P. coronatum to include five species he held to be its synonyms is rejected; and the five species, P. opacum Stunkard, P. megacotyle Stunkard, P. microcotyle Stunkard, P. albicollis MacCallum, and P. digitatum MacCallum are designated species inquirendae. Polystomoides coronatum is restricted to the redescription given for it by Stunkard. The trematodes Crepidostomum sp., Eustomos chelydrae, Microphallus opacus, Protenes angustus, Spirorchis parvus, S. scripta, Telorchis attenuatus, and T. corti, the cestode Proteocephalus sp., and the nematodes Serpinema trispinosa and Spiroxys contortus are reported from Chrysemys picta belli. Except for P. angustus, all represent first reports from turtles in Canada. This is the first report of E. chelydrae from the host stomach, and the second report of M. opacus from naturally infected turtles.


2012 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 184-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masaki Iguchi ◽  
Andrew E. Littmann ◽  
Shuo-Hsiu Chang ◽  
Lydia A. Wester ◽  
Jane S. Knipper ◽  
...  

Context: Conditions such as osteoarthritis, obesity, and spinal cord injury limit the ability of patients to exercise, preventing them from experiencing many well-documented physiologic stressors. Recent evidence indicates that some of these stressors might derive from exercise-induced body temperature increases. Objective: To determine whether whole-body heat stress without exercise triggers cardiovascular, hormonal, and extra-cellular protein responses of exercise. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: University research laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: Twenty-five young, healthy adults (13 men, 12 women; age = 22.1 ± 2.4 years, height = 175.2 ± 11.6 cm, mass = 69.4 ± 14.8 kg, body mass index = 22.6 ± 4.0) volunteered. Intervention(s): Participants sat in a heat stress chamber with heat (73°C) and without heat (26°C) stress for 30 minutes on separate days. We obtained blood samples from a subset of 13 participants (7 men, 6 women) before and after exposure to heat stress. Main Outcome Measure(s): Extracellular heat shock protein (HSP72) and catecholamine plasma concentration, heart rate, blood pressure, and heat perception. Results: After 30 minutes of heat stress, body temperature measured via rectal sensor increased by 0.8°C. Heart rate increased linearly to 131.4 ± 22.4 beats per minute (F6,24 = 186, P < .001) and systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased by 16 mm Hg (F6,24 = 10.1, P < .001) and 5 mm Hg (F6,24 = 5.4, P < .001), respectively. Norepinephrine (F1,12 = 12.1, P = .004) and prolactin (F1,12 = 30.2, P < .001) increased in the plasma (58% and 285%, respectively) (P < .05). The HSP72 (F1,12 = 44.7, P < .001) level increased with heat stress by 48.7% ± 53.9%. No cardiovascular or blood variables showed changes during the control trials (quiet sitting in the heat chamber with no heat stress), resulting in differences between heat and control trials. Conclusions: We found that whole-body heat stress triggers some of the physiologic responses observed with exercise. Future studies are necessary to investigate whether carefully prescribed heat stress constitutes a method to augment or supplement exercise.


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