Literaturdatenbank
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Currylow, A. F., Tift, M. S., Meyer, J. L., Crocker, D. E., & Williams, R. N. (2013). Seasonal variations in plasma vitellogenin and sex steroids in male and female eastern box turtles, terrapene c. carolina. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 180(1), 48–55.
Added by: Admin (06 Jan 2014 18:22:43 UTC) |
| Resource type: Journal Article DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ygcen.2012.11.005 BibTeX citation key: Currylow2013 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Emydidae, Fortpflanzung - reproduction, Habitat - habitat, Nordamerika - North America, Physiologie - physiology, Schildkröten - turtles + tortoises, Terrapene carolina Creators: Crocker, Currylow, Meyer, Tift, Williams Collection: General and Comparative Endocrinology |
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| Abstract |
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The Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) is a widespread species that has recently experienced precipitous declines throughout its range. Although many studies have documented aspects of reproduction in box turtles, reproductive physiology of free-ranging animals is unknown and can be crucial in this species’ recovery. Over a two-year period, we measured reproductive parameters, (vitellogenin , estradiol-17β , and total testosterone ), in plasma of 116 free-ranging Eastern Box Turtles across their active season. We found similar seasonal variations of Vtg and E2 within females. Mid-season, females showed a sharp peak in E2 that correlates with the putative beginning of the ovarian cycle. Individual females lacking these expected peaks of both Vtg and E2 suggest that some female T. c. carolina may not reproduce annually. Females typically expressed undetectable levels of TT, yet there was a small peak in TT early in the active season. Male Eastern Box Turtles exhibited a dual peak in TT. Elevated TT in males was significantly associated with observed sexual behaviors and smaller home ranges. Body condition had no effect on the concentration of TT or E2 in either sex. This is the first study to 1) document Vtg and sex steroid hormones in free-ranging animals of this genus, and 2) relate those metrics to individuals, the population, the purported annual cycle, and to other chelonian species.
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