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Fielder, D. P. (2011). Seasonal and diel dive performance and behavioral ecology of the bimodally respiring freshwater turtle myuchelys bellii of eastern australia. Journal of Comparative Physiology A: Neuroethology, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology, (online first), 199–209.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich (27 Nov 2011 14:28:03 UTC) |
Resource type: Journal Article BibTeX citation key: Fielder2011 View all bibliographic details ![]() |
Categories: General Keywords: Australien = Australia, Chelidae, Chelodina, Chelodina bellii, Elseya, Elseya albagula, Habitat = habitat, Kinosternidae, Kinosternon, Kinosternon leucostomum, Physiologie = physiology, Rheodytes, Rheodytes leukops, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises Creators: Fielder Collection: Journal of Comparative Physiology A: Neuroethology, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology |
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Abstract |
Freshwater turtles have an extraordinary physiological ability to endure dive times that can range from days to months using aquatic respiration. In cryptodires (e.g., white-lipped mud turtle Kinosternon leucostomum) aquatic respiration is via buccal or cutaneous routes whereas in pleurodires (e.g., Fitzroy River turtle Rheodytes leukops), it is achieved primarily via specialized cloacal bursae. This study records the voluntary diving performance of the western sawshelled turtle Myuchelys bellii in Bald Rock Creek from the temperate zone of the Murray- Darling Basin of Australia. Myuchelys bellii has a moderately specialized cloacal bursae morphology compared to other pleurodiran turtles and displays impressive dive durations spanning more than 15 days during the winter months. This is attributed to its ability to maintain aerobic dives via its cloacal bursae and low water temperatures in winter. Myuchelys bellii seasonal and diel diving performance, including its crepuscular habit, is comparable to R. leukops and Elseya albagula. This study also recorded the first aquatic hibernation at depth (greater than3 m) for any freshwater turtle; and only the second pleurodire to demonstrate aquatic hibernation as an overwintering strategy. Observed thermoregulation behavior in M. bellii is believed to provide multiple life history benefits.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich |