Reticulate Melanism in Western Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta bellii): Exploring Linkages with Habitat and Heating Rates

2006 ◽  
Vol 156 (2) ◽  
pp. 289-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy K. Gronke ◽  
Steven R. Chipps ◽  
Sarah J. Bandas ◽  
Kenneth F. Higgins
Keyword(s):  
Chrysemys Picta ◽  
Heating Rates ◽  
Painted Turtles ◽  
Chrysemys Picta Bellii

scholarly journals Cold-acclimation induces life stage-specific responses in the cardiac proteome of Western painted turtles (Chrysemys picta bellii): implications for anoxia tolerance

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah L. Alderman ◽  
Claire L. Riggs ◽  
Oliver Bullingham ◽  
Todd E. Gillis ◽  
Daniel E. Warren
Keyword(s):  
Protein Expression ◽  
Cold Acclimation ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Heart Function ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Chrysemys Picta ◽  
Anoxia Tolerance ◽  
Painted Turtles ◽  
Chrysemys Picta Bellii ◽  
Induced Changes

AbstractWestern painted turtles (Chrysemys picta bellii) are the most anoxia-tolerant tetrapod. Survival time improves at low temperature and during ontogeny, such that adults acclimated to 3°C survive far longer without oxygen than either warm-acclimated adults or cold-acclimated hatchlings. Since protein synthesis is rapidly suppressed to save energy at the onset of anoxia exposure, this study tested the hypothesis that cold-acclimation would evoke preparatory changes in protein expression that would support enhanced anoxia survival in adult but not hatchling turtles. To test this, adult and hatchling turtles were acclimated to either 20°C (warm) or 3°C (cold) for 5 weeks, and then the heart ventricles were collected for quantitative proteomic analysis using labeled isobaric tags and mass spectrometry. The relative abundances of 1316 identified proteins were compared between temperatures and developmental stages. The effect of cold-acclimation on the cardiac proteome was most evident when life stage was included as a covariable, suggesting that ontogenic differences in anoxia tolerance may be predicated on successful maturation of the heart from its hatchling to adult form and, only after this maturation occurs, will cold-acclimation induce protein expression changes appropriate for supporting heart function during prolonged anoxia. The main differences between the hatchling and adult cardiac proteomes reflect an increase in metabolic scope that included more myoglobin and increased investment in both aerobic and anaerobic energy pathways. Mitochondrial structure and function were key targets of life stage- and temperature-induced changes to the cardiac proteome, including reduced complex II proteins in cold-acclimated adults that may help down-regulate the electron transport system and avoid succinate accumulation during anoxia. Therefore, targeted cold-induced changes to the cardiac proteome may be a contributing mechanism for stagespecific anoxia tolerance in turtles.

Demography, growth, and food of western painted turtles, Chrysemys picta bellii (Gray), from southern Saskatchewan

1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (7) ◽  
pp. 1499-1509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross D. MacCulloch ◽  
D. M. Secoy
Keyword(s):  
Clutch Size ◽  
North American ◽  
Rapid Growth ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Chrysemys Picta ◽  
Turtle Species ◽  
Painted Turtles ◽  
Chrysemys Picta Bellii ◽  
Northern Portion

Western painted turtles from populations in the northern portion of their range attained greater sizes, had more rapid growth despite a shorter growing season, and appeared to mature at a larger size than turtles from farther south. Mean clutch size was 19.8, with no evidence of production of two clutches. Examination of stomach contents showed that the turtles were mainly carnivorous, even in areas of abundant vegetation. The carnivorous diet may account for the large sizes, large clutches, and rapid growth of the turtles and may permit C. picta to maintain populations farther north than other North American turtle species.

Long-term submergence at 3 degrees C of the turtle Chrysemys picta bellii in normoxic and severely hypoxic water. III. Effects of changes in ambient PO2 and subsequent air breathing

1982 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. R. Ultsch ◽  
D. C. Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Acidosis ◽  
Chrysemys Picta ◽  
Painted Turtles ◽  
Arterial Blood ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
Animal Remains ◽  
Chrysemys Picta Bellii ◽  
Oxygenated Water ◽  
Hypoxic Water ◽  
Anoxic Environment

Western Painted Turtles, Chrysemys picta bellii (N = 5), were maintained submerged and apneic for 90 days: days 0–21 in severely hypoxic water (PO2 = 0-5 mmHg), days 22-43 in aerated water (PO2 approximately 160 mmHg), and days 44-90 again in hypoxic water. From day 90 onward, the water was aerated and the turtles were allowed access to the air; water and air temperatures were maintained at 3 degrees C. Arterial blood samples were taken periodically and analysed for PO2, PCO2, pH, [Na+], [K+] [Cl-], [lactate-], [glucose] and haematocrit. Plasma [HCO3-] was calculated for all samples and total plasma calcium was measured on samples from two animals. Each exposure to low PO2 water caused progressive lactic acidosis and a transient respiratory acidosis with an accompanying fall in plasma [Cl-] and rise in plasma [K+] and [calcium]. During the intervening period in aerated water, blood pH recovered significantly (from 7.33 to 7.74 in 7 days), due primarily to a fall in PCO2 (from 23.5 to 10.6 mmHg), while [lactate-] remained unchanged (at about 50 mM), and [HCO-3] rose slightly. Plasma [K+] promptly returned to nearly normal values. When permitted to breathe on day 90, the three surviving turtles rapidly restored pH to normal by pronounced hyperventilation (PCO2 less than 5 mmHg). Metabolic acidosis, however, disappeared slowly with a t1/2 for [lactate-] and [HCO-3] restoration of about 2 weeks. We conclude that a wintering turtle can stabilize or even slightly improve its acid-base and ionic status by moving from an anoxic environment to well-oxygenated water. Further improvements can be gained by breathing air, but recovery proceeds at a very slow rate if the animal remains at 3 degrees C.

scholarly journals Spatial ecology and multi-scale habitat selection by Western Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta bellii) in an urban area

2019 ◽  
Vol 132 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-119
Author(s):  
Kelsey A. Marchand ◽  
Christopher M. Somers ◽  
Ray G. Poulin
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Chrysemys Picta ◽  
Urban Park ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Active Season ◽  
Painted Turtles ◽  
Large Trees ◽  
Chrysemys Picta Bellii

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.

scholarly journals Cold-acclimation induces life stage-specific responses in the cardiac proteome of Western painted turtles (Chrysemys picta bellii): implications for anoxia tolerance

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah L. Alderman ◽  
Claire L. Riggs ◽  
Oliver M.N. Bullingham ◽  
Todd E. Gillis ◽  
Daniel E. Warren
Keyword(s):  
Cold Acclimation ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Chrysemys Picta ◽  
Anoxia Tolerance ◽  
Painted Turtles ◽  
Chrysemys Picta Bellii ◽  
Save Energy ◽  
And Function ◽  
Induced Changes

Western painted turtles (Chrysemys picta bellii) are the most anoxia-tolerant tetrapod. Survival time improves at low temperature and during ontogeny, such that adults acclimated to 3oC survive far longer without oxygen than either warm-acclimated adults or cold-acclimated hatchlings. Since protein synthesis is rapidly suppressed to save energy at the onset of anoxia exposure, this study tested the hypothesis that cold-acclimation would evoke preparatory changes in protein expression to support enhanced anoxia survival in adult but not hatchling turtles. To test this, adult and hatchling turtles were acclimated to either 20oC (warm) or 3oC (cold) for 5 weeks, and then the heart ventricles were collected for quantitative proteomic analysis. The relative abundances of 1316 identified proteins were compared between temperatures and developmental stages. The effect of cold-acclimation on the cardiac proteome was only evident in the context of an interaction with life stage, suggesting that ontogenic differences in anoxia tolerance may be predicated on successful maturation of the heart. The main differences between the hatchling and adult cardiac proteomes reflect an increase in metabolic scope with age that included more myoglobin and increased investment in both aerobic and anaerobic energy pathways. Mitochondrial structure and function were key targets of the life stage- and temperature-induced changes to the cardiac proteome, including reduced complex II proteins in cold-acclimated adults that may help down-regulate the electron transport system and avoid succinate accumulation during anoxia. Therefore, targeted cold-induced changes to the cardiac proteome may be a contributing mechanism for stage-specific anoxia tolerance in turtles.

Cold-Tolerance of Hatchling Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta bellii) from the Southern Limit of Distribution

2002 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 300-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary C. Packard ◽  
Mary J. Packard ◽  
Carrie L. Morjan ◽  
Fredric J. Janzen
Keyword(s):  
Cold Tolerance ◽  
Chrysemys Picta ◽  
Southern Limit ◽  
Painted Turtles ◽  
Chrysemys Picta Bellii
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