Anaerobic metabolism during dispersal of green and loggerhead turtle hatchlings

Swimming through sand: using accelerometers to observe the cryptic, pre-emergence life-stage of sea turtle hatchlings

“…However, despite the high frequency of short intervals, the greatest proportion of time spent inactive was within intervals of 10 min-1 h. Based on anecdotal observations [12], we expected regular, extended IPIs that allow clearing blood lactate that accumulates during high-intensity anaerobic activity to replenish their oxygen debt. This temporal pattern of digging is supported by previous observations of high blood lactate levels in hatchlings actively digging out of the nest, yet low blood lactate found in hatchlings at rest in the egg chamber or just below the surface [3]. In contrast, periodic spikes in oxygen consumption have been observed in laboratory experiments of digging hatchlings [13], indicating aerobic metabolism is employed to some extent.…”

Swimming through sand: using accelerometers to observe the cryptic, pre-emergence life-stage of sea turtle hatchlings

“…However, despite the high frequency of short intervals, the greatest proportion of time spent inactive was within intervals of 10 min-1 h. Based on anecdotal observations [12], we expected regular, extended IPIs that allow clearing blood lactate that accumulates during high-intensity anaerobic activity to replenish their oxygen debt. This temporal pattern of digging is supported by previous observations of high blood lactate levels in hatchlings actively digging out of the nest, yet low blood lactate found in hatchlings at rest in the egg chamber or just below the surface [3]. In contrast, periodic spikes in oxygen consumption have been observed in laboratory experiments of digging hatchlings [13], indicating aerobic metabolism is employed to some extent.…”

Blood concentrations of lactate, glucose and corticosterone in dispersing hatchling sea turtles

“…In summary the current study and previous studies (Dial, 1987; Baldwin et al, 1989; Hamann et al, 2007) indicate anaerobic metabolism is used extensively during the beach crawl and at least the beginning of the frenzy swim during natal dispersal of sea turtle hatchlings. The additional use of anaerobic metabolism allows hatchlings to maximize their physical activity and thus minimises the time they spend on the beach and in the shallow near-shore waters where predators are in their highest concentration.…”

“…Although all studies indicate anaerobic metabolism plays an important role during this period, results differ between studies due to differences in methodology and species. Dial and the current study found lactate to be highest after the beach crawl (Dial, 1987), while Baldwin et al found lactate continued to accumulate in blood when hatchlings swam across the reef flat (Baldwin et al, 1989). Baldwin et al reported a fall in blood lactate in hatchlings swum in an aquarium because they power-stroked only briefly and remained mostly on the surface with the head above the water, and for loggerhead turtles blood lactate concentration was just 1.7 mmol/L after 15 minutes of ‘swimming’ in the aquarium (Baldwin et al, 1989).…”

“…Dial and the current study found lactate to be highest after the beach crawl (Dial, 1987), while Baldwin et al found lactate continued to accumulate in blood when hatchlings swam across the reef flat (Baldwin et al, 1989). Baldwin et al reported a fall in blood lactate in hatchlings swum in an aquarium because they power-stroked only briefly and remained mostly on the surface with the head above the water, and for loggerhead turtles blood lactate concentration was just 1.7 mmol/L after 15 minutes of ‘swimming’ in the aquarium (Baldwin et al, 1989). In the current study, however, hatchlings swam almost continuously as they were tethered and could not touch the sides or bottom of the swimming container and loggerhead hatchling blood lactate concentration was four times greater averaging 6.9 mmol/L after 15 minutes of swimming.…”

“…In both species, anaerobic metabolism decreased with time but the use of anaerobic metabolism persisted for longer in flatback turtle hatchlings than in loggerhead hatchlings. Dial (loggerhead turtles), Baldwin et al (loggerhead and green turtles) and Hamann et al (green turtles) have reported lactate concentrations at different times during the beach crawl and early stages of the frenzy swim in hatchling sea turtles (Dial, 1987; Baldwin et al, 1989; Hamann et al, 2007). Although all studies indicate anaerobic metabolism plays an important role during this period, results differ between studies due to differences in methodology and species.…”

Swimming through sand: using accelerometers to observe the cryptic, pre-emergence life-stage of sea turtle hatchlings

“…However, despite the high frequency of short intervals, the greatest proportion of time spent inactive was within intervals of 10 min-1 h. Based on anecdotal observations [12], we expected regular, extended IPIs that allow clearing blood lactate that accumulates during high-intensity anaerobic activity to replenish their oxygen debt. This temporal pattern of digging is supported by previous observations of high blood lactate levels in hatchlings actively digging out of the nest, yet low blood lactate found in hatchlings at rest in the egg chamber or just below the surface [3]. In contrast, periodic spikes in oxygen consumption have been observed in laboratory experiments of digging hatchlings [13], indicating aerobic metabolism is employed to some extent.…”

Blood concentrations of lactate, glucose and corticosterone in dispersing hatchling sea turtles

“…In summary the current study and previous studies (Dial, 1987; Baldwin et al, 1989; Hamann et al, 2007) indicate anaerobic metabolism is used extensively during the beach crawl and at least the beginning of the frenzy swim during natal dispersal of sea turtle hatchlings. The additional use of anaerobic metabolism allows hatchlings to maximize their physical activity and thus minimises the time they spend on the beach and in the shallow near-shore waters where predators are in their highest concentration.…”

“…Although all studies indicate anaerobic metabolism plays an important role during this period, results differ between studies due to differences in methodology and species. Dial and the current study found lactate to be highest after the beach crawl (Dial, 1987), while Baldwin et al found lactate continued to accumulate in blood when hatchlings swam across the reef flat (Baldwin et al, 1989). Baldwin et al reported a fall in blood lactate in hatchlings swum in an aquarium because they power-stroked only briefly and remained mostly on the surface with the head above the water, and for loggerhead turtles blood lactate concentration was just 1.7 mmol/L after 15 minutes of ‘swimming’ in the aquarium (Baldwin et al, 1989).…”

“…Dial and the current study found lactate to be highest after the beach crawl (Dial, 1987), while Baldwin et al found lactate continued to accumulate in blood when hatchlings swam across the reef flat (Baldwin et al, 1989). Baldwin et al reported a fall in blood lactate in hatchlings swum in an aquarium because they power-stroked only briefly and remained mostly on the surface with the head above the water, and for loggerhead turtles blood lactate concentration was just 1.7 mmol/L after 15 minutes of ‘swimming’ in the aquarium (Baldwin et al, 1989). In the current study, however, hatchlings swam almost continuously as they were tethered and could not touch the sides or bottom of the swimming container and loggerhead hatchling blood lactate concentration was four times greater averaging 6.9 mmol/L after 15 minutes of swimming.…”

“…In both species, anaerobic metabolism decreased with time but the use of anaerobic metabolism persisted for longer in flatback turtle hatchlings than in loggerhead hatchlings. Dial (loggerhead turtles), Baldwin et al (loggerhead and green turtles) and Hamann et al (green turtles) have reported lactate concentrations at different times during the beach crawl and early stages of the frenzy swim in hatchling sea turtles (Dial, 1987; Baldwin et al, 1989; Hamann et al, 2007). Although all studies indicate anaerobic metabolism plays an important role during this period, results differ between studies due to differences in methodology and species.…”

Swimming through sand: using accelerometers to observe the cryptic, pre-emergence life-stage of sea turtle hatchlings

“…However, despite the high frequency of short intervals, the greatest proportion of time spent inactive was within intervals of 10 min-1 h. Based on anecdotal observations [12], we expected regular, extended IPIs that allow clearing blood lactate that accumulates during high-intensity anaerobic activity to replenish their oxygen debt. This temporal pattern of digging is supported by previous observations of high blood lactate levels in hatchlings actively digging out of the nest, yet low blood lactate found in hatchlings at rest in the egg chamber or just below the surface [3]. In contrast, periodic spikes in oxygen consumption have been observed in laboratory experiments of digging hatchlings [13], indicating aerobic metabolism is employed to some extent.…”

Blood concentrations of lactate, glucose and corticosterone in dispersing hatchling sea turtles

“…In summary the current study and previous studies (Dial, 1987; Baldwin et al, 1989; Hamann et al, 2007) indicate anaerobic metabolism is used extensively during the beach crawl and at least the beginning of the frenzy swim during natal dispersal of sea turtle hatchlings. The additional use of anaerobic metabolism allows hatchlings to maximize their physical activity and thus minimises the time they spend on the beach and in the shallow near-shore waters where predators are in their highest concentration.…”

“…Although all studies indicate anaerobic metabolism plays an important role during this period, results differ between studies due to differences in methodology and species. Dial and the current study found lactate to be highest after the beach crawl (Dial, 1987), while Baldwin et al found lactate continued to accumulate in blood when hatchlings swam across the reef flat (Baldwin et al, 1989). Baldwin et al reported a fall in blood lactate in hatchlings swum in an aquarium because they power-stroked only briefly and remained mostly on the surface with the head above the water, and for loggerhead turtles blood lactate concentration was just 1.7 mmol/L after 15 minutes of ‘swimming’ in the aquarium (Baldwin et al, 1989).…”

“…Dial and the current study found lactate to be highest after the beach crawl (Dial, 1987), while Baldwin et al found lactate continued to accumulate in blood when hatchlings swam across the reef flat (Baldwin et al, 1989). Baldwin et al reported a fall in blood lactate in hatchlings swum in an aquarium because they power-stroked only briefly and remained mostly on the surface with the head above the water, and for loggerhead turtles blood lactate concentration was just 1.7 mmol/L after 15 minutes of ‘swimming’ in the aquarium (Baldwin et al, 1989). In the current study, however, hatchlings swam almost continuously as they were tethered and could not touch the sides or bottom of the swimming container and loggerhead hatchling blood lactate concentration was four times greater averaging 6.9 mmol/L after 15 minutes of swimming.…”

“…In both species, anaerobic metabolism decreased with time but the use of anaerobic metabolism persisted for longer in flatback turtle hatchlings than in loggerhead hatchlings. Dial (loggerhead turtles), Baldwin et al (loggerhead and green turtles) and Hamann et al (green turtles) have reported lactate concentrations at different times during the beach crawl and early stages of the frenzy swim in hatchling sea turtles (Dial, 1987; Baldwin et al, 1989; Hamann et al, 2007). Although all studies indicate anaerobic metabolism plays an important role during this period, results differ between studies due to differences in methodology and species.…”