Variation in Age and Size at Maturity of the Slider Turtle (Pseudemys scripta)

Gibbons, J. Whitfield; Semlitsch, Raymond D.; Greene, Judith L.; Schubauer, Joseph P.

doi:10.1086/283774

Cited by 125 publications

(61 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…At the time of capture any unmarked individuals were uniquely marked, and plastron length measured to the nearest 0.1mm. We used plastron length as a proxy for age because red-eared sliders are indeterminate growers, thus body size should increase over their lifetime (Wilbur, 1975;Gibbons et al, 1981). No individual was used in more than one collection period.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variation in the seasonal patterns of innate and adaptive immunity in the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta)

Zimmerman

Paitz

Vogel

et al. 2010

Journal of Experimental Biology

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SUMMARYThe primary function of the immune system is to protect the organism from invading pathogens. In vertebrates, this has resulted in a multifaceted system comprised of both innate and adaptive components. The immune system of all jawed vertebrates is complex, but unlike the endothermic vertebrates, relatively little is known about the functioning of the ectothermic vertebrate immune system, especially the reptilian system. Because turtles are long-lived ectotherms, factors such as temperature and age may affect their immune response, but comprehensive studies are lacking. We investigated variation in immune responses of adult male and female red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta) across the entire active season. We characterized seasonal variation in innate, cell-mediated and humoral components via bactericidal capacity of plasma, delayed-type hypersensitivity and total immunoglobulin levels, respectively. Results indicate that all immune measures varied significantly across the active season, but each measure had a different pattern of variation. Interestingly, temperature alone does not explain the observed seasonal variation. Immune measures did not vary between males and females, but immunoglobulin levels did vary with age. This study demonstrates the highly dynamic nature of the reptilian immune system, and provides information on how biotic and abiotic factors influence the immune system of a long-lived ectotherm.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variation in the seasonal patterns of innate and adaptive immunity in the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta)

Zimmerman

Paitz

Vogel

et al. 2010

Journal of Experimental Biology

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“…One should be cautious when including chronology as a fixed factor correlated to growth since growth patterns in turtles are extremely perplexing. Temperature during and after embryonic development has both direct and indirect effects on growth in turtles (Williamson et al 1989;Rhen and Lang 1999), and other ecological factors such as food availability and quality are key elements in controlling growth (Cagle 1946;Gibbons et al 1981). In general, however, when animals are kept under suitable conditions, the known growth spurt pattern in juvenile turtles (Cagle 1946;Sarnat et al 1981;Limpus and Chaloupka 1997) can be correlated to the number of HCs and the area of the UM, since the area and number of HCs increase from 0.33 mm 2 and~4000 in prehatchlings to 0.5-0.65 mm 2 and~5000-6000 in juveniles.…”

Section: Growth Of the Ummentioning

confidence: 99%

Structure and Growth of the Utricular Macula in the Inner Ear of the Slider Turtle Trachemys scripta

Severinsen

Jørgensen²,

Nyengaard

2003

JARO - Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngolog

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In general, postembryonic production of inner ear vestibular hair cells (HCs) is believed to occur in all nonmammalian vertebrates. However, no study on this topic has been published on reptiles and, consequently, it is not known whether this also applies to these vertebrates. Therefore, the present study applied stereological methods in order to estimate the total number of HCs in turtles of varying sizes. The findings are that in prehatchlings the utricular macula (UM) contains~4000 HCs as compared to~5000 in juveniles,~8000 in medium-sized turtles, and 12,000 in large, sexually mature turtles. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveals that presumably newly generated HCs with small surface areas and thin stereovilli are found in all regions of the UM. Furthermore, it reveals that utricular HCs can be classified as belonging to a specific region from the morphology of their apical structure. Striolar HCs have a large free oval-to-ovoid surface, a hair bundle with numerous stereovilli, and a short kinocilium. Rampary and cotillary HCs have smaller and slimmer free surfaces, comparatively fewer stereovilli, but much longer kinocilia. In conclusion, the current study demonstrates that postembryonic production of HCs does occur in reptiles and thereby supports the general view that this is a common trait in all nonmammalian vertebrates.

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“…Unlike 13'Cs and 60Co with long physical half-lives of 30 and 5 years, respectively, 75Se has a half-life of only 120 days. males between three to five years (Gibbons et al 1981). Females reach sexual maturity at a fixed age, whereas males reach maturity primarily at a fixed size (Gibbons et al 1981).…”

Section: Polychlorinated Biphenyls In Turtle Fatmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…males between three to five years (Gibbons et al 1981). Females reach sexual maturity at a fixed age, whereas males reach maturity primarily at a fixed size (Gibbons et al 1981). Adults follow a Type II survivorship curve with maximum longevity in the wild estimated at 30 years (Gibbons and Semlitsch 1982).…”

Section: Polychlorinated Biphenyls In Turtle Fatmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of Two Freshwater Turtle Species as Monitors of Environmental Contamination

Meyers-Schöne¹

1990

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Variation in Age and Size at Maturity of the Slider Turtle (Pseudemys scripta)

Cited by 125 publications

References 7 publications

Variation in the seasonal patterns of innate and adaptive immunity in the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta)

Variation in the seasonal patterns of innate and adaptive immunity in the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta)

Structure and Growth of the Utricular Macula in the Inner Ear of the Slider Turtle Trachemys scripta

Comparison of Two Freshwater Turtle Species as Monitors of Environmental Contamination

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