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Physiological changes in post-hatchling green turtles (Chelonia mydas) following short-term fasting: implications for release protocols
Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open
Journal article
Physiological changes in post-hatchling green turtles (Chelonia mydas) following short-term fasting: implications for release protocols
Conservation Physiology, Vol.7(1), coz016
2019
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Abstract
Relocation of sea turtle nests and the retention of post-hatchlings for head-starting programs are both commonly used to improve conservation outcomes and facilitate eco-tourism ventures. Currently, there is little literature surrounding the husbandry protocols required during these programs to optimize post-release outcomes. To assess the impact of varied feeding regimes on exercise performance, (which will hereafter be referred to as ‘fitness’), 40 10-month-old captive posthatchling green turtles (Chelonia mydas) were divided into four groups of 10 and fasted for either 3, 9, 10 or 15 h. The animals were then subjected to a fitness test via repetitive use of the ‘righting reflex’ on land. Health assessments were conducted prior to the fitness test, including; heart rate, haematocrit (Hct), heterophil to lymphocyte ratio and the measurement of 11 biochemical analytes, including pH, partial pressures of carbon dioxide (PvCO2) and oxygen (PvO2), lactate, bicarbonate (HCO3 −), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), chloride (Cl−), ionized calcium (iCa2+), glucose and urea. Results were corrected for multiple comparisons and significant differences among groups were demonstrated for temperature, pH, HCO3 −, iCa2+, urea and lactate. To investigate physiological relationships between analytes, correlation coefficients were calculated between fitness and glucose, fitness and lactate, glucose and lactate, pH and iCa2+, pH and K+, pH and PvCO2, pH and HCO3 − and Hct and K+. Following correction for multiple comparisons, significant relationships were seen between pH and iCa2+ and pH and HCO3 −. Post-hatchling turtles appear to enter a catabolic state when exposed to short-term fasting. While this did not have a direct impact on fitness, the production of an intense energetic output from a catabolic state may induce a physiological debt. This study suggests that handling that induces a physical response should be minimized and animals should be fed within 10 h of release.
Details
- Title
- Physiological changes in post-hatchling green turtles (Chelonia mydas) following short-term fasting: implications for release protocols
- Creators
- Duane T March - Southern Cross University, AustraliaEllen Ariel - James Cook University, AustraliaSuzy Munns - James Cook University, AustraliaDonna Rudd - James Cook University, AustraliaDavid Blyde - Sea World, AustraliaLeslie Christidis - Southern Cross University, AustraliaBrendan P Kelaher - Southern Cross University, Australia
- Publication Details
- Conservation Physiology, Vol.7(1), coz016
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Identifiers
- 4716; 991012821934702368
- Copyright
- This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering; National Marine Science Centre; Office of the Vice Chancellor; School of Environment, Science and Engineering; Office of Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article