STUDIES ON THE OXYGEN CONSUMPTION AND WATER METABOLISM OF TURTLE EMBRYOS

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Abstract
By Warburg manometers the O2 consumption of the developing eggs of 4 spp. of turtles was detd. at intervals throughout the embryonic period. The spp. used were common mud turtle (Kinosternon subrurum subrurum), eastern painted turtle (Chrysemys picta picta), three-toed box turtle (Terrapene Carolina triunguis) and snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina serpentina). The rates of O2 consumption of the eggs of the first 3 agree closely, and can be expressed by a single curve, while those for the snapping turtle egg, are significantly higher. This is attributed to the greater bulk of the snapper embryo. During the first 50 days of development the O2 consumption was nearly doubled every 10 days. From the 50th day to the time of hatching (63rd to 76th day) little increase occurs. Young hatched turtles have about the same rate of O2 consumption as do advanced embryos. The highest values for O2 consumption were obtained from eggs studied while in the process of hatching, which involves muscular activity. The eggs of the. mud turtle showed no significant water intake during development, but the eggs of the other 3 spp. showed water intake, with progressive weight increase. The snapper egg showed an avg. loss, during development, of 0.46 g. of dry substance. Fat was consumed in the amt. of 61 mg./egg. These data, in conjunction with those on O2 consumption, suggest that large amts. of protein are catabolized during the development of this animal.

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