T. Rhen et Jw. Lang, Temperature during embryonic and juvenile development influences growth inhatchling snapping turtles, Chelydra serpentina, J THERM BIO, 24(1), 1999, pp. 33-41
Embryonic temperature influenced subsequent growth in juvenile snapping tur
tles, Chelydra serpentina: incubation temperatures of 24 and 26.5 degrees C
enhanced growth relative to a temperature of 29 degrees C. Although embryo
nic temperature normally determines gonadal sex in this species, experiment
al manipulations revealed that temperature effects on growth were independe
nt of sex. Ambient temperature also affected growth: juvenile turtles grew
slowly in a cool (19 degrees C) versus a warm (28 degrees C) environment. T
n a parallel experiment, turtles from different embryonic temperatures disp
layed different patterns of temperature choice in response to nutritional s
tatus or time of day. We tentatively conclude that embryonic temperature ha
s both direct and indirect (i.e., through temperature choice) effects on gr
owth in snapping turtles. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserve
d.