Effects of hydric conditions during incubation on overwintering hatchlingsof the red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans)

We investigated the effects of slightly differing substrate water potential s (-60 versus -100 kPa) experienced by incubating red-eared slider eggs (Tr achemys scripta elegans) on yolk use and carcass mass changes of overwinter ing hatchlings. Hydric conditions experienced by the incubating eggs had no significant effect on yolk use or carcass mass changes in the overwintered hatchlings. The neonates' wet residual yolk mass decreased by an average o f 0.67 g during overwintering, whereas wet carcass mass increased by an ave rage of 0.06 g over this same time. These changes were mirrored by similar alterations in dry residual yolk mass and dry carcass mass. Clutch, indepen dent of initial egg mass, explained a significant amount of the variation i n change in both carcass mass and residual yolk mass. A substantial portion of the residual yolk is apparently converted into turtle tissue during ove rwintering, which accounts for the majority of the change in carcass mass d uring this time.