Ym. Hua et Zx. Wang, THE PATTERN AND INFLUENTIAL FACTORS OF AQUATIC PHARYNGEAL MOVEMENTS OF TRIONYX-SINENSIS, Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part A, Physiology, 106(3), 1993, pp. 463-470
1. The pharyngeal movements of Trionyx sinensis during submersion wher
e recorded with physiological instruments. 2. Anoxia or hypercapnia ca
used a marked increase in breathing rate of tested turtles during volu
ntary diving, and in anoxia there was a significant increase in the fr
equency of aquatic pharyngeal movements while hypercapnia had a slight
or no effect on the frequency of these movements. 3. During voluntary
diving when turtles could easily extend their heads out of water to b
reathe air, the frequency of rhythmic pharyngeal movements was lower;
but during forced submersion, the frequency was higher and the movemen
ts were continuous. 4. The frequency increased more rapidly and greatl
y when turtles were in forced submersion than when they dived freely a
nd could easily surface to breathe in N2. 5. The frequency of pharynge
al movements of T. sinensis during diving in an aquarium with water de
pth of 30 or 45 cm was markedly higher than that at a water depth of 1
5 cm. Disturbing stimuli also influenced the aquatic rhythmic pharynge
al movements of T. sinensis.