EFFECTS OF LEAD ON BEHAVIOR, GROWTH, AND SURVIVAL OF HATCHLING SLIDERTURTLES

In this study the effects of lead on behavioral development of hatchli ng slider turtles (Trachemys scripta) from the Savannah River Site, ne ar Aiken, SC, were examined. It was of interest to determine whether d ose or size affects survival, growth, or behavior. Hatchlings from 199 5 showed no significant differences in growth, survival, or behavior b etween control and lead-injected animals at a dose of 0.05 and 0.1 mg/ g (n = 10 per group). In 1996, 48 hatchlings were divided into four gr oups injected with 0 (control), 0.25, 1, or 2.5 mg/g lead. Few signifi cant differences occurred in growth or size as a function of lead trea tment at 4 mo of age, but survival declined markedly as a function of lead dose. Righting response was significantly impaired by lead; time to right was directly related to lead dose. Size also affected behavio r; larger hatchlings turned over more quickly and reached cover sooner than did smaller hatchlings.