Reproductive cycles of alligator snapping turtles (Macrochelys temminckii).

Autor: Thompson DM; Department of Biology, Missouri State University, 901 S. National Ave., Springfield, MO 65897, USA; Department of Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University, 501 Life Sciences West, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA. Electronic address: DeniseThompson@missouristate.edu., Ligon DB; Department of Biology, Missouri State University, 901 S. National Ave., Springfield, MO 65897, USA., Edmond BS; Computer Services, Missouri State University, 901 S. National Ave., Springfield, MO 65897, USA., Jane Spangler S; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Klamath Falls Fish and Wildlife Office, 1936 California Ave., Klamath Falls, OR 97601, USA; Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery, 5501 W. Hwy 7, Tishomingo, OK 73460, USA., Fillmore BM; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oklahoma Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, 5700 W. Hwy 7, Tishomingo, OK, 73460, USA; Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery, 5501 W. Hwy 7, Tishomingo, OK 73460, USA., Graves KG; Tishomingo National Fish Hatchery, 5501 W. Hwy 7, Tishomingo, OK 73460, USA., Lovern M; Department of Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University, 501 Life Sciences West, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: General and comparative endocrinology [Gen Comp Endocrinol] 2023 Sep 15; Vol. 341, pp. 114310. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 May 25.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2023.114310
Abstrakt: The alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) is a species for which captive propagation and reintroduction programs are well established; however, little is known about its reproductive behavior and physiology. In this study, we measured monthly plasma sex steroid hormone concentrations of androgen (T + DHT) estradiol-17B (E2), and progesterone (P4), and used ultrasonography to monitor annual reproductive cycles of a captive population of alligator snapping turtles that is maintained under semi-natural conditions in southeastern Oklahoma. Concurrently, we used automated radio telemetry to measure the relative activity levels of male and female alligator snapping turtles and examine these activity patterns in the context of their reproductive cycles. We also measured monthly concentrations of the glucocorticoid (GC) corticosterone (CORT). Seasonal variation was only detected for T in males, but was observed for T, E2, and P4 in females. Vitellogenesis began in August and ended in April and coincided with elevated E2. Ovulation took place 10-29 April and the nesting period lasted from 11 May - 3 June. Males exhibited greater relative activity levels than females in the fall, winter, and early spring, which coincided with the period when mature sperm would be available for mating. Females were more active than males during the peri-nesting period in the spring. Seasonal changes in CORT were detected and did not differ between males and females. CORT concentrations were elevated in the late spring and summer, coincident with the foraging season, and depressed in the fall, and winter, and at their nadir in the early spring.
Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
(Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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