Growth and oxygen consumption in embryonic and early postembryonic development of European pond turtle Emys orbicularis (Reptilia: Emydidae)

Abstract

Experiments on developing eggs of European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) demonstrated S-shaped changes in the rate of oxygen consumption and body weight during embryonic development. The rate of oxygen consumption and weight progressively increased within 70 days after hatching. During embryogenesis, the rate of oxygen consumption decreased. After hatching, it increased but then decreased to a certain level, which remained constant to the end of the studied period. We observed unidirectional changes in oxygen consumption rate during embryonic period and this pattern was maintained after hatching as well. The coefficients of the allometric relationship between oxygen consumption and body weight were a = 0.33 and k = 0.52 during the embryonic period and a = 0.17 and k = 0.89 during the postembryonic period.