Abstract
We have studied the physiology of musk turtles (Sternotherus odoratus) from the north-central United States during prolonged submergence (25 d) at 3° C in anoxic and normoxic water, conditions simulating the range of potential respiratory microenvironments during hibernation. We compare the results to earlier studies of musk turtles from central Alabama and to those of northern and southern painted turtles (Chrysemys picta). The acid-base status of anoxic northern musk turtles deteriorated slightly more rapidly than that of southern ones, the fall in plasma pH of southern turtles lagging by about 5 d. The northern turtles exhibited slouwer rates of decline of plasma [Na⁺] and [Cl⁻], indicating a better ability to maintain ion balance. The two effects seemed to be counterbalancing in that there was no difference in survival times in anoxic water between the two groups, although survival in normoxic water can reach at least 150 d in both. There was no physiological cline in survival during prolonged cold an...
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