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Amy Pikovsky 2004-05

Preferred Temperature, Metabolic Rate, and Circadian Rhythms of Snapping Turtles ( Chelydra serpentina ). Amy Pikovsky 2004-05. Introduction. My goals were to find: -Preferred temperature -Metabolic rate -Circadian rhythms -Correlations between the three variables. Background.

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Amy Pikovsky 2004-05

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  1. Preferred Temperature, Metabolic Rate, and Circadian Rhythms of Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina) Amy Pikovsky 2004-05

  2. Introduction • My goals were to find: -Preferred temperature -Metabolic rate -Circadian rhythms -Correlations between the three variables

  3. Background • Snapping turtles are ectotherms • Ectotherms’ body temperatures are the same as environmental temperatures

  4. Importance • Information about the effect of temperature on snapping turtles can be applied to all ectotherms. • Snapping turtles are common, studies can then be applied to less common species • Little research has been done about the interrelatedness of preferred temperature, metabolic rate, and circadian rhythms.

  5. Previous Studies • L.U. Williamson, et al. researched body temperature affects on metabolic rate in 1989 • K.B. and J.M. Storey researched the affect of very low temperatures on the metabolic rates of ectotherms in 1984 • A. Cortes et al. studied metabolic rates in diurnal and nocturnal ectotherms in 1994

  6. Hypotheses • Turtles will prefer higher temperatures with the lights on than with the lights off. • Turtles’ metabolic rates will be higher at warm temperatures and lower at cold temperatures. • Turtles’ metabolic rates will be higher with the lights on than with the lights off.

  7. Materials the temperature gradient picture taken by author

  8. Methods: Preferred Temperature • Initially, used T.V. and V.C.R. to find turtles’ positions • Wrote LabView program to record positions in the gradient more easily • Found corresponding temperatures • Used two procedures: • 24 hour test in constant light • 48 hour test in constant light

  9. Methods: Metabolic Rate • Set lights in the incubator to 14L:10D cycle • Placed turtles in separate containers in incubator • Measured CO2 production • Used Sable software to convert CO2 data into metabolic rate data

  10. Methods: Circadian Rhythms • Set lights in the gradient room to 14L:10D cycle • Graphed temperature data • Looked for patterns

  11. Results: Preferred Temperature Descriptive statistics

  12. Results: Metabolic Rate

  13. Results: Circadian Rhythms

  14. Conclusions: Preferred Temperature • Preferred temperatures were moderate (around 20 ºC) whether the lights were on or off

  15. Conclusions: Metabolic Rate • Metabolic rate and temperature were directly related: higher temperatures cause higher metabolic rates

  16. Conclusions: Circadian Rhythms • Some circadian patterns were evident: turtles moved more when the lights were on but the presence or absence of light did not affect temperature choice

  17. Future Studies • Research continues at the University of St. Thomas on:

  18. Future Studies • Research continues at the University of St. Thomas on: • Circadian rhythms of ectotherms

  19. Future Studies • Research continues at the University of St. Thomas on: • Circadian rhythms of ectotherms • Preferred temperature in the field

  20. Significance • Body temperature is very important to ectotherms • Snapping turtles are common • Changes in weather and temperature

  21. Acknowledgements • Dr. Steyermark • Dr. Nelson • Anthony Giang • Students from Dr. Steyermark’s laboratory • Ms. Fruen • The research class

  22. Preferred Temperature, Metabolic Rate, and Circadian Rhythms of Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina) Amy Pikovsky 2004-05

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