Turtle Embryos by EloraM23 2011/12/02 14:33
Turtle embryos tune into each others' heartbeats so they are able to hatch at roughly the same time.
Turtle embryos tune into each others' heartbeats so they are able to hatch at roughly the same time.
life-
EloraM23 2011/12/02 14:39
Cool embryos
What is being found is that the ones at the bottom of the nest maybe have the capability of shortening their incubation period.
The Australian researchers collected a clutch of eggs from the banks of the Murray River near Albury to carry out controlled experiments in the laboratory.
They incubated half at 30C and half at 26C for about a week and found that the more developed "warm" embryos had a higher metabolism and heart rate than the "cool" embryos.
Cool embryos
What is being found is that the ones at the bottom of the nest maybe have the capability of shortening their incubation period.
The Australian researchers collected a clutch of eggs from the banks of the Murray River near Albury to carry out controlled experiments in the laboratory.
They incubated half at 30C and half at 26C for about a week and found that the more developed "warm" embryos had a higher metabolism and heart rate than the "cool" embryos.
EloraM23 2011/12/02 14:41
The Australian researchers mixed the two groups of eggs and found that during the last third of the incubation period, the "cool" embryos in the mixed group sped up their heart rate and metabolism (compared to a control group of cool eggs).
They increased their developmental rate essentially independent of temperature ... that allowed them to hatch earlier.
The "cool" embryos were able to hatch two days earlier than the controls and within a couple of days of the warm advanced embryos.
The Australian researchers mixed the two groups of eggs and found that during the last third of the incubation period, the "cool" embryos in the mixed group sped up their heart rate and metabolism (compared to a control group of cool eggs).
They increased their developmental rate essentially independent of temperature ... that allowed them to hatch earlier.
The "cool" embryos were able to hatch two days earlier than the controls and within a couple of days of the warm advanced embryos.
EloraM23 2011/12/02 14:42
The next stage of the research is exploring how the embryos are tuning into each others' rate of development in the nest.
The higher levels of CO2 from the more advanced embryos may be signalling it's time for the less developed embryos to speed up their development.
It's also possible that the embryos are tuning into audible cues or vibrations from heart beats.
The next stage of the research is exploring how the embryos are tuning into each others' rate of development in the nest.
The higher levels of CO2 from the more advanced embryos may be signalling it's time for the less developed embryos to speed up their development.
It's also possible that the embryos are tuning into audible cues or vibrations from heart beats.
EloraM23 2011/12/02 14:34
Australian freshwater turtles bury their eggs on riverbanks where they incubate for 50 to 70 days before hatching.
When the young turtles hatch their mother is long gone and they must fend for themselves.
First they must dig themselves out of the hole they are buried in and get to the river without being eaten by predators.
To make life a little easier - and safer - the turtles synchronise their hatching so they emerge from the nest as a group.
Australian freshwater turtles bury their eggs on riverbanks where they incubate for 50 to 70 days before hatching.
When the young turtles hatch their mother is long gone and they must fend for themselves.
First they must dig themselves out of the hole they are buried in and get to the river without being eaten by predators.
To make life a little easier - and safer - the turtles synchronise their hatching so they emerge from the nest as a group.
EloraM23 2011/12/02 14:35
This means there can be a group effort to dig out of the nest. Being in a group also reduces the chance of any individual being eaten by a predator.
"It's a safety in numbers thing."
But, there is a puzzle here - because being reptiles, temperature is a major driver of development of turtles.
Eggs at the top of the nest can be up to about six degrees warmer than those at the bottom, due to the warmth of the Sun.
This means those embryos on top develop faster than those on the bottom, so how do they manage to synchronise their hatching?
This means there can be a group effort to dig out of the nest. Being in a group also reduces the chance of any individual being eaten by a predator.
"It's a safety in numbers thing."
But, there is a puzzle here - because being reptiles, temperature is a major driver of development of turtles.
Eggs at the top of the nest can be up to about six degrees warmer than those at the bottom, due to the warmth of the Sun.
This means those embryos on top develop faster than those on the bottom, so how do they manage to synchronise their hatching?
What a wonder.
#77 Factual Zone
A forum for article style topics. Share your knowledge of nature, history, science & anything factual.
A forum for article style topics. Share your knowledge of nature, history, science & anything factual.