Journal of Comparative Physiology B

, Volume 177, Issue 7, pp 779–786 | Cite as

Respiratory properties of blood in flatback turtles (Natator depressus)

  • Jannie B. Sperling
  • Gordon C. Grigg
  • Lyn A. Beard
  • Colin J. Limpus
Original Paper
First Online:
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:

Abstract

Oxygen equilibrium curves and other respiratory-related variables were determined on blood from the flatback turtle (Natator depressus) and, for comparison, on some samples from the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta). The oxygen carrying capacity of the flatback turtle, 4.9–8.7 mmol l−1 (n = 49), is at the high end of the range in diving reptiles. Oxygen affinity (P50) was similar in both species at 5% CO2, ranging from 37 to 55 mmHg (43 mmHg ± 5.3 SD, n = 24, 25°C, pH 7.17) in flatbacks and 43–49 mmHg in loggerheads (46 mmHg ± 2.0 SD, n = 7, 25°C, pH 7.13), whereas at 2% CO2, flatbacks had a higher oxygen affinity. The curves differed in sigmoidicity, with Hill n coefficients of 2.8 and 1.9 in flatbacks and loggerheads, respectively. The Bohr effect was small in both the species, consistent with results from other sea turtles. Lactate levels were high, perhaps because the samples were taken from turtles coming ashore to lay eggs. Flatbacks are rarely found in waters deeper than 45 m. It is suggested that they have a respiratory physiology particularly suited to sustain prolonged shallow dives.

Keywords

Sea turtles Diving physiology Bohr effect Oxygen equilibrium curve Oxygen carrying capacity 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

This study was made possible with the financial support from the Gladstone Port Authority, Queensland Parks and Wildlife, Sea World Research and Rescue Foundation and the University of Queensland. Special gratitude goes to the staff and numerous volunteers at Mon Repos Conservation Park, to Peter Barrett at Curtis Island, the staff at Queensland Parks and Wildlife in Gladstone, and to the staff at Queensland Medical Laboratory in Gladstone. Assistance with the lactate measurements from Matthew Gordos is greatly appreciated. Experiments complied with current laws of Australia, and were approved by the University of Queensland’s Animal Experimentation and Ethics Committee (approval number ZOO/ENT/247/02/MSc). A Turtle Conservation Volunteer Authorization (File number 215251) was authorized by Dr. C. Limpus, for Executive Director, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 2007

Authors and Affiliations

  • Jannie B. Sperling
    • 1
  • Gordon C. Grigg
    • 1
  • Lyn A. Beard
    • 1
  • Colin J. Limpus
    • 2
  1. 1.School of Integrative BiologyThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneAustralia
  2. 2.Queensland Parks and Wildlife ServiceBrisbaneAustralia

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