Abstract
Measurement of plasma levels of triglycerides and β-hydroxybutyric acid in females and males of the red-sided garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis) suggest that the former may provide a useful physiological marker of condition. Levels of triglycerides at emergence from hibernation during a month of natural aphagia were significantly greater in females than in males and she-males, a subset of the male population that mimics females. Higher levels of triglycerides in the females may be attributed to their greater body mass per unit length, which was correlated with the level of triglycerides. Plasma triglyceride levels declined in females within one month of emergence, at the onset of feeding, and were unrelated to mating.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Fitch, H. S., Museum of Natural History University of Kansas, Mics. Publ.52 (1970) 1.
Whittier, J. M., and Crews, D., Herpetologica46 (1990) 219.
Derickson, W. K., Am. Zoologist16 (1976) 711.
Joseph, J. D., Ackman, R., and Seaborn, G. Comp. Biochem. Physiol.80B (1985) 15.
Hadley, N. F. and Christie, W. W., Comp. Biochem. Physiol.48B (1974) 275.
Avery, R. A., Comp. Biochem. Physiol.37 (1970) 119.
Afroz, H., Ishaq, M., and Ali, S. S., Proc. Soc. expl Biol. Med.136 (1971) 894.
Garstka, W. R., Camazine, B. and Crews, D., Herpetologica38 (1982) 104.
Gregory, P. T., National Museum of Natural Science (Ottawa) Publications in Zool. No.13 (1977) 1.
Aleksiuk, M., and Stewart, K. W., Ecology52 (1971) 485.
Garstka, W. R., Takarz, R. R., Diamond, M., Halpert, A., and Crews, D., Horm. Behav.19 (1985) 137.
Mason, R. T., and Crews, D., Nature316 (1985) 59.
Mason, R. T., Brain Behav. Evol.41 (1993) 261.
Whittier, J. M., and Crews, D., Prostaglandins37 (1989) 359.
Whittier, J. M., Mason, R. T., and Crews, D., Gen. comp. Endocr.67 (1987) 33.
Hahn, W. E., and Tinkle, D. W., J. expl Zool.158 (1965) 79.
Greenberg, D. S., Rainey, J., and Gist, D. H., Comp. Biochem. Physiol.78B (1984) 151.
Ho, S. M., Hormones and Reproduction of Fishes, Amphibians and Reptiles, Plenum Press, New York 1987.
Shafey, T. M., and Dingle, J. G. Australian Poultry Science Symposium, Univeristy of Sydney and World's Poultry Science Association (1992) 79.
Perez, L., Williams, D., and Callard, I., Comp. Biochem. Physiol.103B (1992) 707.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Whittier, J.M., Mason, R.T. Plasma triglyceride and β-hydroxybutyric acid levels in red-sided garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis) at emergence from hibernation. Experientia 52, 145–148 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01923360
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01923360