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Lamar SK, Altobelli JT, Nelson NJ, Ormsby DK. Investigating the link between morphological characteristics and diet in an island population of omnivorous reptiles (Sphenodon punctatus). Biol Open 2022; 11:277379. [PMID: 36239241 PMCID: PMC9581517 DOI: 10.1242/bio.059393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The morphological characteristics that impact feeding ecology in ectotherms, particularly reptiles, are poorly understood. We used morphometric measures and stable isotope analysis (carbon-13 and nitrogen-15) to assess the link between diet and functional morphology in an island population of an evolutionarily unique reptile, the tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus). First, we established a significant positive correlation between overall body size, gape size, and fat store in tuatara (n=56). Next, we describe the relationship between stable isotope profiles created from whole blood and nail trim samples and demonstrate that nail trims offer a low-impact method of creating a long-term dietary profile in ectotherms. We used nitrogen-15 values to assess trophic level in the population and found that tuatara on Takapourewa forage across multiple trophic levels. Finally, we found a significant relationship between gape size and carbon-13 (linear regression: P<0.001), with tuatara with large gapes showing dietary profiles that suggest a higher intake of marine (seabird) prey. However, whether body size or gape size is the primary adaptive characteristic allowing for more optimal foraging is yet unknown. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K Lamar
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand.,Center for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | | | - Nicola J Nelson
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand.,Center for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
| | - Diane K Ormsby
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
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Clyde-Brockway CE, Ferreira CR, Flaherty EA, Paladino FV. Lipid profiling suggests species specificity and minimal seasonal variation in Pacific Green and Hawksbill Turtle plasma. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253916. [PMID: 34280208 PMCID: PMC8289036 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we applied multiple reaction monitoring (MRM)-profiling to explore the relative ion intensity of lipid classes in plasma samples from sea turtles in order to profile lipids relevant to sea turtle physiology and investigate how dynamic ocean environments affect these profiles. We collected plasma samples from foraging green (Chelonia mydas, n = 28) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata, n = 16) turtles live captured in North Pacific Costa Rica in 2017. From these samples, we identified 623 MRMs belonging to 10 lipid classes (sphingomyelin, phosphatidylcholine, free fatty acid, cholesteryl ester, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, ceramide, and triacylglyceride) and one metabolite group (acyl-carnitine) present in sea turtle plasma. The relative ion intensities of most lipids (80%) were consistent between species, across seasons, and were not correlated to body size or estimated sex. Of the differences we observed, the most pronounced was the differences in relative ion intensity between species. We identified 123 lipids that had species-specific relative ion intensities. While some of this variability is likely due to green and hawksbill turtles consuming different food items, we found indications of a phylogenetic component as well. Of these, we identified 47 lipids that varied by season, most belonging to the structural phospholipid classes. Overall, more lipids (n = 39) had higher relative ion intensity in the upwelling (colder) season compared to the non-upwelling season (n = 8). Further, we found more variability in hawksbill turtles than green turtles. Here, we provide the framework in which to apply future lipid profiling in the assessment of health, physiology, and behavior in endangered sea turtles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea E. Clyde-Brockway
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Christina R. Ferreira
- Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth A. Flaherty
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States of America
| | - Frank V. Paladino
- Department of Biology, Purdue University-Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne, IN, United States of America
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Osthoff G, Hugo A, Govender D, Huchzermeyer F, Bouwman H. Comparison of the Lipid Composition of Three Adipose Tissue Types of Male and Female Wild Nile Crocodiles ( Crocodylus niloticus ). J HERPETOL 2014; 48:525-31. [DOI: 10.1670/13-096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Nevarez J. CROCODILIANS. Manual of Exotic Pet Practice. Elsevier; 2009. pp. 112-35. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-141600119-5.50009-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
This chapter presents a general overview of the anatomy, physiology, and treatment methodology for crocodilians. Most crocodilians grow to be larger than other reptile species and, therefore, have significant space requirements. Like most animals requiring an aquatic environment, crocodilians need water that is clean and free of disease. Crocodilians have a true hard palate in the roof of the mouth that ends caudally in a soft palate. This soft palate has a ventral flap which is referred to as the velum palati. The respiratory system of crocodilians consists of well-developed lungs benefiting from a very effective inspiration aided by the intercostal muscles and the septum post hepaticum. Crocodilians have a four-chambered heart as opposed to the three-chambered heart found in other reptiles and amphibians. The temperature and humidity requirements for crocodilians in captivity vary with the species. An understanding of crocodilian biology and natural history is needed to try and duplicate their natural environment. An important consideration is the allowance of circadian variations in light cycle and temperatures to mimic their natural environment. This is not the case in many commercial operations, where they are maintained at a fairly constant temperature and humidity to achieve faster growth.
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Abstract
Our experiments were designed to test the hypotheses that dietary lipids can affect whole-animal physiological processes in a manner concordant with changes in the fluidity of cell membranes. We measured (1) the lipid composition of five tissues, (2) body temperatures selected in a thermal gradient (T(sel)), (3) the body temperature at which the righting reflex was lost (critical thermal minimal [CTMin]), and (4) resting metabolic rate (RMR) at three body temperatures in desert iguanas (Dipsosaurus dorsalis) fed diets enriched with either saturated or unsaturated fatty acids. The composition of lipids in tissues of the lizards generally reflected the lipids in their diets, but the particular classes and ratios of fatty acids varied among sampled organs, indicating the conservative nature of some tissues (e.g., brain) relative to others (e.g., depot fat). Lizards fed the diet enriched with saturated fatty acids selected warmer nighttime body temperatures than did lizards fed a diet enriched with unsaturated fatty acids. This difference is concordant with the hypothesis that the composition of dietary fats influences membrane fluidity and that ectotherms may compensate for such changes in fluidity by selecting different body temperatures. The CTMin of the two treatment groups was indistinguishable. This may reflect the conservatism of some tissues (e.g., brain) irrespective of diet treatment. The RMR of the saturated treatment group nearly doubled between 30 degrees and 40 degrees C. Here, some discrete membrane domains in the lizards fed the saturated diet may have been in a more-ordered phase at 30 degrees C and then transformed to a less-ordered phase at 40 degrees C. In contrast, the RMR of the unsaturated treatment group exhibited temperature independence in metabolic rate from 30 degrees to 40 degrees C. Perhaps the unsaturated diet resulted in membranes that developed a higher degree of disorder (i.e., a certain phase) at a lower temperature than were membranes of lizards fed the saturated diet. Our study demonstrates links between dietary fats and whole-animal physiology; however, the mechanistic basis of these links, and the general knowledge of lipid metabolism in squamate reptiles, remain poorly understood and warrant further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- E T Simandle
- Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1878, USA.
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Blair TA, Cree A, Skeaff CM. Plasma fatty acids, triacylglycerol and cholesterol of the tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus punctatus) from islands differing in the presence of rats and the abundance of seabirds. J Zool (1987) 2000. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.2000.tb01229.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Blair TA, Cree A, Skeaff CM, Grimmond NM. Physiological effects of a fish oil supplement on captive juvenile tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus). Physiol Biochem Zool 2000; 73:177-91. [PMID: 10801396 DOI: 10.1086/316731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/23/1999] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Tuatara (Sphenodon, Order Sphenodontia) are rare New Zealand reptiles whose conservation involves captive breeding. Wild tuatara eat seabirds, which contain high levels of the long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These fatty acids are absent from the captive diet, and consequently, plasma fatty acid composition of wild and captive tuatara differs. This study investigated the effects of incorporating EPA and DHA into the diet of captive juvenile tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) in an attempt to replicate the plasma fatty acid composition of wild tuatara. Tuatara receiving a fish oil supplement containing EPA and DHA showed overall changes in their plasma fatty acid composition. Phospholipid EPA and DHA increased markedly, reaching 10.0% and 5.9 mol%, respectively, by 18 mo (cf. </=0.9% in controls). A reduced dosage from 18 to 24 mo probably still provided a higher n-3 PUFA content than the diet of wild juveniles. The fish oil supplement had no significant effects over 2 yr on growth rate, food conversion efficiency, or metabolism compared with controls; all juveniles survived and grew. Further study is required to determine whether a fish oil supplement would have long-term benefits for captive tuatara.
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Affiliation(s)
- T A Blair
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Cartland LK, Cree A, Sutherland WHF, Grimmond NM, Skeaff CM. Plasma concentrations of total cholesterol and triacylglycerol in wild and captive juvenile tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus). New Zealand Journal of Zoology 1994. [DOI: 10.1080/03014223.1994.9518009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Noble RC, McCartney R, Ferguson MWJ. Lipid and fatty acid compositional differences between eggs of wild and captive-breeding alligators (Alligator mississippiensis): an association with reduced hatchability? J Zool (1987) 1993. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1993.tb02712.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Carlson SE, Werkman SH, Peeples JM, Cooke RJ, Tolley EA. Arachidonic acid status correlates with first year growth in preterm infants. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1993; 90:1073-7. [PMID: 8430076 PMCID: PMC45813 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.90.3.1073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 392] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Diets deficient in the omega-6 fatty acid linoleic acid reduce arachidonic acid (Ach) concentrations and retard growth of developing animals and humans. Nevertheless, plasma phosphatidylcholine Ach concentrations declined from 84 +/- 23 mg/liter at birth to a nadir of 38 +/- 11 mg/liter at 4 mo of age in preterm infants fed commercial formulas with linoleic acid, and weight normalized to that of term infants fell progressively beginning at 2 mo of age. The nadir of plasma phosphatidylcholine Ach (31 +/- 7 mg/liter) and growth were further reduced by formula containing marine oil compared with the commercial formulas. Ach status (defined as the mean plasma phosphatidylcholine Ach concentration at 2, 4, and 6.5 mo) correlated with one or more measures of normalized growth through 12 mo. Ach status and maternal height accounted for as much as 59% of the weight variance and 68% of the length variance in infants fed standard formulas. Better Ach status was not from higher energy intakes. A conditional Ach deficiency in preterm infants may contribute to growth over the first year of life. On the strength of the relationship between Ach status and growth, we hypothesize that dietary Ach could improve first year growth of preterm infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Carlson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee, Memphis 38163
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Morpurgo B, Robinzon B, Lance V, Gelman A. Plasma fatty acid composition in wild and captive nile crocodile, crocodylus niloticus. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1993. [DOI: 10.1016/0300-9629(93)90332-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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