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Science 24 July 1981:
Vol. 213. no. 4506, pp. 471 - 473
DOI: 10.1126/science.213.4506.471
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Articles

Possible Adaptive Value of Water Exchanges in Flexible-Shelled Eggs of Turtles

GARY C. PACKARD 1, MARY J. PACKARD 1, THOMAS J. BOARDMAN 2, and M. DOMINIQUE ASHEN 3

1 Department of Zoology and Entomology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523
2 Department of Statistics, Colorado State University
3 Department of Zoology and Entomology, Colorado State University

Use of energy reserves by embryos of common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) is related to the hydric conditions to which eggs are exposed during incubation and to the net exchanges of water through the eggshells. Embryos developing inside eggs with a relatively favorable water balance use more of their energy reserves metabolically and grow larger before hatching than embryos inside eggs with less favorable water exchanges.

Submitted on July 31, 1980
Revised on April 22, 1981

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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)