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Science 9 September 1983:
Vol. 221. no. 4615, pp. 1049 - 1050
DOI: 10.1126/science.221.4615.1049
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Articles

Patterns of Nitrogen Excretion by Embryonic Softshell Turtles (Trionyx spiniferus) Developing in Cleidoic Eggs

GARY C. PACKARD 1 and MARY J. PACKARD 1

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

Embryonic softshell turtles develop inside eggs exchanging little, if any, liquid water with the nest environment. Despite the consequent restriction on availability of water to support development, embryos convert most of the ammonia released in catabolism of proteins into soluble urea rather than insoluble urate, and thereby commit a portion of their limited reserve of water to serve as solvent for metabolic wastes. This finding is contrary to expectations from prior studies of cleidoic eggs.

Submitted on September 17, 1982
Revised on December 7, 1982


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Avian and Mammalian Mitochondrial Ammonia-Detoxifying Systems in Tortoise Liver.
J. W. CAMPBELL, D. D. SMITH JR., and J. E. VORHABEN (1985)
Science 228, 349-351
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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)