Interspecific Differences In Heat Exchange Rates May Affect Competition Between Introduced And Native Freshwater Turtles
Biological Invasions /Volume 11, Number 8 / October, 2009 Original Paper /Pages 1755-1765 http://www.springerlink.com/content/0u383p9740778504/ (following abstract found here has an extensive bibliobraphy Nuria Polo-Cavia1 Contact Information, Pilar López1 and José Martín1 (1) Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain Abstract In the Iberian Peninsula, the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) is an introduced invasive species that is displacing the endangered native Spanish terrapin (Mauremys leprosa). However, the nature of competitive interactions is relatively unclear. In temperate zones, mechanisms for maximizing heat retention could be selectively advantageous for aquatic turtle species, since individuals usually lose the heat gained from basking very rapidly when entering the water. We hypothesized that interspecific differences in morphology, and thus, in heating and cooling rates, might confer competitive advantages to introduced T. scripta. We compared the surface-to-volume ratios of both, introduced and native turtles, basing on biometric measures, and their effects on thermal exchange rates. T. scripta showed a more rounded shape, a lower surface-to-volume ratio and a greater thermal inertia, what facilitates body heat retention and favors the performance of activities and physiological functions such as foraging or digestion, thus aggravating the competition process with native turtles in Mediterranean habitats. Keywords Freshwater turtles - Heat exchange rates - Invasive species - Mauremys leprosa - Thermoregulation - Trachemys scripta Contact Information Nuria Polo-Cavia Email: [email protected] To download full paper http://www.springerlink.com/content/0u383p9740778504/fulltext.pdf Allen Salzberg HerpDigest.org: The Only Free Weekly E-Zine That Reports on The Latest News on Herpetological Conservation and Science www.HerpDigest.org HerpArts.com 2010 Full Color Turtle Calendar Now Available at HerpArts.com Gifts for Herp Lovers: Reptile and Amphibian Jewelry, Art, Toys for Adults And Kids, Decorative Items for the House and So Much More www.HerpArts.com
