Effect of temperature and hydric conditions on blood pH in embryonic snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina)

Abstract

The effect of temperature on blood pH in embryonic snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) was examined to determine whether the blood pH changes in the same manner as the neutral pH of pure water. Eggs were incubated on moistened vermiculite (water potential of −150 or −950 kPa) at 26 or 27 °C. On day 59 of incubation, eggs were placed in individual containers and assigned to incubators set at temperatures between 18.5 and 30 °C. Blood samples were taken on day 60 of incubation. Blood pH of the embryos varied in a manner similar to that observed in adults of this species: blood pH declined with increasing temperature, with a slope of −0.021 pH/°C. The decrease of blood pH with increasing temperature may be accomplished passively, with blood CO2 partial pressure increasing as a result of greater metabolic production of CO2 while the diffusive excretion of this gas remains relatively constant. No effect of substrate water potential on blood pH was observed.