1967/02/01 by P.J. Bentley, William L. Bretz, Knut Schmidt‐Nielsen · 3 citations
Environmental Science · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Chemistry · #Physiological and biochemical adaptations #Turtle Biology and Conservation #High Altitude and Hypoxia #Biology #Sodium #Osmoregulation #Zoology #Ecology #Chemistry #Salinity
paper · doi:10.1242/jeb.46.1.161
openalex publication_date 1967/02/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/26
ABSTRACT While in hypertonic environment diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys centrata) slowly lose water by osmosis through the integument and as urine through the kidney. Small amounts of sodium are gained, probably largely as a result of diffusion through the integument rather than by drinking, and this sodium is principally excreted extrarenally. Nevertheless, the solute concentration in the blood of such turtles increases. When returned to fresh water the animals rehydrate and excrete accumulated excess sodium. In these ways they could undoubtedly survive for extended periods in the absence of fresh water, but it is not clear whether they could do so indefinitely.