Effect of temperature on the rates of digestion, amino acid absorption and assimilation in the alligator

Coulson, Roland A.; Coulson, Thomas D.

doi:10.1016/0300-9629(86)90150-7

Cited by 21 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…During February, temperatures may be too cold for alligators to meet the metabolic requirements necessary for feeding. Feeding in both estuarine and freshwater environments most likely decreases during these times due to a reduction in digestion and absorption (Coulson and Coulson, 1986). This could lead to low UI in February that is likely due to reduced feeding overall.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Urinary iodine and stable isotope analysis to examine habitat influences on thyroid hormones among coastal dwelling American alligators

Boggs

Hamlin

Nifong

et al. 2016

General and Comparative Endocrinology

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The American alligator, generally a freshwater species, is known to forage in marine environments despite the lack of a salt secreting gland found in other crocodylids. Estuarine and marine foraging could lead to increased dietary uptake of iodine, a nutrient necessary for the production of thyroid hormones. To explore the influence of dietary iodine on thyroid hormone health of coastal dwelling alligators, we described the seasonal plasma thyroxine and triiodothyronine concentrations measured by radioimmunoassay and urinary iodine (UI) concentrations measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. We also analyzed long-term dietary patterns through stable isotope analysis of scute tissue. Snout-to-vent length (SVL) was a significant factor among UI and stable isotope analyses. Large adult males greater than 135 cm SVL had the highest UI concentrations but did not display seasonality of thyroid hormones. Alligators under 135 SVL exhibited seasonality in thyroid hormones and a positive relationship between UI and triiodothyronine concentrations. Isotopic signatures provided supporting evidence that large males predominantly feed on marine/estuarine prey whereas females showed reliance on freshwater/terrestrial prey supplemented by marine/estuarine prey. UI measurement provided immediate information that correlated to thyroid hormone concentrations whereas stable isotope analysis described long-term dietary patterns. Both techniques demonstrate that adult alligators in coastal environments are utilizing estuarine/marine habitats, which could alter thyroid hormone physiology.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Urinary iodine and stable isotope analysis to examine habitat influences on thyroid hormones among coastal dwelling American alligators

Boggs

Hamlin

Nifong

et al. 2016

General and Comparative Endocrinology

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“…Coulson and Coulson (1986) demonstrated that the time required for protein digestion and absorption in A. mississippiensis is twice as long at 20 0 C than at 28 0 C. The major effect of thermophily following feeding appears to be a decrease in the time required to process food rather than an increase in the total amount of energy extracted from a meal. In the commercial unit, we investigated a temperature of 31 0 C and demand feeding was maintained for the first year whereafter feeding rates was decreased to a level of 18% of body weight, but temperature remained at 31 0 C.…”

Section: Egg Recordamentioning

confidence: 95%

ARTIFICIAL PROPAGATION OFCROCODYLUS NILOTICUSAND THE CULTURE OF HATCHLINGS IN CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENTS

Smith¹,

Marais²,

McKenna³

1992

The Journal of the Herpetological Association of Africa

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A brief survey is given of the artificial propagation of Crocodylus niloticus and the culture of hatchlings in controlled environments. IntroductionThe primary objective of commercial crocodile skin producers is to maximize the returns on the substantial investment made in animals and facilities. Profitability in the industry hinges on the degree of success achieved in producing the maximum number of marketable skins per female per year. At the core of this exercise lies the number of hatchlings produced per female during the breeding cycle and the success achieved in rearing these hatchlings to slaughter stage. The level of success achieved is subject to the various factors pertaining to the quality, nutrition and management of the broodstock, the care of the eggs and the management, care and nutrition of the hatchlings. These topics are discussed in more detail below.

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“…For example, chuckwallas, Sauromalus sp, and African spiny-tail lizards, Uromastyx sp, routinely reach body temperatures between 35 -40°C (95 -104°F). Other species that come from sub-tropical environ m e n ts, su ch as th e A m e ric a n a llig a to r, A llig a to r mississippiensis, may have adapted to a cooler OBT of 20 -25°C (68 -77°F) (Avery, 1982, Coulson and Coulson, 1986, Gernard, 1991, Lane, 1996, Pough, et al, 1998. Reptiles achieve these temperatures by behavioral thermoregulation, the process of seeking environmental conditions that allow them to maintain their OBT.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As a result, they may become immuno-compromised and anorectic with a conse q u en t d e te rio ra tio n in h ea lth . F o r ex am p le, A m erican alligators digested food twice as fast at 28°C (82°F) than at 20°C (68°F), while smooth-sided caimans digest food three times faster at 30°C (86°F) than at 15°C (59°F) (Coulson and Hernandez, 1983, Coulson and Coulson, 1986, Coulson and Hernandez, 1989, Diefenbach, 1975. Experimental infection of American alligators kept at 30°C (86°F) demonstrated a greater white blood cell response to infection and survival of infection com pared to those kept at low er tem peratures (G lassm an and B ennet, 1978).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Use of Digital Thermography for Environmental Evaluation of Reptile Enclosures

Fleming

Isaza

Spire

et al. 2003

Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery

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A bstract: A thermal environment that mimics the animal's natural environment is one of the most important factor in keeping reptiles healthy in captivity. Reptiles regulate their body temperatures with external environ mental heat sources, behavioral actions, and some internal metabolic heat production. Most reptiles must reach their preferred body temperature (PBT) at some point during the day for optimal enzyme and immune system function, digestion and normal behavior to occur. Using digital thermography, a visual assessment of the ther m al environm ent can be made. This study used therm al im aging to assess five captive reptile therm al environments.

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Effect of temperature on the rates of digestion, amino acid absorption and assimilation in the alligator

Cited by 21 publications

References 10 publications

Urinary iodine and stable isotope analysis to examine habitat influences on thyroid hormones among coastal dwelling American alligators

Urinary iodine and stable isotope analysis to examine habitat influences on thyroid hormones among coastal dwelling American alligators

ARTIFICIAL PROPAGATION OFCROCODYLUS NILOTICUSAND THE CULTURE OF HATCHLINGS IN CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENTS

The Use of Digital Thermography for Environmental Evaluation of Reptile Enclosures

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