Orientation of the Painted Turtle, Chrysemys picta

Abstract

JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org. This content downloaded from 130. ABSTRACT:Thirty adult female Chrysemys picta were tested in a Y-maze to determine what factors caused orientation. The turtles were found not to have any innate (or to develop any right or left) turning tendencies. At warm temperatures (23 -30C) the turtles did not orient to current or to different strengths of currents. When kept at 6C for 24 hours prior to testing, there was a marked tendency to avoid current. The turtles had a marked orientation to light and responded positively to differences of 0.1 ft-c in intensity. Chrysemys kept at temperatures of 6 to 17C prior to testing oriented to warmer water currents. When kept at warmer temperatures ranging between 23 and 20C, they oriented to cooler water currents. The turtles did not orient to a current bearing aromatics from aquatic plants. There was no significant orientation to currents having red, green, or brown dye introduced.

Morphological parameters and spring activities in a central Ontario population of midland painted turtle, Chrysemys picta marginata (Agassiz)

“…Noble and Breslau (1938) found hatchlings were attracted to high illumination. Ortleb and Sexton (1964) discovered that C. picta not only responded to light but were able to discriminate between light intensities of 0.1 foot candles. Light and temperature in the natural setting are usually closely linked and their respective effects may be confused.…”

“…Many authors have documented homing in Chrysemys picta: Cagle (1944), Williams (1952), Gould (1959), Ortleb and Sexton 1964), Emlen (1969), andErnst (1970b). Emlen (1969) presented a strong argument for visual recognition of local topographic landmarks in orientation of C. picta.…”