Perception of airborne odors by loggerhead sea turtles

The Journal of Experimental Biology
Courtney S EndresKenneth J Lohmann

Abstract

Sea turtles are known to detect chemical cues, but in contrast to most marine animals, turtles surface to breathe and thus potentially have access to olfactory cues both in air and in water. To determine whether sea turtles can detect airborne chemical cues, captive loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) were placed into a circular, water-filled arena in which odorants could be introduced to the air above the water surface. Air that had passed across the surface of a cup containing food elicited increased activity, diving and other behavior normally associated with feeding. By contrast, air that had passed across the surface of an identical cup containing distilled water elicited no response. Increases in activity during food odor trials occurred only after turtles surfaced to breathe and peaked in the first post-breath minute, implying that the chemical cues eliciting the responses were unlikely to have been detected while the turtles were under water. These results provide the first direct evidence that sea turtles can detect airborne odors. Under natural conditions, this sensory ability might function in foraging, navigation or both.

References

Jan 1, 1993·Brain, Behavior and Evolution·T ShojiK Kurihara
Jan 1, 1993·Brain, Behavior and Evolution·T Hatanaka, O Matsuzaki
Mar 3, 1998·Animal Behaviour·J TodrankR E Johnston
Apr 29, 2000·The Biological Bulletin·N J Vickers
Nov 18, 2000·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·B D Wisenden
Jan 22, 2002·Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews·R A Dielenberg, I S McGregor
May 1, 2004·Nature·Kenneth J LohmannTimothy Swing
May 14, 2004·Journal of Chemical Ecology·Rulon W Clark
Dec 15, 2005·Zoology : Analysis of Complex Systems, ZACS·Maricela A Constantino, Michael Salmon
Dec 7, 2006·Biology Letters·Sylvia KowalewskyGuido Dehnhardt
Jan 24, 2007·Current Biology : CB·Paolo LuschiSilvano Benvenuti
Oct 24, 2007·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Kenneth J LohmannNathan F Putman
May 21, 2008·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Gabrielle A Nevitt
May 21, 2008·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Kenneth J LohmannCourtney S Endres
May 21, 2008·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Ken LukowiakMike Orr
Jul 23, 2008·Current Biology : CB·Nathan F Putman, Kenneth J Lohmann
Nov 1, 1971·Journal of Morphology·Thomas S Parsons

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Mar 5, 2016·Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·Courtney S EndresKenneth J Lohmann
Jul 3, 2015·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Andrew M ReynoldsStefano Focardi
Aug 16, 2016·Journal of Theoretical Biology·Brian K Taylor
Nov 3, 2017·PloS One·Bruce M Rothschild, Virginia Naples
Jun 4, 2019·Chemical Senses·Daisuke KondohTakayuki Sato
Jul 31, 2020·The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science·Sayed Sharif AbdaliNobuaki Nakamuta
Jul 14, 2020·The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science·Chiyo KitayamaDaisuke Kondoh
Dec 3, 2010·Natural Product Reports·Valerie J PaulKoty Sharp
Jun 2, 2020·The Anatomical Record : Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology·Yohei YamaguchiDaisuke Kondoh
Jul 1, 2017·Biological cybernetics·Brian K Taylor
Aug 7, 2020·PloS One·Elena PapaleSusanna Piovano
Jan 7, 2021·Cell and Tissue Research·Daisuke KondohYusuke K Kawai
Mar 11, 2020·Current Biology : CB·Joseph B PfallerKenneth J Lohmann
Dec 28, 2021·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Lucia F Jacobs

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Gabrielle A NevittHenri Weimerskirch
Journal of Comparative Physiology. A, Neuroethology, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology
Soraya Moein BartolAlfred L Ochs
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved