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Coming up for air: Thermal dependence of dive behaviours and metabolism in sea snakes
journal contribution
posted on 2016-11-01, 00:00 authored by Vinay Udyawer, C A Simpfendorfer, M R Heupel, Timothy ClarkTimothy ClarkCutaneous gas exchange allows some air-breathing diving ectotherms to supplement their pulmonary oxygen uptake, which may allow prolongation of dives and an increased capacity to withstand anthropogenic and natural threatening processes that increase submergence times. However, little is known of the interplay between metabolism, bimodal oxygen uptake and activity levels across thermal environments in diving ectotherms. Here, we show in two species of sea snake (spine-bellied sea snake; Hydrophis curtus and elegant sea snake; H. elegans) that increasing temperature elevates surfacing rates, increases total oxygen consumption, and decreases dive durations. The majority of dives observed in both species remained within estimated maximal aerobic limits. While cutaneous gas exchange accounted for a substantial proportion of total oxygen consumption (up to 23%), unexpectedly it was independent of water temperature and activity levels, suggesting a diffusion-limited mechanism. Our findings demonstrate that rising water temperature and a limited capability to up-regulate cutaneous oxygen uptake may compromise the proficiency with which sea snakes perform prolonged dives. This may hinder their capacity to withstand ongoing anthropogenic activities like trawl fishing, and increase their susceptibility to surface predation as their natural environments continue to warm.
History
Journal
Journal of Experimental BiologyVolume
219Issue
21Pagination
3447 - 3454Publisher
COMPANY OF BIOLOGISTS LTDLocation
EnglandPublisher DOI
ISSN
0022-0949eISSN
1477-9145Language
EnglishPublication classification
C Journal article; C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2016, Company of BiologistsUsage metrics
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Categories
Keywords
Science & TechnologyLife Sciences & BiomedicineBiologyLife Sciences & Biomedicine - Other TopicsAccelerometerAerobic limitsBimodal gas exchangeHydrophis (Lapemis) curtusHydrophis elegansIncidental trawl bycatchCUTANEOUS OXYGEN-UPTAKEGREAT-BARRIER-REEFBLOOD ACID-BASEPELAMIS-PLATURUSDIVING BEHAVIORMARINE SNAKESACROCHORDUS-ARAFURAEAQUATIC RESPIRATIONAIPYSURUS-LAEVISTURTLEAirAnimalsBehavior, AnimalDivingElapidaeLungOxygen ConsumptionTemperature