Galanin is a hormone 29 or 30 amino acids (aa) long that is widely distributed within the body and exerts numerous biological effects in vertebrates. To fully understand its physiological roles in reptiles, we analyzed preprogalanin cDNA structure and expression in the turtle pituitary. Using the Chinese soft-shell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis order Testudines), we obtained a 672-base pair (bp) ...

We study the stability of polymer-shelled bubbles with controlled dimensions generated from air-in-oil-inwater (A/O/W) compound bubbles. We show that the ratio of the shell thickness to bubble radius is critical in generating un-deformed polymer-shelled bubbles from A/O/W compound bubbles. In addition, the effects of shell stiffness and encapsulated gas on bubble stability are also investigated...

The turtle shell is a complex structure that currently serves a largely protective function in this iconically slow-moving group [1]. Developmental [2, 3] and fossil [4-7] data indicate that one of the first steps toward the shelled body plan was broadening of the ribs (approximately 50 my before the completed shell [5]). Broadened ribs alone provide little protection [8] and confer significant...

Quantifying Sea Turtle Mortality with PSATs 1 New Discoveries in the Olfactory Capability of Sea Turtles 6 MHLC7—Evaluation and Comment 10 Compendium—Fisheries Research in Brief 11 (continued on page 2) The incidental capture of marine turtles in longline fishing gear is generally accepted to be a significant factor contributing to the decline of sea turtle populations in both the Pacific and A...

The shoulder girdle of turtles has a triradiate morphology. Although its dorsal process represents the scapular blade, the skeletal identities of the two ventral processes remain uncertain. To elucidate the question, developmental patterns of the girdles were compared between Chinese soft-shelled turtles, chickens, and mice. Despite the morphological diversity of adults, the initial primordia o...

Important evolutionary and ecological consequences arise from the ability of female turtles to store viable spermatozoa for an extended period. Although previous morphological studies have observed the localization of spermatozoa in Pelodiscus sinensis oviduct, no systematic study on the identification of genes that are involved in long-term sperm storage has been performed. In this study, the ...