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Journal of Experimental Biology 131,365-372 (1987)
Published by Company of Biologists 1987

Gas Exchange in the Loggerhead Sea Turtle Caretta Caretta

M. E. LUTCAVAGE ¹, P. L. LUTZ ¹, and H. BAIER ²

¹ Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science University of Miami, Department of Biology and Living Resources 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149, USA
² Pulmonary Division, University of Miami, Department of Biology and Living Resources 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149, USA

Pulmonary CO diffusion capacity (DL_CO), lung volume (VL), oxygen uptake (V_o2) and pulmonary blood flow (QL) were measured simultaneously in the loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta (Linnaeus) (8–11 kg) using a gas rebreathing technique (syringe pump ventilation).

Calculated DL_CO and V_o2 values in the loggerhead turtle are approximately twice those of non-varanid reptiles and about 25 % of values for resting mammals. Evidence based on an estimated lung-capillary O₂ gradient, P_o2, shows that only a small driving gradient is required for O₂ conductance across the loggerhead turtle lung. Pulmonary blood flow values are high compared to those for other reptiles; on the basis of the Fick principle, this implies a substantial blood convection requirement.

Differences in oxygen transport mechanisms between the loggerhead sea turtle and other highly aerobic but terrestrial reptiles may result from divergent lung structures and breathing patterns. In sea turtles, the coupling of respiration with locomotory behaviour is one factor that may limit aerobic performance. Since sea turtles have only intermittent access to air, they are required to load both arterial and venous blood with O₂ before submerging

Key words: diffusion, lung, sea turtle

Accepted on April 29, 1987

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