Sleep patterns in a chelonian reptile (Gopherus flavomarginatus).
Individuals of Gopherus flavomarginatus, previously adapted to experimental conditions were chronically implanted for polygraphic recordings. Four different states of vigilance were observed:. Active wakefulness, quiet wakefulness, quiet sleep and active sleep. EEG was polymorphic and irregular showing a decreasing tendency in frequency and amplitude when passing from wakefulness to quiet sleep. Heart rate decreased with sleep but it was slightly higher during active sleep than quiet sleep. Motor automatisms were present during active sleep being sometimes accompanied by ocular movements. This sleep always appeared after long periods of quiet sleep. Its average duration from animal to animal varied between 9.15 and 13.62 sec. Reaction threshold increased during sleep. The conclusion is that Gopherus flavomarginatus shows two phases of sleep similar to slow and paradoxical sleep in mammals.
Ayala-Guerrero
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Departamento de Fisiología, UNAM, Ciudad Universitaria, México, D.F.
Calderón
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Pérez
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D000818:Animals; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005071:Evoked Potentials; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000502:physiology*; D014426:Turtles / Q000502:physiology*; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000502:physiology