Resistance of the shell membrane and mineral layer to diffusion of oxygen and water in flexible-shelled eggs of the snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina).
At oviposition, flexible eggshells of many turtles have an outer mineral layer and an inner membrane layer of approximately equal thickness. We measured conductances of both layers to H2O and O2 at various levels of eggshell hydration. Both the mineral layer of the eggshell and the shell membrane offer significant resistance to diffusion of water vapor and oxygen in eggshells of the snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina. Conductance to water vapor increases in both the membrane and mineral layer with increasing hydration of the eggshell, but conductance to oxygen decreases under similar conditions. Removal of the mineral layer increases conductance to oxygen in moist and dry eggshells, but decreases conductance at intermediate levels of dehydration. Removal of the mineral layer consistently increases conductance to water vapor. The eggshell membrane accounts for 24-76% of overall resistance to diffusion of water vapor. These results suggest that bulk flow of H2O or physical changes in the shell may interact with diffusion to limit gas exchange through the turtle eggshell.
D000818:Animals; D004058:Diffusion; D004528:Egg Shell; D005260:Female; D008566:Membranes / Q000502:physiology; D010063:Ovum / Q000502:physiology*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000502:physiology*; D014426:Turtles / Q000502:physiology*; D014867:Water
D014867:Water; D010100:Oxygen