Plasma corticosterone concentrations in wild and captive juvenile tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus)

摘要: Abstract High mortality and abnormal growth patterns commonly found in captive juvenile tuatara were hypothesised to be due part the effects of long‐term chronic stress captivity. This study compared plasma concentrations reptilian adrenal steroid, corticosterone, wild on Stephens Island, Cook Strait, juveniles Island origin, held New Zealand institutions, February August 1992. Seasonal variation concentration corticosterone four seasons year was also examined. is first seasonal cycles a reptile. Plasma significantly higher females (4.21 ± 0.27 ng/ml; mean SE) with (2.44 0.42 ng/ml) (P < 0.05), but not August, there no difference between males either month. There significant...