Hypernatremia in Dice Snakes (Natrix tessellata) from a Coastal Population: Implications for Osmoregulation in Marine Snake Prototypes

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0092617
• Publication Date: 2014-03-21T20:56:40Z
• Authors: François Brischoux; Yurii V. Kornilev
• Keywords: Euryhaline; Hypernatremia; Osmoregulation; Salt gland

The widespread relationship between salt excreting structures (e.g., glands) and marine life strongly suggests that the ability to regulate balance has been crucial during transition in tetrapods. Elevated natremia (plasma sodium) recorded several snakes species development of a tolerance toward hypernatremia, addition gland development, critical feature evolution snakes. However, data from intermediate stage (species lacking glands but occasionally using salty environments) are draw comprehensive picture an euryhaline physiology these organisms. In this study, we assessed free-ranging Dice (Natrix tessellata, predominantly fresh water natricine coastal population Bulgaria. Our results show N. tessellata can display hypernatremia (up 195.5 mmol.l−1) without any apparent effect on physiological behavioural traits hematocrit, body condition, foraging). More generally, review situated along continuum habitat use fresh- seawater shows snake concomitant even glands. Collectively, suggest physiology, may well have preceded