Development of a non-invasive heart rate measurement method for sea turtles with dense keratinous scutes through effective electrode placement

• DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1511443
• Publication Date: 2025-01-14T06:14:12Z
• Authors: Ayaka Saito; Kino Sakai; Megumi Kawai; Lyu Lyu; Kazunari Kameda; Hiromi Kudo; Katsufumi Sato; Kentaro Q. Sakamoto
• Keywords: biologging; Physiology; heart rate; QP1-981; non-in vasive method; electrocardiogram; sea turtle

Measuring the heart rate of sea turtles is important for understanding their physiological adaptations to environment. Non-invasive methods measure electrocardiogram (ECG) have been developed by attaching electrodes carapace. However, this method has only applicable with sparse keratin on shell surfaces, such as loggerhead turtles, and it difficult detect heartbeats in dense keratinous scutes, including green turtles. Here, we explored electrode placements plastron that can be applied ECG measurement signals were checked using a handheld monitor at three sets placement plastron. When could detected, they measured water tanks several days confirm clarity signals. Of 29 when negative was placed near neck area plastron, clear obtained nine individuals (39.1%), whereas not detected any four (17.4%). Furthermore, tank experiments, continuous successfully recorded neck: almost noiseless even during moving seven out ten slightly weak noisy other individuals. The resting 8.6 ± 2.9 (means s.d.) beats min −1 12.2 4.7 , similar those reported previous study involving insertion inside body. Therefore, measuring should closer neck, positive earth lower left Although selection suitable measurements required, will contribute better status