AN
AUSTRALIAN turtle has learned to breathe through its
bottom. The freshwater Fitzroy River
turtle (Rheodytes leukops) breathes normally above water, but can remain underwater for long periods by breathing through its combined
genital and
excretory opening, or cloaca, Craig Franklin of the University of
Queensland, Brisbane, told the recent Society for Experimental Biology symposium
at the University of Cambridge.
As the turtle pumps water through its cloaca, oxygen is extracted by a surrounding
network of blood vessels. This allows it to remain submerged for up to three days to
avoid predatory crocodiles,
from this months new scientist.