Abstract
Sixty-three turtles, representing 50 species, were tested for the righting reflex under two conditions, inversion and suspension. Ninety-two percent performed the righting reflex under inversion; 67% performed the righting reflex under suspension. Differences in the performance of the righting reflex were noted and discussed in terms of natural selection and the evolutionary relationships between the species sampled.
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FRAENKEL, G. S., & GUNN, D. L. The orientation of animals. New York: Dover, 1961.
PRITCHARD, P. C. H. Living turtles of the world. Jersey City, N.J: T. F. H. Publications, 1967.
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The author is indebted to the staff of the Dallas Zoo Herpetarium without whose cooperation the study would not have been possible.
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Ashe, V.M. The righting reflex in turtles: A description and comparison. Psychon Sci 20, 150–152 (1970). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03335647
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03335647