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Uric Acid and Urea Excretion in the Tuatara Sphenodon punctatus

Nature volume 224, pages 1325–1326 (1969)Cite this article

Abstract

QUALITATIVE tests have shown that the only surviving member of the reptile family Rhynchocephalia, the tuatara, excretes both urea and uric acid. Snakes (Squamata) eliminate nitrogen principally in the form of uric acid2–4, while the Crocodilia excrete uric acid and ammonia5. Some chelonians (turtles and tortoises) excrete uric acid, others excrete urea or ammonia6,7 and a few can change from one to the other8,9.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales

    W. H. DAWBIN & L. HILL

Authors
  1. W. H. DAWBIN
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  2. L. HILL
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DAWBIN, W., HILL, L. Uric Acid and Urea Excretion in the Tuatara Sphenodon punctatus. Nature 224, 1325–1326 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1038/2241325a0

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