Development and evaluation of three mortality prediction indices for cold-stunned Kemp's ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii)

• DOI: 10.1093/conphys/cot003
• Publication Date: 2013-04-20T01:39:45Z
• Authors: N. I. Stacy; C. J. Innis; J. A. Hernandez
• Keywords: pCO2

Kemp's ridley sea turtle is an endangered species found in the Gulf of Mexico and along east coast USA. Cold-stunned turtles are often stranded on beaches Massachusetts New York November December each year. When alive, transported to rehabilitation centres for evaluation treatment. Blood gas chemistry analytes major clinical relevance were selected develop mortality prediction indices (MPI)s. Testing diagnostic performance various combinations blood by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis resulted development three indices. The sensitivity specificity best performing MPI (based analytes: pH, pO2, potassium) was 88 80%, respectively. Using ROC analysis, area under curve = 0.896 (95% confidence interval 0.83–0.94). use validated MPIs based four (pH, pCO2, could be useful better diagnosis, treatment, prognosis cold-stunned when admitted facilities.