Iridoviruses of the genus Ranavirus are well known for causing mass mortality events fish and amphibians with sporadic reports infection in reptiles. This article describes five instances chelonians between 2003 2005 Georgia, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, USA. Affected species included captive Burmese star tortoises (Geochelone platynota), a free-ranging gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina), Florida turtle (Terrepene bauri). Evidence was...

The health status of 83 loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta; 39 foraging, 31 nesting, and 13 stranded turtles) was analyzed using physical examinations, hematology, plasma biochemistry, protein electrophoresis, toxicologic parameters. Significant differences were noted in a number parameters between exhibiting each these behaviors. On had the highest prevalence heavy carapace epibiont loads, miscellaneous abnormalities, emaciation, weakness. Differences hematologic values included lower...

Leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) are the most endangered of seven species turtles. The health status leatherbacks is largely unknown, although number nesting females recorded throughout world has decreased precipitously in last few decades. Central African beaches may provide one strongholds for leatherback females. In region, oil extraction and incidental capture pose significant threats to population. Physical examinations, hematology, plasma biochemistry, corticosterone...

Health evaluations were conducted in the northwestern Atlantic for 19 leatherback turtles, which included 12 turtles directly captured as part of a satellite telemetry study and 7 entangled fishing gear. Assessment physical examination; determination heart rate respiratory rate; hematologic, plasma biochemical, nutritional, toxicologic, parasitologic, microbiological investigations. Significant differences found between curved carapace length, width, blood urea nitrogen, chloride, sodium,...

A debilitated 7 kg juvenile green turtle (Chelonia mydas mydas) with multiple ulcerated and infected cutaneous fibropapillomas was clinically evaluated found to have a nonregenerative anemia, hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia several electrolyte abnormalities. Surgery performed remove the larger tumors. The did not eat post surgically, an attempt made place pharyngostomy tube utilizing endoscopy. Edematous esophageal papillae, angulation of gastroesophageal junction, S-shaped configuration...

Marine turtle fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a debilitating, infectious neoplastic disease that has reached epizootic proportions in several tropical and subtropical populations of green turtles (Chelonia mydas). FP represents an important health concern sea rehabilitation facilities. The objectives this study were to describe the observed epidemiology, biology, survival rates affected by (FP turtles) environment; evaluate clinical parameters as predictors rehabilitating turtles; provide...

Summary Roads are pervasive fixtures on most landscapes but typically among many factors contributing to wildlife population declines. Addressing road mortality as part of larger conservation efforts is challenging because it can be difficult measure per capita from roads and other concurrent threats. We used 4 years mark–recapture–recovery data for diamondback terrapins M alaclemys terrapin a causeway in G eorgia, USA , directly estimate threats adult nest predation, contrast the...

Threatened and endangered green turtles (Chelonia mydas) are unique because as juveniles they recruit from pelagic to near-shore waters shift an omnivorous primarily herbivorous diet (i.e. seagrass algae). Nevertheless, when injured ill animals admitted rehabilitation, animal protein (e.g. seafood) is often offered combat poor appetite emaciation. We examined how the fecal microbiome of juvenile changed in response a dietary during rehabilitation. collected samples January 2014 –January 2016...

Sharks are of commercial, research, conservation, and exhibition importance but we know little regarding health parameters population status for many species. Here present indicators species comparisons adults three common wild-caught species: 30 Atlantic sharpnose sharks (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae) 31 bonnethead (Sphyrna tiburo) from the western Atlantic, spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) eastern Pacific. All animals were captured during June–July 2009 2010. Median values preliminary...

Summary Road mortality is a major component of human impacts on wildlife populations, and the pervasiveness roads landscape presents substantial challenge for managing those impacts. The feasibility methods to reduce road depends degree which this threat spatially or temporally concentrated, can be based habitat, activities species' ecology. Diamondback terrapins M alaclemys terrapin are species conservation concern across their range, contributing local population declines. We used...

Chronically debilitated loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) (DT) are characterized by emaciation, lethargy, and heavy barnacle coverage. Although histopathological findings associated with this condition have been reported, only limited data is available on health variables clinical application. The objectives of study were to 1) compare morphometrics, clinicopathological variables, immune functions DTs a group apparently healthy better understand the pathophysiology 2) assess...

Dengue fever, traditionally a tropical disease, has shown notable increase in incidence within the United States over recent decades. This paper focuses on dengue fever cases Maryland during increasing temperature and humidity expanding geographical range of Aedes mosquitoes, primary vectors for virus transmission. Electronic health data was used to identify patterns from 2014 2024. Correlation analysis between review factors conducted. Results indicate an increased past decade. However,...

Background: The radiated tortoise ( Geochelone radiata ) is a critically endangered species in its native land, the southern portion of island Madagascar. Captive breeding programs have generated data on behavior and ecology G ; however, hematologic biochemical also are important managing populations. Objective: purpose this study was to evaluate sex seasonal effects from captive tortoises. Methods: Whole blood collected January August 2001 18 tortoises (10 male, 8 female) housed at Wildlife...

The Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) is a large freshwater turtle endemic to river systems that drain into the Gulf of Mexico. populations were sharply reduced by commercial harvest in 1970s and 1980s; however, species has yet be protected under Endangered Species Act. While anthropogenic stressors such as habitat fragmentation degradation illegal capture continue threaten populations, degree which disease may contributing any decline unknown. Data collected from 97...

Prey items for the federally protected Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi) were compiled from published and gray literature, field observations, necropsies, dissection of museum specimens, personal communications reliable sources. One hundred eighty-six records obtained 48 different prey species. Anurans, Gopher Tortoises, snakes, rodents comprised ca. 85% items. Most (n = 143) that mentioned size adult indigos; 17 juveniles. collected 1940–2008 available all months year. These data...

Lemurs on St. Catherines Island, Georgia were tested for Trypanosoma cruzi infection to develop a better understanding of the epizootiology parasite in nonhuman primates southeastern United States. Fifty-six ring-tailed (Lemur catta), blue-eyed black (Eulemur macaco flavifrons), and black-and-white ruffed (Varecia variegata variegata) lemurs by hemoculture serology determine prevalence T. population. Of those 3 (5%) identified as culture positive 25 (44.6%) seropositive. When results...

The evaluation of hormonal responses to stress in reptiles relies on acquisition baseline corticosterone concentrations; however, the associated with restraint needed collect blood samples can affect results. purpose this study was determine a time limit for collection evaluate corticosterone, haematological and biochemical results nesting (n = 11) rehabilitating 16) loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). Blood were collected from dorsal cervical sinus each turtle immediately after...

The objective of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics two orally administered doses tramadol (5 and 10 mg/kg) its major metabolite (O-desmethyltramadol) (M1) in loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). After oral administration, half-life at 5 mg/kg 20.35 22.67 hr, whereas M1 10.23 11.26 respectively. maximum concentration (Cmax) for after administration 373 719 ng/ml, that 655 1,376 Tramadol both dosages provided measurable plasma concentrations O-desmethyltramadol several days...

Abstract Chelonid herpesvirus 5 (ChHV5), the likely etiologic agent of sea turtle fibropapillomatosis (FP), is predicted to be unevenly distributed within an infected turtle, in which productive virus replication and virion shedding occurs cutaneous tumor keratinocytes. In this study, we measured compared ChHV5 DNA quantities tumors, skin, urine, major organs, nervous tissue samples from green turtles Chelonia mydas. These were taken carcasses 10 juvenile with without clinical signs FP that...