Important indicators of population health needed for large-scale sea turtle recovery efforts include demographics, disease and mortality trends, condition indices, baseline blood data. With this comprehensive assessment adult female green turtles Chelonia mydas nesting on Juno Beach, Florida, USA, we (1) established indices; (2) identified individuals with evidence infection by chelonid alphaherpesviruses 5 6 (ChHV5, ChHV6), which are implicated in fibropapillomatosis respiratory skin...

Blood samples of 85 immature, apparently healthy, captive-reared loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) were analyzed for 13 hematologic variables and total solids 5 age groups (8, 20, 32, 44, 56 mo old) 20 plasma biochemical analytes 4 (20 to old). Each individual turtle was sampled under similar conditions during a blood collection period 3 days. Hematologic included packed cell volume, white (WBC) counts, WBC estimates, leukocyte differentials. Biochemical analysis albumin, alanine...

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...

Reptile hematologic data provide important health information for conservation efforts of vulnerable wildlife species such as the Galapagos tortoise (Chelonoidis spp.). Given reported discrepancies between manual leukocyte counts nonmammalian species, two quantification methods, Natt and Herrick's (NH) Eopette (EO), were compared to white blood cell (WBC) estimates from films 42 free-living, clinically healthy, adult female tortoises. To investigate effects delay in sample processing,...

ESR Endangered Species Research Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout JournalEditorsSpecials 33:25-37 (2017) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00769 Clinicopathological findings in sea turtles assessed during Deepwater Horizon oil spill response N. I. Stacy1,7,*, C. L. Field2, Staggs3, R. A. MacLean4, B. Stacy5, J. Keene5, D. Cacela6, Pelton1, Cray7, M. Kelley4, S. Holmes3, Innis8 1Department of Large Animal...

Incubation temperatures, in addition to an embryo's genetic makeup, are critical many aspects of adequate sea turtle embryonic development. The effects high and low incubation temperatures on hatchling quality have been previously examined; however, these studies were conducted relocated or laboratory-reared nests, which do not accurately reflect natural nest temperature fluctuations. To observe the impacts varying situ loggerhead (Caretta caretta) morphology, various health variables...

To establish reference intervals for plasma glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) in clinically healthy African penguins and 2) to investigate GLDH activities antemortem from birds with confirmed liver disease postmortem. In this observational case-control study, the histopathological reports of all (n = 12) at one zoological institution were reviewed over a 19-year period identify disease. A single archived sample was evaluated each birds, 2 4 different time points samples The prevalence 58%...

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...

Blood analyte reference intervals are scarce for immature life stages of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). The objectives this study were to (1) document packed cell volume (PCV) and 20 plasma chemistry analytes from wild oceanic-juvenile stage turtles Azorean waters, (2) investigate correlations with body size (minimum straight carapace length: SCLmin) (3) compare data those older, larger neritic juveniles (<80 cm adult loggerheads (≥80 that have recruited West Atlantic in waters...

Three new species of Tursiocola are described from the skin West Indian manatee bringing total number known in genus to seven. The range morphological diversity within is greatly expanded. poroid rows on copulae no longer a valid characteristic for separation ceticolous Epiphalaina. presence butterfly-like structure central area former at present best criterion separating 2 genera. 3 accounted nearly 90% all diatom valves skin. No other taxa previously as cetaceans were manatee.

Medlinella amphoroidea gen. et sp. nov. is described from the dorsal neck skin of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). The presence girdle septa, multiple copulae, and marine epizoic habitat are characteristic features shared with many species in similar Tripterion, Chelonicola, Poulinea genera. semi-lanceolate valve shape, asymmetric face distinct ventral striae, volate pore occlusions distinguish these accounted for up to 50% all diatom valves on examined turtles. Examination type...

A recently deceased juvenile male bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) was found floating in the Gulf of Mexico, off Sand Key Clearwater, Florida. At autopsy, we identified pneumonia and a focus malacia right cerebrum. Cytologic evaluation tissue imprints from cerebrum revealed fungal hyphae. Fungal cultures lung brain yielded Aspergillus fumigatus, which confirmed by amplification portion nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 2 region sequence. Microscopic pulmonary lesions...

Decompression sickness (DCS) was first diagnosed in marine turtles 2014. After capture net fisheries, animals typically start showing clinical evidence of DCS hours after being hauled on-board, often dying if untreated. These are normally immediately released without any understanding subsequent problems or outcome. The objectives this study were to describe early occurrence and severity gaseous embolism (GE) incidental trawl gear, provide estimates on-board post-release mortality....

The Indian River Lagoon (IRL) on Florida’s east coast is a biologically diverse estuary and an important habitat to the threatened Florida manatee ( Trichechus manatus latirostris ). An unusual mortality event (UME) was declared by Working Group Marine Mammal Unusual Mortality Events in 2013 after marked increase deaths IRL of unknown cause. This UME followed dramatic reduction seagrass coverage due chronic non-toxic phytoplankton blooms, with resultant ecosystem shift mixed macroalgal...

Welfare considerations and regulations for invertebrates have lagged behind those vertebrates, despite comprising more than 95% of earth's species. Humans interact with use aquatic exhibition in zoos aquaria, as pets, research subjects, important food sources. Recent has indicated that invertebrates, particular cephalopod mollusks decapod crustaceans, experience stress may be able to feel pain. With this article, we present results a survey on attitudes animal health professionals toward...

Tursiocola denysii sp. nov. is described from the dorsal neck skin of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), bringing total number known species in genus to eight. A gradient striae density on valve face, low length:width ratio valves, radiate at mid-valve, and a second partial row pores valvocopulae are characteristics that expand range morphological diversity within genus. The different morphology pars interior exterior valvocopula for first time T. accounted up ca. 40% all diatom...