Comprehensive health assessment and blood analyte reference intervals of gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) in southeastern FL, USA

Abstract

The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), a keystone species, is declining throughout its geographic range. Lack of knowledge with respect to the potential infectious diseases present within wild populations creates a dilemma for wildlife biologists, conservationists and public policy makers. The objective of this study was to conduct a health assessment of two previously unstudied gopher tortoise aggregations located at two sites in southeastern FL. Samples were collected from 91 tortoises (48 adults, 35 juveniles, 8 hatchlings) captured at Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, in Fort Pierce, FL, USA in 2019, and Loggerhead Park in Juno Beach, FL, USA, during 2018–2019. Samples of blood, nasal swabs and oral/cloacal swabs were analyzed for hematology, plasma protein electrophoretic profiles and infectious disease testing including Mycoplasma spp. serology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for Ranavirus, Herpesvirus and Anaplasma spp. Hematological and plasma protein electrophoresis reference intervals are presented for adult and juvenile tortoises from both sites combined. Clinical signs consistent with upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) were observed in 18/91 (20%) tortoises, and antibodies to Mycoplasma agassizii were detected in 33/77 (42.9%) tortoises. Adult tortoises were significantly more likely than juveniles to have URTD clinical signs, and statistically significant, positive relationships were observed between the presence of antibodies to Mycoplasma spp. and carapace length, packed cell volume and plasma globulin concentrations. Anaplasma spp. inclusions were observed in 8/82 (10%) tortoises, but PCR detected Anaplasma sp. in 21/83 (25%) tortoises. Herpesvirus and Ranavirus were not detected in any blood or swab samples. This work contributes important baseline information on the health of gopher tortoises toward the southern end of the species’ range.

Plasma electrophoresis profiles of Blanding’s turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) and influences of month, age, sex, health status, and location

“…Protein fraction concentrations varied across age groups, with juvenile turtles having the highest values for A:G, relative albumin, relative alpha 1 globulins, and absolute alpha 1 globulins. Similar trends are seen in juvenile loggerheads [ 16 ], juvenile Kemp’s ridley sea turtles ( Lepidochelys kempii ) [ 68 , 69 ], and juvenile gopher tortoises ( Gopherus polyphemus ) [ 70 ]. Adults had the highest values for relative beta globulins, relative gamma globulins, and absolute gamma globulins, which are similar to findings in other chelonians.…”

Hematology, Biochemistry Reference Intervals, and Morphological Description of Peripheral Blood Cells for a Captive Population of Crocodylus intermedius in Colombia

“…The C. intermedius ' WBC showed similar ranges to captive individuals of Crocodylus niloticus and Crocodylus moreletti ; however, the values were lower than those observed in wild individuals of the same species ( Supplementary Table 4 ). Lower frequency of pathogen exposure and aggressions, as product of controlled settings, and reduced competition and then seasonal induced stress could be determinant factors for the lower WBC in captive crocodiles; in contrast, turtles and other reptiles generate higher leukocyte counts secondary to captivity stress ( 19 , 36 , 37 ). Heterophils were the most frequent leukocyte, agreeing with the Manzanilla et al ( 11 ).…”

Arthropods and Fire Within the Biologically Diverse Longleaf Pine Ecosystem

“…This tick is likely the largest in North America ( Cooney and Hays 1972a ) and perhaps the second largest known in the world ( Bishopp and Trembley 1945 ). Like other tick species, A. tuberculatum hosts pathogens such as Rickettsia and others ( Zemtsova et al 2012 , Budachetri et al 2016 , Crosby et al 2021 , Page-Karjian et al 2021 ). This species may prove beneficial as well, however: the transcriptome of this tick’s salivary glands may be of pharmacological use for hemostasis and antiinflammation ( Karim et al 2021 ).…”