Health Assessment of Free-Ranging Alligator Snapping Turtles (Macrochelys Temminckii) in Georgia and Florida

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) is a large freshwater turtle endemic to river systems that drain into the Gulf of Mexico. Turtle populations were sharply reduced by commercial harvest in the 1970s and 1980s; however, the species has yet to be protected under the Endangered Species Act. While anthropogenic stressors such as habitat fragmentation and degradation and illegal capture continue to threaten populations, the degree to which disease may be contributing to any decline of the Alligator Snapping Turtle is unknown. Data were collected from 97 free-ranging Alligator Snapping Turtles in nine waterways in Florida and Georgia from 2001 to 2006. Eleven turtles were captured more than once, resulting in a total sample pool of 123. Reference ranges were established for complete blood count, plasma biochemistry values, trace metals (mercury, zinc, copper, lead, and arsenic), and nutrient parameters (vitamins A, E, D, and selenium). Variations by capture location, sex, and season were detected and likely resulted from external factors such as habitat and diet. Turtles sampled in one location were positive for tortoise herpesviral antibodies. Blood mercury values also differed among populations. This study provides justification for the use of these long-lived aquatic turtles as biologic monitors of the health of local freshwater ecosystems.

Population Structure and Body Size of the Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys suwanniensis) in Northern Florida

“…All size classes are vulnerable to harvest or collection for illegal pet trade. In addition, bloodmercury levels in M. suwanniensis (0.603 ppm) from the SFR exceed the Florida health advisory level for consumption of fish (0.5 ppm; Chaffin et al 2008).…”

“…Available literature is limited to regional status surveys (Moler 1996;Jensen and Birkhead 2003), analysis of blood chemistry (Chaffin et al 2008), a description of blood parasites (Telford et al 2009), an observation of basking behavior (Thomas 2009), and a report of juvenile growth rate (Johnston et al 2012b). Macrochelys suwanniensis has been protected from commercial harvest since 1972 in Florida (Ewert et al 2006) and 1992 in Georgia (Jensen and Birkhead 2003).…”

Baseline Health Parameters and Species Comparisons Among Free-Ranging Atlantic Sharpnose (Rhizoprionodon Terraenovae), Bonnethead (Sphyrna Tiburo), and Spiny Dogfish (Squalus Acanthias) Sharks in Georgia, Florida, and Washington, Usa

“…Nonparametric methods were also used to assess statistical differences between species. Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to evaluate differences in blood parameters by species (Chaffin et al, 2008). Significant values were noted as those with a,0.05.…”

Maternal Health Status Correlates with Nest Success of Leatherback Sea Turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) from Florida

“…Additionally, different populations may have distinct enzyme activities. For example, alligator snapping turtles from Florida and Georgia significantly differed in their amylase and lipase activities based on locale [74]. Leatherbacks also have higher lipase activity than loggerheads from Georgia [32] and Kemp's ridleys from the New York bight [75], most likely associated with the extensive fatty tissues of leatherbacks [14], [76].…”