Hematology and Serum Biochemistry of the Brush-Tailed Rock-Wallaby (Petrogale Penicillata)

Abstract

ABSTRACT:In Australia the brush-tailed rock-wallaby (Petrogale penicillata) is the subject of a national recovery plan, and several sites have been selected for reintroductions. Condition of wild populations and individual animals can be monitored using hematologic and serum biochemistry analytes, and hematologic variables have been correlated with postrelease survival in other species. Prior to such monitoring, reference values for blood variables are required, but these data have not been available for the brush-tailed rock-wallaby. During four trapping periods from November 2004 to August 2005, 116 blood samples were collected from 44 brush-tailed rock-wallabies in a wild colony in southeast Queensland. Some variables varied with sex, age, method of restraint, lactation demands, and trapping period. After partitioning, when required, reference ranges for hematology and serum biochemistry variables were established. This study provides the most comprehensive serum biochemistry reference range for any macropodid marsupial yet published.

Haematology and biochemistry of warru (Petrogale lateralisMacDonnell Ranges race) in captivity and the wild

“…Results of protein electrophoresis can give insight into chronic infections and immune‐mediated diseases . Information can be obtained for the individual animal and/or its population . For example, elevated levels of the biochemical parameter creatine kinase can indicate capture myopathy in an individual animal and are not interpretable at the population level.…”

Further investigation of the blood characteristics of Australian quoll (Dasyurus spp.) species

“…Eastern Quolls reach sexual maturity at one year of age and as ALP concentration is associated with skeletal growth activity(osteogenesis), it is reasonable to assume that Eastern Quolls under one year of age have higher ALP activities in the blood. Higher ALP values in juveniles have been determined for most domestic animals, and also for marsupials and other mammals, both in captivity and in the wild, including Western Quoll, Brush‐Tailed Rock Wallaby ( Petrogale penicillata ), Tammar Wallaby ( Macropus eugenii ), Northern Hairy‐Nosed Wombat ( Lasiorhinus krefftii ), Japanese Macaques ( Macaca fuscata ), wolves ( Canis lupus ), and Rock Hyrax ( Procavia capensis ) . ALP activity in Eastern Quolls showed large variations between individuals; similarly large variations in ALP activity have been observed previously in 3 captive murid species …”

Hematology and Plasma Biochemistry Values for the Giant Garter Snake (Thamnophis Gigas) and Valley Garter Snake (Thamnophis Sirtalis Fitchi) in the Central Valley of California

“…Hematology and plasma biochemistry values are useful in assessing individual and population health and fitness for wildlife species (Barnes et al, 2008;Deem et al, 2008;Greig et al, 2010), and provide a valuable tool for managing rare or imperiled species. Unfortunately, published studies on the hematology and plasma biochemistry reference ranges for normal snakes are rare (MacMahon and Hamer, 1975;McDaniel et al, 1984;Wojtaszek, 1991;Dutton and Taylor, 2003;Allender et al, 2006).…”