Hematology and Serum Chemistry of Ozark and Eastern Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus Alleganiensis)

Solis, Mauricio E.; Bandeff, Janet M.; Huang, Yue-Wern

doi:10.1655/0018-0831(2007)63[285:hascoo]2.0.co;2

Cited by 28 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…We were surprised by the predominance of lymphocytes (>80% of immune cells in every sample), as well as the consistency of leukocyte ratios among individuals and over time. These findings contrast with the more variable proportions of circulating lymphocytes (~35-65%), neutrophils (~20-45%) and eosinophils (~3-20%) previously reported in C. alleganiensis (Huang et al, 2010;Jerrett and Mays, 1973;Solís et al, 2007). Because previous studies have focused on wild-caught adults, these differences could be related to environmental variables or animal age.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 70%

Cryptic impacts of temperature variability on amphibian immune function

Terrell

Quintero

Murray

et al. 2013

Journal of Experimental Biology

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SUMMARYEctothermic species living in temperate regions can experience rapid and potentially stressful changes in body temperature driven by abrupt weather changes. Yet, among amphibians, the physiological impacts of short-term temperature variation are largely unknown. Using an ex situ population of Cryptobranchus alleganiensis, an aquatic North American salamander, we tested the hypothesis that naturally occurring periods of temperature variation negatively impact amphibian health, either through direct effects on immune function or by increasing physiological stress. We exposed captive salamanders to repeated cycles of temperature fluctuations recorded in the population's natal stream and evaluated behavioral and physiological responses, including plasma complement activity (i.e. bacteria killing) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Aeromonas hydrophila. The best-fit model (ΔAIC c =0, w i =0.9992) revealed 70% greater P. aeruginosa killing after exposure to variable temperatures and no evidence of thermal acclimation. The same model predicted 50% increased E. coli killing, but had weaker support (ΔAIC c =1.8, w i =0.2882). In contrast, plasma defenses were ineffective against A. hydrophila, and other health indicators (leukocyte ratios, growth rates and behavioral patterns) were maintained at baseline values. Our data suggest that amphibians can tolerate, and even benefit from, natural patterns of rapid warming/cooling. Specifically, temperature variation can elicit increased activity of the innate immune system. This immune response may be adaptive in an unpredictable environment, and is undetectable by conventional health indicators (and hence considered cryptic). Our findings highlight the need to consider naturalistic patterns of temperature variation when predicting species' susceptibility to climate change.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 70%

Cryptic impacts of temperature variability on amphibian immune function

Terrell

Quintero

Murray

et al. 2013

Journal of Experimental Biology

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“…We intended to take 10 blood samples from each river to evaluate hematology and plasma parameters of animals within and among rivers; however, the final sample sizes varied among rivers due to relative abundance of animals. To reduce excessive blood drawing, animals from the EPR were only analyzed for heavy metals because hematology and plasma chemistry information was collected in a previous study [6].…”

Section: Animal and Blood Sample Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Body mass, total length, snout-vent length, gender, and morphological abnormalities were recorded. One milliliter of blood was removed for every 100 g of body weight [6]. All blood removal and processing occurred immediately after capture and was completed within a few minutes.…”

Section: Animal and Blood Sample Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the past we conducted a preliminary survey on hematology and plasma chemistry in Ozark hellbenders [6] and assessed levels of organic chemicals and nutrients in the water where hellbenders are found [6]. Six of the 18 hematology and plasma chemistry parameters in hellbenders differed between rivers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the present study we expand our effort to include Ozark hellbenders in the Current River and eastern hellbenders inhabiting Big Piney River, Gasconade River, and Meramec River in Missouri in order to establish a broader base of knowledge on hellbender's blood parameters that pertain to immunological, excretory, regulatory, and homeostatic functions. Descriptions of these parameters correspond to the general knowledge of various amphibians and reptiles [6]. While some functions of a parameter are universal across species, other functions are speciesdependent.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Heavy metals, hematology, plasma chemistry, and parasites in adult hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)

Huang

Briggler

et al. 2010

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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Ozark (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi) and eastern hellbenders (C. a. alleganiensis) from seven rivers in Missouri, USA, were collected to investigate essential information on hematology, parasites, and plasma chemistry and levels of select heavy metals (Hg, Pb, Cd, Cr, and Co) in the animals' blood. The body masses of Ozark hellbenders were much smaller than those of eastern hellbenders. Blood parasites were detected in Ozark hellbenders, but not eastern hellbenders. The higher frequency in occurrence of eosinophils in Ozark hellbenders (8.8-16.8%) than in eastern hellbenders (highest at 6.6%) might result from the infection of parasites. Seven of the 18 hematology and plasma parameters (hematocrit, basophils, eosinophils, K, P, Ca, and chloride) showed significant differences between subspecies. The blood levels of heavy metals Co, Hg, and Pb differed significantly between subspecies. Ozark hellbenders had higher blood levels of Co (p<0.001), while blood levels of Hg and Pb were higher in eastern hellbenders. The levels of chromium (Cr) and cadmium (Cd) were not different between subspecies and among rivers. The eastern hellbenders at Niangua River and the Ozark hellbenders at the North Fork of the White River had lower Hg levels compared to eastern and Ozark hellbenders at other sites. All together, our findings provide important baseline information for managing this endangered species.

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Amphibians

Forzán

Horney

2020

Exotic Animal Laboratory Diagnosis

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Hematology and Serum Chemistry of Ozark and Eastern Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus Alleganiensis)

Cited by 28 publications

References 28 publications

Cryptic impacts of temperature variability on amphibian immune function

Cryptic impacts of temperature variability on amphibian immune function

Heavy metals, hematology, plasma chemistry, and parasites in adult hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)

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