![]() Differences in WBC between perceived healthy and sick sea turtles were not detected, with the strongest relationship (lymphocytes and capture location) having only a 66% similarity. Ninety-five percent of white blood cell (WBC) counts ranged from 6 to 18 x 103 per microliter. Red blood cell count distributions measured by the Antech Diagnostics laboratory were similar to values recorded at sea, with 95% of observations between 25 and 41% of blood volume. Species, size, geographic capture location, and outward physical appearance seem to exert little influence on blood chemistry values. The inter-relatedness between and influences on blood chemistry values, based on more than 450 samples. Potassium levels were most closely aligned (69% similarity) with Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST). Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was more closely aligned with blood glucose (73% similarity) than it was uric acid, which was most closely aligned (71% similarity) with Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK). An 80% similarity was noted between sodium and chloride levels. A 76% similarity was noted between turtle size and total protein (predominantly globulin). Data appear to be independent of turtle species, perceived health, collection location, and turtle size however, relationships between blood parameters provide insight into sea turtle biology and health. Ninety percent of loggerhead sea turtles exhibited blood glucose values between 58 and 144 mg/dL, with only 1% each classified as hypoglycemic (200 mg/dL).īlood chemistry data analyzed by Antech Diagnostics (Memphis, TN) are available for a subset (454) of sea turtles provide additional insights. Similar total protein levels were observed among loggerhead sea turtles with red blood cell counts 44% (total protein = 2.9 to 7.3 umol/dL, average = 4.7). Red blood cell counts for loggerhead sea turtles were only deemed low (44) red blood cell counts, a potential indication of dehydration, were only noted in 2% (28) of loggerhead sea turtles. Standard clinical blood values also substantiate the suggestion of a healthy population of sea turtles captured by trawling in the various surveys associated with this research since 2000. Because of the healed nature of this wound it is not possible to determine when the injury occurred, but given the prevalence of such wounds it is clear that turtles face a variety of threats at sea which are not always lethal. These observations collectively substantiate the resiliency of loggerhead sea turtles to sub-lethal injuries as well as identify geographic areas of greatest potential where loggerheads may become injured.Īn adult female loggerhead with a healed shark bite wound on the rear portion of the right side of her carapace (shell). Injured sea turtles are captured throughout the study area, but occur with significantly greater frequency near major ports. Injuries have been recorded for all regions of the body, but most often afflict the carapace and flippers. Injuries range from minor abrasions to severe lacerations and amputations however, nearly 90% of these injuries were fully healed at the time of capture. Growths and lesions are rare however, evidence of physical injury is present in one of every four sea turtles captured. Keratin and/or scale shedding is common, but rarely affects more than 15% of a body part. About 10% of sea turtles are described as rotund, with visibly convex plastrons and thick mass. Outwardly, only about 3% appear emaciated or exhibit heavy barnacle loads often associated with emaciation. Overall, sea turtles captured in our surveys since 2000 appear to be in good health. All sea turtles receive an external physical examination while on board, during which time particular attention is paid to prevalence of epibiont load, body mass, scale and keratin integrity, and unusual growths or injuries. Kemp’s ridley (red square) and loggerhead sea turtles (gray circles) captured to date encompass small juvenile to large adult sizes, but predominantly consist of immature individuals.ĭocumenting the condition of sea turtles captured in coastal waters is equally as important as monitoring catch rates and demographic trends. Fewer than a dozen green sea turtles (green triangles) have been captured by our various surveys since 2000, all of which have been very small juveniles. The relationship between turtle weight (y-axis) and shell length (x-axis) among the three species of sea turtles captured by trawling in coastal waters off SC, GA, and northern FL.
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