title: Hematologic and physiologic reference ranges for free-ranging adult and young common loons (Gavia immer).
abstract: Wild common loons (Gavia immer) were captured across much of their southern North American range. Hematologic and physiologic data were collected to establish reference ranges for adults and chicks from four geographic areas: New England, Canadian Maritimes, south-central Quebec, and the Upper Great Lakes. Mean body mass and blood-glucose levels of adult loons varied among geographic regions. Chicks had lower PCV and total solids than adult loons, and also had faster heart rates and higher blood glucose levels. Although mean body mass in males was consistently greater than in females, hematologic and physiologic reference ranges between sexes were not significantly different. Geographic and age-related differences exist in common loon hematologic and physiologic reference ranges and should be considered when assessing such parameters.
authors.affiliation: Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, Wildlife Clinic, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, Massachusetts 01536, USA.
authors.forename: Holly J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Haefele
authors.forename: Inga
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sidor
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Evers
authors.forename: Darcy E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Hoyt
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Pokras
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology; D001717:Birds / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose