title: Health assessment of free-ranging alligator snapping turtles (Macrochelys temminckii) in Georgia and Florida.
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.
authors.affiliation: Wildlife Health Center, University of California-Davis, One Shields Ave., Davis, California 95616, USA. kcinsd@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chaffin
authors.forename: Terry M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Norton
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gilardi
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Poppenga
authors.forename: John B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moler
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cray
authors.forename: Ellen S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Dierenfeld
authors.forename: Tai
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Marcie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oliva
authors.forename: Francesco C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Origgi
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gibbs
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mazzaro
authors.forename: Jonna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mazet
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D017753:Ecosystem; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012621:Seasons; D012737:Sex Factors; D014426:Turtles / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology*