title: Underwater anesthesia of diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) for measurement of auditory evoked potentials.
abstract: Investigations into the biology of aquatic and semiaquatic species, including those involving sensory specialization, often require creative solutions to novel questions. We developed a technique for safely anesthetizing a semiaquatic chelonian species, the diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin), for measurement of auditory evoked potentials while animals were completely submerged in water. Custom-modified endotracheal tubes were used to obtain a watertight seal on both sides of the glottis and prevent aspiration of water during testing. No adverse effects were seen after the procedures, and assessment of venous blood-gas partial pressures and lactate concentrations indicated that sufficient gas exchange was maintained under anesthesia through manual ventilation.
authors.affiliation: North Carolina State University, Center for Marine Sciences and Technology, Morehead City, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Emily F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Christiansen
authors.affiliation: Duke University Marine Laboratory, Nicholas School of the Environment, Beaufort, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Wendy E D
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Piniak
authors.affiliation: Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Lori A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Lester
authors.affiliation: North Carolina State University, Center for Marine Sciences and Technology, Morehead City, North Carolina, USA. craig_harms@ncsu.edu.
authors.forename: Craig A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Harms
mesh_terms: D000758:Anesthesia / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D020927:Dexmedetomidine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory; D005260:Female; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007649:Ketamine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D014426:Turtles / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D020927:Dexmedetomidine; D007649:Ketamine