| Autor: |
Aplasca AC; 1 The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, 1920 Coffey Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA., Titus V; 2 Wildlife Conservation Society, Department of Herpetology, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx, New York 10460, USA., Ossiboff RJ; 3 Wildlife Conservation Society, Zoological Health Program, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx, New York 10460, USA., Murphy L; 4 Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System, New Bolton Center Toxicology Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, 382 W Street Road, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania 19348, USA., Seimon TA; 3 Wildlife Conservation Society, Zoological Health Program, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx, New York 10460, USA., Ingerman K; 3 Wildlife Conservation Society, Zoological Health Program, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx, New York 10460, USA., Moser WE; 5 Department of Invertebrate Zoology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, 4210 Silver Hill Road, Suitland, Maryland 20746, USA., Calle PP; 3 Wildlife Conservation Society, Zoological Health Program, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx, New York 10460, USA., Iv JMS; 3 Wildlife Conservation Society, Zoological Health Program, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx, New York 10460, USA. |
| Abstrakt: |
The Bronx River in Bronx, New York, US spans an area of significant human development and has been subject to historic and ongoing industrial contamination. We evaluated the health of freeranging native common snapping turtles ( Chelydra serpentina) and nonnative invasive red-eared sliders ( Trachemys scripta) in a segment of the Bronx River between May and July 2012. In 18 snapping turtles and nine sliders, complete physical examinations were performed, ectoparasites collected, and blood was analyzed for contaminants (mercury, thallium, cadmium, arsenic, lead, selenium, oxychlordane, alpha-chlordane, dieldrin, DDD, DDE, polychlorinated biphenyls). Complete blood counts and the presence of hemoparasites were determined in 16 snapping turtles and nine sliders. Swabs of the choana and cloaca were screened for ranavirus, adenovirus, herpesvirus, and Mycoplasma spp. by PCR in 39 snapping turtles and 28 sliders. Both turtle species exhibited bioaccumulation of various environmental contaminants, particularly organochlorines and polychlorinated biphenyls. Molecular screening revealed a unique herpesvirus in each species. A Mycoplasma sp. previously isolated from emydid turtles was detected in red-eared sliders while a unique Mycoplasma sp. was identified in common snapping turtles. Ranaviruses and adenoviruses were not detected. Our study established a baseline health assessment to which future data can be compared. Moreover, it served to expand the knowledge and patterns of health markers, environmental contaminants, and microorganisms of freeranging chelonians. |
