Validation of a Rapid Visual-Assessment Technique for Categorizing the Body Condition of Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the Field

Copeia ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan A. Thomson ◽  
Derek Burkholder ◽  
Michael R. Heithaus ◽  
Lawrence M. Dill
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Visual Assessment ◽  
The Body ◽  
Assessment Technique ◽  
Green Turtles

Monitoring green sea turtles in Brazilian feeding areas: relating body condition index to fibropapillomatosis prevalence

2019 ◽  
Vol 99 (8) ◽  
pp. 1879-1887 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silmara Rossi ◽  
Angélica María Sánchez-Sarmiento ◽  
Robson Guimarães dos Santos ◽  
Roberta Ramblas Zamana ◽  
Fabiola Eloisa Setim Prioste ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Sea Turtles ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Condition Index ◽  
Green Sea Turtles ◽  
Green Turtles

AbstractFibropapillomatosis (FP) can be an important conservation threat to green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) due to its widespread distribution and complex aetiology. Thus, understanding the impacts of FP in sea turtle populations is a research priority towards conservation efforts. The body condition index (BCI), based on straight carapace length (SCL) and body mass (BM), is an accurate indicator of body-nutritional condition that can be used in routine green turtle health evaluations. This study aimed to compare BCI in FP-free (N = 369) and FP-affected (N = 518) green turtles from Brazilian feeding areas. Body condition indices were evaluated in terms of the South-west Atlantic Fibropapillomatosis Score – FPSSWA (mild, moderate and severe), study sites (five Brazilian states), origin (intentional capture, fishery, stranding and afloat) and sex (when known). Curved and straight carapace lengths, and body mass were recorded in order to calculate BCI. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in BCI among green turtles from different study areas (P = 0.02), and lower BCI values in FP-free than in FP-positive individuals (P < 0.0001). With regards to origin, the highest BCI was found in the intentional capture group (N = 245; 1.47 ± 0.16), followed by fishery (N = 180; 1.46 ± 0.20). Analysis according to sex revealed a higher mean BCI among females than males (P < 0.017). This study provides relevant data on the health and nutritional status of green turtles along the Brazilian coast, in important feeding areas for this species.

Reproductive investment by green turtles nesting on Ascension Island

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 1098-1103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graeme C. Hays ◽  
Colin R. Adams ◽  
John R. Speakman
Keyword(s):  
Egg Size ◽  
Reproductive Investment ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
The Body ◽  
Adult Size ◽  
Green Turtles ◽  
Female Body Size ◽  
Ascension Island ◽  
Egg Chamber ◽  
The Relationship

Clutch sizes and egg sizes were measured for green turtles (Chelonia mydas) nesting on Ascension Island in the South Atlantic (7°57′S, 14 °22′W) in 1992. The mean number of eggs per clutch was 127.5 (SD = 22.9; n = 46 clutches). The number of eggs per clutch increased in larger turtles and declined as the nesting season progressed. Mean egg size was 45.5 mm (SD = 1.45 mm; n = 47 clutches). Three turtles laid significantly smaller eggs than the rest of the sample. When these three clutches were removed from the analysis, mean egg size increased in larger turtles. When the effect of female body size was removed there was no relationship between the number and size of the eggs in a clutch. The depth from the top to the bottom of the egg chamber, the depth from the top of the egg chamber to the topmost egg, and the depth of the body pit were all independent of adult size. Egg size varied systematically within clutches, the largest eggs being laid first and the smallest eggs last. This intraclutch variation in egg size had important consequences for the calculated gradient of the relationship between egg size and adult size.

scholarly journals Fine scale geographic residence and annual primary production drive body condition of wild immature green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in Martinique Island (Lesser Antilles)

Biology Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. bio048058 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Bonola ◽  
Marc Girondot ◽  
Jean-Patrice Robin ◽  
Jordan Martin ◽  
Flora Siegwalt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Production ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Lesser Antilles ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Green Turtles ◽  
Annual Primary Production

Stock composition of green turtles Chelonia mydas foraging in the Ryukyu Archipelago differs with size class

2018 ◽  
Vol 600 ◽  
pp. 151-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Hamabata ◽  
H Nishizawa ◽  
I Kawazu ◽  
K Kameda ◽  
N Kamezaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Size Class ◽  
Ryukyu Archipelago ◽  
Green Turtles

scholarly journals Plasma proteomics of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) reveals pathway shifts and potential biomarker candidates associated with health and disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David P Marancik ◽  
Justin R Perrault ◽  
Lisa M Komoroske ◽  
Jamie A Stoll ◽  
Kristina N Kelley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Protein Abundance ◽  
Plasma Samples ◽  
Important Species ◽  
Green Turtles ◽  
Rehabilitation Programs ◽  
Potential Biomarker ◽  
Health And Disease

Abstract Evaluating sea turtle health can be challenging due to an incomplete understanding of pathophysiologic responses in these species. Proteome characterization of clinical plasma samples can provide insights into disease progression and prospective biomarker targets. A TMT-10-plex-LC–MS/MS platform was used to characterize the plasma proteome of five, juvenile, green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and compare qualitative and quantitative protein changes during moribund and recovered states. The 10 plasma samples yielded a total of 670 unique proteins. Using ≥1.2-fold change in protein abundance as a benchmark for physiologic upregulation or downregulation, 233 (34.8%) were differentially regulated in at least one turtle between moribund and recovered states. Forty-six proteins (6.9%) were differentially regulated in all five turtles with two proteins (0.3%) demonstrating a statistically significant change. A principle component analysis showed protein abundance loosely clustered between moribund samples or recovered samples and for turtles that presented with trauma (n = 3) or as intestinal floaters (n = 2). Gene Ontology terms demonstrated that moribund samples were represented by a higher number of proteins associated with blood coagulation, adaptive immune responses and acute phase response, while recovered turtle samples included a relatively higher number of proteins associated with metabolic processes and response to nutrients. Abundance levels of 48 proteins (7.2%) in moribund samples significantly correlated with total protein, albumin and/or globulin levels quantified by biochemical analysis. Differentially regulated proteins identified with immunologic and physiologic functions are discussed for their possible role in the green turtle pathophysiologic response and for their potential use as diagnostic biomarkers. These findings enhance our ability to interpret sea turtle health and further progress conservation, research and rehabilitation programs for these ecologically important species.

scholarly journals Dietary analysis of two sympatric marine turtle species in the eastern Mediterranean

2021 ◽  
Vol 168 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Josie L. Palmer ◽  
Damla Beton ◽  
Burak A. Çiçek ◽  
Sophie Davey ◽  
Emily M. Duncan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Green Turtle ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Marine Turtle ◽  
Dietary Analysis ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
Turtle Species ◽  
Dietary Shift ◽  
Green Turtles ◽  
Loggerhead Turtles

AbstractDietary studies provide key insights into threats and changes within ecosystems and subsequent impacts on focal species. Diet is particularly challenging to study within marine environments and therefore is often poorly understood. Here, we examined the diet of stranded and bycaught loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in North Cyprus (35.33° N, 33.47° E) between 2011 and 2019. A total of 129 taxa were recorded in the diet of loggerhead turtles (n = 45), which were predominantly carnivorous (on average 72.1% of dietary biomass), foraging on a large variety of invertebrates, macroalgae, seagrasses and bony fish in low frequencies. Despite this opportunistic foraging strategy, one species was particularly dominant, the sponge Chondrosia reniformis (21.5%). Consumption of this sponge decreased with increasing turtle size. A greater degree of herbivory was found in green turtles (n = 40) which predominantly consumed seagrasses and macroalgae (88.8%) with a total of 101 taxa recorded. The most dominant species was a Lessepsian invasive seagrass, Halophila stipulacea (31.1%). This is the highest percentage recorded for this species in green turtle diet in the Mediterranean thus far. With increasing turtle size, the percentage of seagrass consumed increased with a concomitant decrease in macroalgae. Seagrass was consumed year-round. Omnivory occurred in all green turtle size classes but reduced in larger turtles (> 75 cm CCL) suggesting a slow ontogenetic dietary shift. Macroplastic ingestion was more common in green (31.6% of individuals) than loggerhead turtles (5.7%). This study provides the most complete dietary list for marine turtles in the eastern Mediterranean.

scholarly journals Relation of Automated Body Condition Scoring System and Inline Biomarkers (Milk Yield, β-Hydroxybutyrate, Lactate Dehydrogenase and Progesterone in Milk) with Cow’s Pregnancy Success

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1414
Author(s):  
Ramūnas Antanaitis ◽  
Vida Juozaitienė ◽  
Dovilė Malašauskienė ◽  
Mindaugas Televičius ◽  
Mingaudas Urbutis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lactate Dehydrogenase ◽  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
The Body ◽  
Time Analyzer ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Pregnancy Status ◽  
Body Condition Scoring

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the relation of automatically determined body condition score (BCS) and inline biomarkers such as β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), milk yield (MY), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and progesterone (mP4) with the pregnancy success of cows. The cows (n = 281) had 2.1 ± 0.1. lactations on average, were 151.6 ± 0.06 days postpartum, and were once tested with “Easy scan” ultrasound (IMV imaging, Scotland) at 30–35 d post-insemination. According to their reproductive status, cows were grouped into two groups: non-pregnant (n = 194 or 69.0% of cows) and pregnant (n = 87 or 31.0% of cows). Data concerning their BCS, mP4, MY, BHB, and LDH were collected each day from the day of insemination for 7 days. The BCS was collected with body condition score camera (DeLaval Inc., Tumba, Sweden); mP4, MY, BHB, and LDH were collected with the fully automated real-time analyzer Herd Navigator™ (Lattec I/S, Hillerød, Denmark) in combination with a DeLaval milking robot (DeLaval Inc., Tumba, Sweden). Of all the biomarkers, three differences between groups were significant. The body condition score (BCS) of the pregnant cows was higher (+0.49 score), the milk yield (MY) was lower (−4.36 kg), and milk progesterone in pregnant cows was (+6.11 ng/mL) higher compared to the group of non-pregnant cows (p < 0.001). The pregnancy status of the cows was associated with their BCS assessment (p < 0.001). We estimated that cows with BCS > 3.2 were 22 times more likely to have reproductive success than cows with BCS ≤ 3.2.

scholarly journals Ecological and Physiological Factors Affecting Brood Patch Area and Prolactin Levels in Arctic-Nesting Geese

The Auk ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 123 (2) ◽  
pp. 405-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jón Einar Jónsson ◽  
Alan D. Afton ◽  
Ray T. Alisauskas ◽  
Cynthia K. Bluhm ◽  
Mohamed E. El Halawani
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
The Body ◽  
Nest Size ◽  
Patch Area ◽  
Physiological Factors ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Chen Caerulescens ◽  
Brood Patch ◽  
Snow Geese ◽  
Ross's Geese

AbstractWe investigated effects of ecological and physiological factors on brood patch area and prolactin levels in free-ranging Lesser Snow Geese (Chen caerulescens caerulescens; hereafter “Snow Geese”) and Ross's Geese (C. rossii). On the basis of the body-size hypothesis, we predicted that the relationships between prolactin levels, brood patch area, and body condition would be stronger in Ross's Geese than in the larger Snow Geese. We found that brood patch area was positively related to clutch volume and inversely related to prolactin levels in Ross's Geese, but not in Snow Geese. Nest size, nest habitat, and first egg date did not affect brood patch area in either species. Prolactin levels increased as incubation progressed in female Snow Geese, but this relationship was not significant in Ross's Geese. Prolactin levels and body condition (as indexed by size-adjusted body mass) were inversely related in Ross's Geese, but not in Snow Geese. Our findings are consistent with the prediction that relationships between prolactin levels, brood patch area, and body condition are relatively stronger in Ross's Geese, because they mobilize endogenous reserves at faster rates than Snow Geese.Factores Ecológicos y Fisiológicos que Afectan el Área del Parche de Incubación y los Niveles de Prolactina en Gansos Nidificantes del Ártico

The impact of fibropapillomatosis on clinical characteristics, blood gas, plasma biochemistry, and hematological profiles in juvenile green turtles ( Chelonia mydas)

2020 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 723-734
Author(s):  
Tsung-Hsien Li ◽  
Chao-Chin Chang
Keyword(s):  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Extracellular Fluid ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Blood Gas ◽  
Green Turtles ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a tumor- forming disease that afflicts all marine turtles and is the most common in green turtles (Chelonia mydas). In this study, the morphometric characteristics, blood gas, biochemistry, and hematological profiles of 28 (6 FP-positive and 22 FP-negative) green turtles from the coast of Taiwan were investigated. The results indicated that body weight ( P < 0.001) and curved carapace length (CCL; P < 0.001) in green turtles with FP were significantly higher than in turtles without FP. Furthermore, green turtles with FP had a significantly lower value of hemoglobin (HB; P = 0.010) and packed cell volume (PCV; P = 0.005) than turtles without FP. Blood cell counts of white blood cells (WBC; P = 0.008) and lymphocytes ( P = 0.022) were observed with significant difference; green turtles with FP had lower counts than turtles without FP. In addition, turtles with FP had significantly higher pH ( P = 0.036), base excess in extracellular fluid (BEecf; P = 0.012), bicarbonate (HCO3– ; P = 0.008), and total carbon dioxide (TCO2 ; P = 0.025) values than turtles without FP. The findings of this study provide valuable clinical parameters for the medical care of the species in sea turtle rehabilitation centers and help us to understand the physiological response of green turtles to different tumor-forming conditions.

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