Hematology, Plasma Biochemistry, Protein Electrophoresis, and Pathogen Surveillance in Headstarted and Wild-Reared Populations of Blanding's Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) in Three Northern Illinois, USA, Counties

Alexis Davidson; Michelle W Kendall; Maura Ryan; Kayla Ladez; Samantha Bradley; Carley Lionetto; William Graser; Gary Glowacki; Daniel Thompson; Richard B King; Callie K Golba; Kaitlin Moorhead; Laura Adamovicz; Matthew C Allender

doi:10.7589/JWD-D-23-00194

Hematology, Plasma Biochemistry, Protein Electrophoresis, and Pathogen Surveillance in Headstarted and Wild-Reared Populations of Blanding's Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) in Three Northern Illinois, USA, Counties

J Wildl Dis. 2024 Nov 27. doi: 10.7589/JWD-D-23-00194. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Wildlife Epidemiology Lab, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2001 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA.
² Forest Preserve District of Kane County, 1996 S. Kirk Rd., Geneva, Illinois 60134, USA.
³ Lake County Forest Preserve District, 1899 W. Winchester Rd., Libertyville, Illinois 60048, USA.
⁴ Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, 3S580 Naperville Rd., Wheaton, Illinois 60189, USA.
⁵ Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, Montgomery Hall, 1425 W. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb, Illinois 60115, USA.
⁶ Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2001 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA.
⁷ Brookfield Zoo, Chicago Zoological Society, 3300 Golf Rd., Brookfield, Illinois 60513, USA.

PMID: 39591981
DOI: 10.7589/JWD-D-23-00194

Abstract

Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) are a species of conservation concern throughout their natural range. Headstarting is a common chelonian conservation technique in which neonates are reared in managed-care settings before release, but health assessments are rarely incorporated. From 2020 to 2021 we assessed headstarted turtle health pre-release and 1 mo, 1 yr, and 2 yr after release using physical examination, hematology, plasma biochemistry, protein electrophoresis, and pathogen detection. Results were compared to wild-reared juveniles in the same habitats. Overall, 767 assessments from 561 turtles were included. Wild-reared and 2 yr post-release headstarts had higher incidence of hemoparasites, asymmetrical nares, and increased creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase activities (P<0.05) compared to all other groups. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and heterophil:lymphocyte ratio were greater, while total leukocyte and lymphocyte counts were lower (P<0.05) in pre-release headstarts compared to wild-reared juveniles. Total solids, albumin, and beta globulins were higher, while the calcium:phosphorous ratio was lower (P<0.05) in pre-release headstarts and wild-reared juveniles vs. other groups. Bile acid levels were highest in pre-release headstarts (P<0.05). Body condition and gamma globulins increased following release, while alpha globulins and the albumin:globulin ratio decreased following release (P<0.05). Two pre-release and one post-release headstart tested positive for Emydomyces testavorans, one post-release headstart was positive for Mycoplasmopsis sp., and nine post-release turtles were positive for adenoviruses. Overall, rearing conditions have a profound and temporally dynamic impact on Blanding's health assessment parameters. Future studies should evaluate long-term impacts on morbidity and mortality to support positive health status and conservation outcomes.

Keywords: Emydoidea blandingii; Biochemistry; Blanding’s turtles; headstart; hematology; pathogen surveillance; protein electrophoresis.