Characterizing the wellness of Chelonians: natural history, clinical pathology, and pathogen presence

Deteriorating wildlife health threatens the sustainability and successfulness of conservation efforts as has been observed in wildlife with White Nose Syndrome, Ranavirus, and Snake Fungal Disease. Furthermore, extinction... [ view full abstract ]

Deteriorating wildlife health threatens the sustainability and successfulness of conservation efforts as has been observed in wildlife with White Nose Syndrome, Ranavirus, and Snake Fungal Disease. Furthermore, extinction events due to disease, while rare in wildlife, have been documented in both a species of land snail (Partula turgida) due to a parasite infestation and the sharp-snouted day frog (Taudactylus acutirostris) due to chytridiomycosis. In both cases, disease outbreaks led to rapid catastrophic declines from which populations could not recover. Neither study described the wellness of individuals in the population prior to the outbreak, which may have allowed a more concerted effort to mitigate disease impact. Conserving the wellness of these populations is integral to conserving ecosystems and assessing recovery efforts.
We investigated the body condition index in 65 free-ranging Eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) from four locations in Vermillion County, IL using computed tomography (CT). Physical examinations were performed to determine morphometric measurements and CT scans measured body fat. Twenty-three linear models were evaluated, the top predicted body fat as a measure of mass and carapace width (CW). A comparative health assessment (hematology and biochemistries) was employed in 825 Eastern box turtles in east central Illinois and Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The top model included the main effects of year, location, and sex. Spatial analysis of turtles in Tennessee demonstrated increased WBC and decreased PCV in 2011 associated with a clear-cut silviculture site. A survey was conducted including 383 animals from four different sites in Illinois. Blood samples and oral swabs were collected and quantitative PCR for eight different pathogens was performed in a multiplex format. qPCR prevalence ranged from 0-50% depending on site, season, and year. Co-pathogen presence was common, and minimal clinical signs were observed. Studies that characterize wellness help to inform management decisions that improve conservation efforts.