DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/dao02765
copiedRelating fibropapilloma tumor severity to blood parameters in green turtles Chelonia mydas
ABSTRACT: Fibropapillomatosis is a neoplastic disease that is commonly found in the green turtles Chelonia mydas in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. In the current project, juvenile green turtles were captured with large-mesh tangle nets in the Indian River Lagoon and on nearshore reefs of Indian River County, Florida, USA, in 1998 and 1999. The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between the severity of the disease and the general health of green turtles as indicated by blood parameters. All turtles were measured and examined, and the overall severity of the disease was rated by the size, number, and location of external fibropapilloma tumors. Hematocrit, total protein, and hemoglobin concentration were measured and compared with tumor scores (tumor severity appraisal). As the tumor score increased, the blood parameters of turtles decreased; for instance, the percentage of decrease in hematocrit for mildly afflicted, moderately afflicted, and severely afflicted groups were 2.6, 18.3, and 45.5%, respectively. Severely afflicted turtles suffered from anemia, while individuals with mild affliction did not.
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Shigetomo Hirama (Corresponding Author)
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Wildlife Research Institute, 9700 South A1A, Melbourne Beach, Florida 32951, USA
Llewellyn M. Ehrhart (Co-author)
- Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816, USA
Lorrie D. Rea (Co-author)
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, Marine Mammals Section, 245 O’Neill Building, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775, USA
Richard A. Kiltie (Co-author)
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Wildlife Research Lab, 1105 SW Williston Road, Gainesville, Florida 32601, USA
