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10 September 2008 Comparison of Hematological Stress Indicators in Recently Captured and Captive Paedomorphic Mole Salamanders, Ambystoma talpoideum
Andrew K. Davis, John C. Maerz
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Abstract

Measuring stress in animals is an important component of many research studies, and it has traditionally been performed via sampling levels of corticosterone in plasma. A secondary, “hematological” approach used most commonly by researchers of birds, mammals, and other taxa involves evaluating leukocyte profiles from blood smears. Such research has shown that leukocytes have a characteristic response to stress, although in amphibians this phenomenon is not as well studied. In general, stress can induce a rise in the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes. We evaluated the hematological response of paedomorphic Mole Salamanders (Ambystoma talpoideum) to captivity stress, specifically focusing on this parameter, but also examining other white blood cell types. Individuals captured in the wild and held in captivity for ten days before sampling had significantly more neutrophils, fewer lymphocytes, and higher ratios of neutrophils to lymphocytes than those captured from the same locations and sampled within one hour. Captive individuals also had significantly higher numbers of eosinophils. These results are consistent with hematological research in birds and other taxa and highlight the utility of this approach for measuring stress in amphibians.

2008 by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
Andrew K. Davis and John C. Maerz "Comparison of Hematological Stress Indicators in Recently Captured and Captive Paedomorphic Mole Salamanders, Ambystoma talpoideum," Copeia 2008(3), 613-617, (10 September 2008). https://doi.org/10.1643/CP-07-133
Received: 13 June 2007; Accepted: 1 December 2007; Published: 10 September 2008
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