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1 April 2012 HEMATOLOGIC AND SERUM BIOCHEMICAL VALUES OF GRAVID FRESHWATER AUSTRALIAN CHELONIANS
T. Franciscus Scheelings, Anthony R. Rafferty
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Abstract

Hematologic and serum biochemical analyses were performed on 30 wild-caught, gravid, Australian freshwater chelonians. Species sampled were western long-necked turtles (Chelodina oblonga; n=13), common long-necked turtles (Chelodina longicollis; n=8), and Murray River turtles (Emydura macquarii; n=9). Turtles were obtained from Lake Goolellal in Perth, Western Australia (C. oblonga), and Lake Coranderrk in Healesville, Victoria (C. longicollis and E. macquarii). All turtles were considered healthy at the time of sample collection. Blood results were similar to those reported in other freshwater chelonians, with the exception of elevated calcium levels in all species. Hypercalcemia was attributed to egg development and maturation. A hemoparasite morphologically resembling Haemogregarina clelandi was found in all C. oblonga samples and in four C. longicollis samples. Infection with H. clelandi appeared to have no physiological effects on blood parameters or morphometrics of infected turtles. Blood parameters were also considered poor indicators of female chelonian morphometrics and fecundity.

T. Franciscus Scheelings and Anthony R. Rafferty "HEMATOLOGIC AND SERUM BIOCHEMICAL VALUES OF GRAVID FRESHWATER AUSTRALIAN CHELONIANS," Journal of Wildlife Diseases 48(2), 314-321, (1 April 2012). https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-48.2.314
Received: 2 August 2011; Accepted: 1 October 2011; Published: 1 April 2012
KEYWORDS
biochemistry
Chelodina longicollis
Chelodina oblonga
common long-necked turtle
Emydura macquarii
hematology
Murray River turtle
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