How to translate text using browser tools
9 April 2019 Hematology and Plasma Biochemistry of Wild Spectacled Flying Foxes (Pteropus conspicillatus) in Australia
Lee McMichael, Daniel Edson, Adam McKeown, Cecilia Sánchez, David Mayer, Steven Kopp, Joanne Meers, Hume Field
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

The spectacled flying fox (Pteropus conspicillatus) is listed as vulnerable to extinction in Australia. The species' restricted population is in decline, putatively attributed to decreasing habitat, climatic extremes, anthropogenic activities, and more recently, mass mortality events associated with tick paralysis and neonatal cleft palate syndrome. Knowledge of fundamental physiologic parameters of the species is limited. To address this knowledge gap, we sampled 50 wild-caught adult spectacled flying foxes in June (winter) in Far North Queensland, Australia. Hematologic and plasma biochemistry reference ranges were established, and a suite of urine biochemistry analytes were measured. Analyte values were compared within spectacled flying fox sex cohorts and between the spectacled flying fox and the paraphyletic black flying fox (Pteropus alecto). Significant differences in multiple analytes (including erythrocyte, leucocyte, plasma, and urine biochemistry) were found between spectacled flying fox sex cohorts. The majority of spectacled flying fox analyte values did not differ significantly from black flying fox values. Of those analytes that differed between species (erythrocyte, platelet, eosinophil, liver enzyme, and triglyceride levels), the majority were plausibly explained by intraerythrocyte parasite burden and food resource type. Our findings provide baseline data essential to measure and meaningfully interpret flying fox population health in ecologic, conservation, and epidemiologic contexts.

© Wildlife Disease Association 2019
Lee McMichael, Daniel Edson, Adam McKeown, Cecilia Sánchez, David Mayer, Steven Kopp, Joanne Meers, and Hume Field "Hematology and Plasma Biochemistry of Wild Spectacled Flying Foxes (Pteropus conspicillatus) in Australia," Journal of Wildlife Diseases 55(2), 449-454, (9 April 2019). https://doi.org/10.7589/2018-04-096
Received: 7 April 2018; Accepted: 11 June 2018; Published: 9 April 2019
KEYWORDS
biochemistry
black flying fox
hematology
Pteropus alecto
Pteropus conspicillatus
spectacled flying fox
urinalysis
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top