College
FWC
Mentor Information
Rebecca Hardman
Description
Necropsies are vital for providing researchers with more information on the underlying conditions that cause disease and death in wildlife. A standard herpetological necropsy, like any necropsy, requires one to look objectively at each specimen, without preconceived expectations as to the cause, beginning with thorough internal and external examination of organs and tissues. This summer, I conducted 15 Chelonian (turtle and tortoise) necropsies. Species included gopher tortoise (n=11), and seral freshwater turtle species (n=4). Beyond gross examination, I collected cloacal/oral swabs, liver, lung, kidney, spleen, and brain for potential testing. Most were in good condition. We found a range of lesions, which will be expanded upon, that appear representative of hemorrhage within several tissues, the majority seen externally in in the plastron as well as internally within the oral cavity and GI tract. Based on gross observations, top differentials include systemic viral disease (n=8) and trauma (n=4). Ancillary diagnostics from collected tissues will be performed including molecular detection of common or emerging pathogens and select toxicological assays. A caveat to these necropsies is histology was not performed due to carcasses being frozen prior to necropsy. These necropsies have provided insight for possible causes of deaths to supplement our understanding of turtle disease and mortality in Florida.
Necropsy Findings Reveal Potential Threats To Native Florida Chelonian Species
Necropsies are vital for providing researchers with more information on the underlying conditions that cause disease and death in wildlife. A standard herpetological necropsy, like any necropsy, requires one to look objectively at each specimen, without preconceived expectations as to the cause, beginning with thorough internal and external examination of organs and tissues. This summer, I conducted 15 Chelonian (turtle and tortoise) necropsies. Species included gopher tortoise (n=11), and seral freshwater turtle species (n=4). Beyond gross examination, I collected cloacal/oral swabs, liver, lung, kidney, spleen, and brain for potential testing. Most were in good condition. We found a range of lesions, which will be expanded upon, that appear representative of hemorrhage within several tissues, the majority seen externally in in the plastron as well as internally within the oral cavity and GI tract. Based on gross observations, top differentials include systemic viral disease (n=8) and trauma (n=4). Ancillary diagnostics from collected tissues will be performed including molecular detection of common or emerging pathogens and select toxicological assays. A caveat to these necropsies is histology was not performed due to carcasses being frozen prior to necropsy. These necropsies have provided insight for possible causes of deaths to supplement our understanding of turtle disease and mortality in Florida.
