Evaluation of pulmonary function in European land tortoises using whole-body plethysmography.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of whole-body plethysmography as a non-invasive method to determine the respiratory parameters and profiles in two tortoise species belonging to the genus Testudo. Pulmonary functions and volumetric parameters were determined in 10 adults of Testudo hermanni and in seven Testudo marginata animals, using whole-body plethysmography. A profile pattern was regularly observed: an inspiratory flow peak, an expiratory peak, an apnoea phase and a second expiratory peak, previous to the beginning of the next respiratory cycle. Positive and significant correlation was observed between the inspiratory time, weight and length of the tortoises. Larger tortoises showed a higher time of inhalation. The peak of inspiratory flow was correlated with the sex, being longer in the females. T. marginata had an inspiratory time longer than that of T. hermanii. In T. hermanii, differences related to the sex were observed in the tidal volume, peak inspiratory flow, peak expiratory flow, expiratory flow of 50 per cent and enhanced pause, which could be related to the smaller size of males. The results suggest that additional information on new technologies currently used in pet medicine or even in human medicine should be developed and adjusted as alternative ways to support the rehabilitation of turtles and tortoises.

Morphology, cytochemical staining, and ultrastructural characteristics of the blood cells of the giant lizard of El Hierro (Gallotia simonyi).

The object of this study was to examine the erythrocytes, leukocytes and thrombocytes of the giant lizard of El Hierro (Gallotia simonyi) by light and electron (TEM) microscopy, and cytochemical staining. Smears were prepared from blood from the ventral coccygeal vein of 10 healthy adult lizards (five males and five females) from the Giant Lizard of El Hierro Reproduction and Research Centre, Canary Islands, Spain. The cytochemical stains used were: benzidine peroxidase (BP), chloroacetate esterase (CAE), alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE), acid phosphatase (AP), periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), toluidine blue (TB) and May-Grünwald-Giemsa (MGG). Electron microscopy was also performed on all samples. Heterophils had granules that were heterogeneous in both size and electron density, and stained with BP, PAS and ANAE. Eosinophil granules were homogeneously electron-dense and stained for AP, CAE and ANAE. Basophils had both highly and moderately electron-dense granules, and stained with TB and ANAE. Azurophil granules were of low electron-density and stained for AP, CAE and ANAE. Azurophil cytoplasm was vacuolated on TEM. The cytoplasm of lymphocytes contained many ribosomes and was positive for AP. Monocytes had a large nucleus and a vacuolated cytoplasm but did not stain by any of the cytochemical methods used. Thrombocytes had a relatively large nucleus but little cytoplasm; they did not stain cytochemically. The blood cells of the giant lizards of El Hierro differ from those of other members of the Order Squamata both morphologically and cytochemically. The variation in cytochemical responses in the blood of reptiles makes it necessary to study species individually if meaningful clinical decisions are to be made.

Comparative haematology and blood chemistry of endangered lizards (Gallotia species) in the Canary Islands.

Blood samples were taken from the ventral coccygeal vein of 15 El Hierro giant lizards (Gallotia simonyi) (seven females and eight males), six La Gomera giant lizards (Gallotia bravoana) (four males and two females) and four Tenerife giant lizards (Gallotia intermedia) (two males and two females), and 31 blood parameters were measured. Among the haematological parameters there were significant differences between the three species in heterophils, azurophils and lymphocytes, but no significant differences in red blood cell count, white blood cell count, haemoglobin, packed-cell volume, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils. In terms of blood chemistry there were significant differences between the three species in cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, sodium, chloride, urea, uric acid, total proteins, prealbumin, albumin and gamma globulins, but no significant differences in calcium, potassium, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatine kinase, bile acids, alpha-1 and alpha-2 globulins and beta globulins.

Assessment and conservation of the giant gomeran lizard (Gallotia bravoana).

In June 1999, a species of lizard previously considered extinct was rediscovered on the island of La Gomera, Spain. The giant gomeran lizard, Gallotia bravoana, is highly endangered and at risk of extinction by the feral cat population. A conservation effort to save the species was initiatived by the regional and central Spanish government and six lizards were captured and brought into captivity. This paper describes the results of the initial assessment of the health of the animals, by a physical examination and by haematological, biochemical, radiographical and coprological investigations. The methods used to maintain the animals in captivity are described and the first captive breeding success is reported.

Adenovirus hepatitis in a boa constrictor (Boa constrictor).

A boa constrictor was submitted for postmortem evaluation. At necropsy, there were no substantial lesions except in the liver. Light microscopy revealed severe multifocal to coalescing coagulative necrotic hepatitis, with basophilic and eosinophilic intranuclear inclusions in hepatocytes within the necrotic foci. The histopathological findings suggested a viral hepatitis. An adenoviral infection was diagnosed by means of transmission electronic microscopy and in situ hybridization techniques.

Comparative study on the fatty acid composition of two marine vertebrates: striped dolphins and loggerhead turtles.

The fatty acid composition of total lipids extracted from seven different tissues (fat, liver, cerebrum, cerebellum, lung, kidney and muscle) of 10 striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) (weight 75.7 +/- 16.2 kg) found dead or moribund during a morbillivirus epizootic, and from two tissues (fat and liver) of 54 loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) (18.5 +/- 10.5 kg) seized dead after illegal capture, both from the Mediterranean Sea, have been determined by high resolution chromatography techniques. When comparing both species, fatty acid composition is surprisingly similar, with a predominance of the monoenoic followed by the saturated group of fatty acids, and a very close ratio of polyunsaturates n-3/n-6. The relatively high arachidonic acid content in the liver of the two marine species is remarkable. The similar diet can play an important role in these findings, but it is suggested that probably metabolic pathways and essential fatty acid requirements between both marine vertebrates are similar, more than is expected from their earlier filogenetic evolutionary divergence.