scholarly journals Neutral Genetic Processes Influence MHC Evolution in Threatened Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus)

2017 ◽  
Vol 108 (5) ◽  
pp. 515-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean P. Elbers ◽  
Rachel W. Clostio ◽  
Sabrina S. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Gopherus Polyphemus ◽  
Mhc Evolution

scholarly journals Comprehensive health assessment and blood analyte reference intervals of gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) in southeastern FL, USA

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Annie Page-Karjian ◽  
Kathleen Rafferty ◽  
Clerson Xavier ◽  
Nicole I Stacy ◽  
Jon A Moore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Protein ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Keystone Species ◽  
Reference Intervals ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Gopher Tortoise ◽  
Gopherus Polyphemus ◽  
Baseline Information ◽  
Mycoplasma Spp

Abstract The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), a keystone species, is declining throughout its geographic range. Lack of knowledge with respect to the potential infectious diseases present within wild populations creates a dilemma for wildlife biologists, conservationists and public policy makers. The objective of this study was to conduct a health assessment of two previously unstudied gopher tortoise aggregations located at two sites in southeastern FL. Samples were collected from 91 tortoises (48 adults, 35 juveniles, 8 hatchlings) captured at Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, in Fort Pierce, FL, USA in 2019, and Loggerhead Park in Juno Beach, FL, USA, during 2018–2019. Samples of blood, nasal swabs and oral/cloacal swabs were analyzed for hematology, plasma protein electrophoretic profiles and infectious disease testing including Mycoplasma spp. serology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for Ranavirus, Herpesvirus and Anaplasma spp. Hematological and plasma protein electrophoresis reference intervals are presented for adult and juvenile tortoises from both sites combined. Clinical signs consistent with upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) were observed in 18/91 (20%) tortoises, and antibodies to Mycoplasma agassizii were detected in 33/77 (42.9%) tortoises. Adult tortoises were significantly more likely than juveniles to have URTD clinical signs, and statistically significant, positive relationships were observed between the presence of antibodies to Mycoplasma spp. and carapace length, packed cell volume and plasma globulin concentrations. Anaplasma spp. inclusions were observed in 8/82 (10%) tortoises, but PCR detected Anaplasma sp. in 21/83 (25%) tortoises. Herpesvirus and Ranavirus were not detected in any blood or swab samples. This work contributes important baseline information on the health of gopher tortoises toward the southern end of the species’ range.

MHC evolution: a long-term investment in defense

1994 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 390
Author(s):  
Thomas J. Gill
Keyword(s):  
Mhc Evolution

PATTERNS OF MOVEMENT AND BURROW USE IN A POPULATION OF GOPHER TORTOISES (GOPHERUS POLYPHEMUS)

Herpetologica ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeannine Ott Eubanks ◽  
William K. Michener ◽  
Craig Guyer
Keyword(s):  
Gopherus Polyphemus ◽  
Burrow Use

scholarly journals Stopped Dead in Their Tracks: The Impact of Railways on Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Movement and Behavior

Copeia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 106 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhett M. Rautsaw ◽  
Scott A. Martin ◽  
Bridget A. Vincent ◽  
Katelyn Lanctot ◽  
M. Rebecca Bolt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gopher Tortoise ◽  
Gopherus Polyphemus ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The Impact
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document