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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.

Chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5 (ChHV5) is strongly associated with fibropapillomatosis, a
neoplastic disease of sea turtles that can result in debilitation and mortality. The objectives of this
study were to examine green (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), and leatherback
(Dermochelys coriacea) sea turtles in Grenada, West Indies, for fibropapillomatosis and to utilize
ChHV5-specific PCR, degenerate herpesvirus PCR, and serology to non-invasively evaluate the
prevalence of ChHV5 infection and exposure. One-hundred and sixty-seven turtles examined from
2017 to 2019 demonstrated no external fibropapilloma-like lesions and no amplification of ChHV5
DNA from whole blood or skin biopsies. An ELISA performed on serum detected ChHV5-specific IgY
in 18/52 (34.6%) of green turtles tested. In 2020, an adult, female green turtle presented for necropsy
from the inshore waters of Grenada with severe emaciation and cutaneous fibropapillomas. Multiple
tumors tested positive for ChHV5 by qPCR, providing the first confirmed case of ChHV5-associated
fibropapillomatosis in Grenada. These results indicate that active ChHV5 infection is rare, although
viral exposure in green sea turtles is relatively high. The impact of fibropapillomatosis in Grenada is
suggested to be low at the present time and further studies comparing host genetics and immunologic
factors, as well as examination into extrinsic factors that may influence disease, are warranted.

The spreading global sea turtle fibropapillomatosis (FP) epizootic is threatening some of
Earth’s ancient reptiles, adding to the plethora of threats faced by these keystone species. Understanding
this neoplastic disease and its likely aetiological pathogen, chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5
(ChHV5), is crucial to understand how the disease impacts sea turtle populations and species and
the future trajectory of disease incidence. We generated 20 ChHV5 genomes, from three sea turtle
species, to better understand the viral variant diversity and gene evolution of this oncogenic virus.
We revealed previously underappreciated genetic diversity within this virus (with an average of
2035 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 1.54% of the ChHV5 genome) and identified genes
under the strongest evolutionary pressure. Furthermore, we investigated the phylogeny of ChHV5 at
both genome and gene level, confirming the propensity of the virus to be interspecific, with related
variants able to infect multiple sea turtle species. Finally, we revealed unexpected intra-host diversity, with up to 0.15% of the viral genome varying between ChHV5 genomes isolated from different
tumours concurrently arising within the same individual. These findings offer important insights
into ChHV5 biology and provide genomic resources for this oncogenic virus.

Sea turtles face both anthropogenic and natural threats including boat strikes, fisheries,
pollution, and predator attacks. Injuries from anthropogenic sources are more common than
naturally caused injuries. The goal of this study was to determine prevalence and cause (e.g. boat
strike, entanglement, hook, shark bite) of injuries on nesting loggerhead sea turtles Caretta
caretta on Juno and Jupiter beaches, Florida, USA. During the 2019 and 2020 nesting seasons, 450
loggerhead females were examined for external injuries. Injuries were categorized by anatomic
location, condition, and cause. We found that 24% of loggerheads had at least 1 injury. Of the 111
injuries found on 107 nesting females, 88% were healed, 9% were partially healed with some
scarred tissue, and 3% were fresh injuries. Most injuries (55%) were lateral injuries on the carapace
or appendages. We were able to attribute 60 injuries to a specific cause. Boat strikes
accounted for 75% of the 60 injuries, shark bites accounted for 15%, fishing hooks accounted for
7%, and entanglements accounted for the remaining 3%. This study provides new insight into the
prevalence of anthropogenic injuries relative to natural injuries in loggerhead sea turtles nesting
in the most densely nested beach in the Western Hemisphere and can be used to improve conservation
management plans through implementation of fishing and/or boating restrictions in the
nesting and foraging areas most commonly frequented by sea turtles.

Fibropapillomatosis (FP), a debilitating, infectious neoplastic disease, is rarely reported
in endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii). With this study, we describe FP and
the associated chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5 (ChHV5) in Kemp’s ridley turtles encountered in the
United States during 2006–2020. Analysis of 22 case reports of Kemp’s ridley turtles with FP revealed
that while the disease was mild in most cases, 54.5% were adult turtles, a reproductively valuable
age class whose survival is a priority for population recovery. Of 51 blood samples from tumor-free
turtles and 12 tumor samples from turtles with FP, 7.8% and 91.7%, respectively, tested positive for
ChHV5 DNA via quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Viral genome shotgun sequencing
and phylogenetic analysis of six tumor samples show that ChHV5 sequences in Kemp’s ridley
turtles encountered in the Gulf of Mexico and northwestern Atlantic cluster with ChHV5 sequences
identified in green (Chelonia mydas) and loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtles from Hawaii, the southwestern Atlantic Ocean, and the Caribbean. Results suggest an interspecific, spatiotemporal
spread of FP among Kemp’s ridley turtles in regions where the disease is enzootic. Although FP is
currently uncommon in this species, it remains a health concern due to its uncertain pathogenesis
and potential relationship with habitat degradation.

At the time of hatchling emergence from a nest laid on Juno Beach, Florida, US, by a
normally pigmented green turtle (Chelonia mydas), 23 albino hatchlings and 75 normally pigmented
hatchlings were observed. This condition is rarely seen in sea turtles, and little is known about blood
analytes and genetics of albino wildlife to date. Therefore, the objective of our study was to assess and
compare morphometric measurements (mass, minimum straight carapace length, body condition
index), carapacial scute anomalies, a suite of hematologic and plasma biochemical analytes, and two
glucose analysis methodologies (glucometer and dry chemistry analysis) in albino (n¼20) versus
normally pigmented (n¼24) hatchlings from this nest. Genetic analyses were completed to identify
paternal contributions of hatchlings and to test Mendelian inheritance assumptions. Although
morphometric measurements, scute anomalies, and leukocyte morphology were similar between
albino and normally pigmented hatchlings, several differences were observed in blood analyte data:
immature erythrocytes, packed cell volume, heterophil:lymphocyte ratio, and glucose concentrations
(by both methodologies) were significantly higher, whereas absolute immature heterophils, absolute
lymphocytes, number of erythrocyte micronuclei, sodium, and chloride were significantly lower in
albino hatchlings compared with normally pigmented hatchlings. Considerations for these differences
include a stress response from sampling (e.g., timing of procedures or possibly from photosensitivity or
reduced visual acuity in albinos) and different osmoregulation, which may reflect physiologic variations
or stress. There was a small positive bias (0.10 mmol/L) with glucose by glucometer, similar to reports in
other sea turtle species and confirming its suitability for use in hatchlings. All albino hatchlings analyzed
(n¼10) were from the same father, but the normally pigmented hatchlings (n¼24) were from two other
fathers. These findings provide insight into the physiology and genetics of albinism in sea turtles.
Key words: Biochemistry, genotype, glucose, hematology, leucism, method comparison, multiple
paternity, sea turtle.

Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a neoplastic disease most often found in green turtles (Chelonia
mydas). Afflicted turtles are burdened with potentially debilitating tumors concentrated externally on
the soft tissues, plastron, and eyes and internally on the lungs, kidneys, and the heart. Clinical signs
occur at various levels, ranging from mild disease to severe debilitation. Tumors can both progress
and regress in affected turtles, with outcomes ranging from death due to the disease to complete
regression. Since its official description in the scientific literature in 1938, tumor growth rates have
been rarely documented. In addition, FP tumors come in two very different morphologies; yet, to
our knowledge, there have been no quantified differences in growth rates between tumor types.
FP tumors are often rugose in texture, with a polypoid to papillomatous morphology, and may or
may not be pedunculated. In other cases, tumors are smooth, with a skin-like surface texture and
little to no papillose structures. In our study, we assessed growth-rate differences between rugose
and smooth tumor morphologies in a rehabilitation setting. We measured average biweekly tumor
growth over time in green turtles undergoing rehabilitation at the University of Florida Whitney
Laboratory Sea Turtle Hospital in St. Augustine, Florida, and compared growth between rugose and smooth tumors. Our results demonstrate that both rugose and smooth tumors follow a similar
active growth progression pattern, but rugose tumors grew at significantly faster rates (p = 0.013)
than smooth ones. We also documented regression across several examined tumors, ranging from
􀀀0.19% up to 􀀀10.8% average biweekly negative growth. Our study offers a first-ever assessment of
differential growth between tumor morphologies and an additional diagnostic feature that may lead
to a more comprehensive understanding and treatment of the disease. We support the importance of
tumor morphological categorization (rugose versus smooth) being documented in future FP hospital and
field-based health assessments.

Florida pompano (Trachinotus carolinus) are a species of growing interest for commercial
aquaculture. Effective health monitoring is crucial to the successful growout of
the species, and prophylactic and therapeutic use of chemicals and antibiotics has
been the traditional strategy for promoting stock health. However, concerns about
antimicrobial resistance, chemical residues in seafood products and the environment,
and resultant immunosuppression have prompted the industry to identify alternative
management strategies, including supplementation with prebiotics, probiotics, and
combinations of both (synbiotics). The objectives of this study are to determine and
compare hematological, plasma biochemical, and plasma protein electrophoresis data
of synbiotic-supplemented (β-glucan and Pediococcus acidilactici) and nonsupplemented
Florida pompano. Reference intervals for blood analytes are provided
for both groups and for subgroups (females, males, large, and small fish) where statistically
significant results exist. There are no differences between the hematological
and plasma biochemistry analytes between the supplemented and control groups,
except for blood urea nitrogen and carbon dioxide, indicating a possible effect of synbiotic
supplementation on gill function and osmoregulation. Sex-related and sizerelated
differences are observed within each of the control and supplemented
groups; however, biometric measurements do not strongly correlate with blood analytes.
These data represent baseline hematological and plasma biochemical data in
the Florida pompano and indicate the safety of synbiotic supplementation in this
commercially important species. This study serves to further the commercialization
of Florida pompano by providing blood analyte reference intervals for health monitoring
in the aquaculture setting.

Odontocetes obtain nutrients including essential elements through their diet and are exposed to
heavy metal contaminants via ingestion of contaminated prey. We evaluated the prevalence,
concentration, and tissue distribution of essential and non-essential trace elements, including
heavy metal toxicants, in tissue (blubber, kidney, liver, skeletal muscle, skin) and fecal samples
collected from 90 odontocetes, representing nine species, that stranded in Georgia and Florida,
USA during 2007–2021. Samples were analyzed for concentrations of seven essential (cobalt,
copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, zinc) and five non-essential (arsenic, cadmium,
lead, mercury, thallium) elemental analytes using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus) and short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) had
the highest median concentrations of mercury, cadmium, and lead, while dwarf sperm whales
(Kogia sima) had the lowest. Adult pygmy and dwarf sperm whales that stranded in 2019–2021
had higher concentrations of arsenic, copper, iron, lead, manganese, selenium, thallium, and zinc
compared to those that stranded in 2010–2018, suggesting an increasing risk of exposure over
time. The highest concentrations of many elements (e.g., cadmium, cobalt, copper, manganese,
molybdenum, thallium, zinc) were in fecal samples, illustrating the usefulness of this noninvasively
collected sample. Aside from fecal samples, hepatic tissues had the highest concentrations
of iron, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, and selenium in most species; renal tissues
had the highest concentrations of cadmium; skin had the highest concentrations of zinc; and
copper, arsenic, and lead concentrations were primarily distributed among the liver and kidneys.
Phylogenetic differences in patterns of trace element concentrations likely reflect species-specific
differences in diet, trophic level, and feeding strategies, while heterogeneous distributions of
elemental analytes among different organ types reflect differences in elemental biotransformation,
elimination, and storage. This study illustrates the importance of monitoring toxic contaminants in stranded odontocetes, which serve as important sentinels of environmental
contamination, and whose health may be linked to human health.

The Florida pompano, Trachinotus carolinus, is an ideal species
for commercial aquaculture because of its rapid growth,
tolerance to a range of environmental parameters, and high
demand in the seafood market. This study detailed embryonic
and early larval development of this species. Florida
pompano followed similar developmental sequences to
those observed in other marine teleosts, and embryos
hatched between 22 and 28 h post-fertilization. Significant
brain lobe differentiation occurred prior to hatching. Pectoral
fins were functional within 1-day post-hatch (dph). Substantial
eye development occurred within 3 dph, indicating
visual acuity prior to the onset of exogenous live feeding.
Intestinal segments were differentiated by 3 dph, and rotifers
were seen in the digestive tract by 4 dph. Digestive
functions were limited through the first 7 dph because of
the absence of functional gastric glands and gastric mucous
cells in the rudimentary stomach, lipid vacuoles in the anterior
intestines, and the persistence of acidophilic supranuclear
vesicles in the posterior intestines. Within 7 dph,
the pharyngeal arches differentiated, and hematopoietic tissue and mesonephric tubules were visible in the larval
kidney. Their rapid larval development and organogenesis
are additional factors that make Florida pompano an ideal
species for aquaculture production and should encourage
continued efforts toward commercialization