Hematologic characteristics and plasma chemistry values of juvenile loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) from the ages of 1 mo to 3 yr were obtained to establish baseline values. Five clinically normal loggerhead turtles were selected from the same clutch and raised in an indoor artificial nesting beach. Blood samples were successively collected and examined for various blood characteristics for a maximum total of 15 times. Hematologic characteristics, including packed cell volume, white blood cell counts, and white blood cell differentials; and plasma chemistry values, including total bilirubin, total protein, albumin, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, gamma-glutamic transpeptidase, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, triglyceride, total cholesterol, ionized sodium, ionized potassium and ionized chlorine, were measured. These results were used to establish a hematology and blood chemistry baseline for captive juvenile loggerhead turtles and will aid in their medical management.
A total of 24 specimens of Anguilla japonica leptocephali were collected by three cruises in the western North Pacific: two specimens (45.9 and 50.0mmTL) in Dec. 1961 by RV Shunyo Maru, one (41.5mmTL) in Oct. 1971 by RV Shoyo Maru, and 21 (19.5-25.4mmTL) in July 1990 by TV Keiten Maru. The last specimens included the smallest ones hitherto known from the field, and were collected at a station (16•‹29.3'N, 139•‹20.8'E) northwest of Guam and close to the station where the smallest leptocephalus was recorded in the past. The morphology was described separately on Shunyo Maru and Shoyo Maru specimens and Keiten Maru ones because of size difference. Discussion was made on several characters, especially the presence of caudal melanophores on two specimens, of Keiten Maru specimens different from those of larger specimens.
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