No abstract

Vancouver Island marmots (Marmota vancouverensis) have been managed in a captive-breeding program since 1997, as in situ conservation efforts were insufficient in raising the numbers of this critically endangered species. The success of captive-breeding programs centers on sustainable reproduction and survival of individuals once released into the wild. Captive-born Vancouver Island marmots re-Hibernation is an ecological trait allowing many species of mammals to reside year-round in highly variable seasonal climates (Arnold, 2019;Ruf & Geiser, 2015). The ability to hibernate or decrease metabolic rate may play a role in increasing population and species survival (Turbill et al., 2011) by providing temporary shelter from periods of low resource availability or unfavorable environmental conditions (Liow et al., 2008). Animals exhibiting behaviors such as hibernation, torpor, and dormancy, as well as the use of burrows or tunnels, are underrepresented in the high-risk International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List categories,

Two male inland bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) of 5 and 6 yr of age were presented for anorexia with and without lethargy, respectively. In both cases, a firm, spherical, and mobile mass, measuring 2 cm in diameter, was palpated in the cranio-medial coelom. Radiographs were unremarkable. Ultrasonographic evaluation was highly suggestive of cholecystolithiasis. Coeliotomy confirmed the presence of a markedly enlarged gallbladder containing a cholecystolith in both cases, and cholecystectomies were performed. Both dragons resumed eating after 1-7 days and were doing well 3-6 months postoperatively. The gallbladder wall was unremarkable on histology, and the choleliths were composed of protein and calcium carbonate crystals. Cholecystolithiasis in bearded dragons has been the subject of very few case reports, probably due to its low occurrence. The lack of available data on the diagnosis and management may have led to this condition being underdiagnosed in this species. Ultrasonography was essential to the clinical diagnosis of cholecystolithiasis in our two cases and should be recommended as part of the diagnostic approach of bearded dragons with cranio-medial coelomic masses.

Vancouver Island marmots (Marmota vancouverensis) (VIMs) are a critically endangered species of fat‐storing hibernators, endemic to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. In addition to in‐situ conservation efforts, a captive breeding program has been ongoing since 1997. The captive diet is mostly pellet‐based and rich in n−6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). In captivity, overall length of hibernation is shortened, and marmots have higher adipose tissue reserves compared to their wild‐born counterparts, which may be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of mortality in captive marmots. To investigate differences in lipid metabolism between wild and captive populations of VIMs, blood vitamin E, fatty acid (FA) profiles and leptin, and white adipose tissue (WAT) FA profiles were compared during the active season (May to September 2019). Gas chromatography, high‐performance liquid chromatography, and multiplex kits were used to obtain FA profiles, α‐tocopherol, and leptin values, respectively. In both plasma and WAT, the concentration of the sum of all FA in the total lipids was significantly increased in captive VIMs. The n−6/n−3 ratio, saturated FAs, and n−6 PUFAS were higher in captive marmots, whereas n−3 PUFAs and the HUFA score were higher in wild marmots. Serum concentrations of α‐tocopherol were greater by an average of 45% in captive marmots, whereas leptin concentrations did not differ. Results from this study may be applied to improve the diet and implement weight management to possibly enhance the quality of hibernation and decrease the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases of captive VIMs.