Abstract. Multifocal hyperemic nodules and plaques associated with the cloacal mucosa of juvenile alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) at a public aquarium were investigated. Grossly, pale pink to dark red multifocal, circular lesions of varying degrees of severity were identified on the cloacal and, in males, phallus mucosa. Cloacal mucosa biopsies were obtained from 2 of the alligators. These samples were examined histologically and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using consensus primers targeting a conserved region of the herpesvirus polymerase gene. Microscopically, the lesions were characterized as submucosal lymphoid follicles with hyperemia and hemorrhage. No inclusion bodies were observed. Minimal to no anisokaryosis was present, and no etiologic agents were identified. Through PCR, a band consistent in size with herpesvirus was observed. Tissues showing similar clinical, histopathologic, and PCR findings were collected from animals at an alligator farm several months later. Sequencing of the PCR amplicon resulted in a 180-base pair sequence that shared 85% sequence identity with tortoise herpesvirus-1.Key words: Alligator mississipiensis; alphaherpesvirus; cloaca; crocodilian; petechiation; reptile.Herpesviruses are enveloped double-stranded DNA viruses measuring 120-200 nm in diameter. They are known to affect many species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. Transmission is believed to occur through mucosal contact and less commonly through the aerosolization of infectious droplets. Once acquired, virus persists in nerve or lymph tissue and spreads through continuous or intermittent shedding, which is associated with stress caused by other infections, shipping, cold, or crowding. Infected animals generally show symptoms associated with the respiratory or reproductive tract or the central nervous system. Herpesviruses have also been known to cause epithelial tumors, cell lysis, and in some cases no clinical symptoms. Intranuclear inclusion bodies are often observed on histopathology and in cell cultures. 12 In reptiles, herpesvirus infections have been reported in snakes, chelonians, and lizards. In crocodilians, there is 1 report of herpesviruslike particles being observed. 8 In October 2003, routine annual physical examinations were performed on 15 (4 males, 11 females) 4-to 5-yearold, juvenile alligators housed at a North Carolina aquarium. These animals weighed 3-9 kg and were 94-135 cm in length. They had been obtained in March of 2002 from an alligator farm in Florida and had never been observed exhibiting reproductive behaviors. All 15 alligators were housed together in a 12.19-ϫ 2.44-m enclosure containing a 45,425-liter pool with a maximum depth of 2.14 m. They shared this enclosure with a few aquatic turtles and were fed chicken and beef twice weekly.All 15 alligators were manually restrained for physical examination, which included observation of the eyes, ears, and skin, abdominal and appendage palpation, and manual sexing. Blood was collected from the occ...

2019. Citizen science reveals female sand tiger sharks (Carcharias taurus) exhibit signs of site fidelity on shipwrecks. Ecology 100(8):

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A wild-caught captive sandbar shark Carcharhinus plumbeus developed a contiguous network of darkly pigmented linear tracks that progressed from the snout to the ventral cervical region. Microscopic examination of a skin scraping revealed nematode eggs of the genus Huffmanela, a group of histozoic nematodes that is known to parasitize requiem sharks and marine and freshwater teleosts. The fresh eggs were darkly pigmented with bipolar plugs, contained a larva, and measured 73.3 to 86.4 by 39.0 to 47.4 µm (n = 10). Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded eggs were significantly smaller (Wilcoxon rank sums test, p < 0.005), measuring 70.5 to 78.9 by 33.6 to 41.3 µm (n = 13). These measurements do not correlate with previously reported species of Huffmanela. Serial treatment with levamisole (10 mg kg Resale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisherDis Aquat Org 73: [83][84][85][86][87][88] 2006 skin. These tracks wended their way from the right ventral snout to the left side of the mouth, reducing to a single track past the dorsal aspect of the left commissure, then once again formed a wide band that progressed caudomedially to terminate in the ventral cervical region, losing definition in the last 2 cm (Fig. 1).Blood was collected into sodium heparin from the caudal hemal arch using a 22 gauge 38 mm needle and a 6 ml syringe, then placed into a vial as part of the initial health evaluation. A differential blood count was performed manually, and plasma chemistry analyses were performed by automated bichromatic spectrophotometry (albumin, calcium, phosphorus, bicarbonate and glucose concentrations, and aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase activities) and ion-selective electrode (sodium, potassium and chloride concentrations) on a Roche/Hitachi 912 Clinical Chemistry System (Roche Molecular Systems) (Table 1) (Stoskopf 1993a(Stoskopf , 2000. When compared with previously reported values obtained from elasmobranchs (excluding compromised individuals), potassium concentrations in this specimen appeared to be lower and lactate dehydrogenase activity appeared to be higher; however, the clinical significance of these values is uncertain (Stoskopf 2000, Harms et al. 2002. A skin scrape of the pattern was collected approximately 2 cm caudal to the snout using a Number 10 scalpel blade and placed with a drop of exhibit water onto a glass slide with a coverslip sealed at the edges with ophthalmic ointment (to prevent desiccation) for examination. The shark was then moved into an offexhibit 26 000 l holding tank.Examination of the slide under a microscope revealed numerous darkly pigmented, trichuroid ova with bipolar plugs and thick, dark brown, apparently rugose shells that were embryonated with a motionless coiled larva (Fig. 2). The shell was covered with a thin transparent vitelline envelope and had a thickened chitinous layer at both ends that surrounded the slightly protruding polar plugs, forming a collar. Ten fresh eggs were measured in µm using a calibrated micro...

This case series describes multiple mortalities associated with sepsis, neoplasia, and endoparasitism in yellow-lipped sea kraits (Laticauda colubrina) at an exhibit aquarium. Over a 2-yr period, the facility kept 42 L colubrina, of which 38 died and 19 were suitable for necropsy and histopathology. The common clinical syndrome seen in these animals consisted of partial to compete anorexia, increased time spent "hauled-out" on land, intermittent regurgitation, chronic lethargy, and weight loss. Few animals died without premonitory signs. Nutritional support and treatment for presumptive parasitism and sepsis were unsuccessful. The mortality seen in this collection of sea kraits could be placed into three groups; one group of animals (n=9) died of sepsis secondary to necrotizing enteritis or pneumonia; one group (n=6) remained apparently healthy for over 1 yr and then died with multifocal granulomas and sepsis; and the last group (n=3) died as a result of multicentric lymphoid neoplasia with secondary sepsis. The unifying factor in the majority of these cases is the presence of septicemia as the proximate cause of death. Based on the clinical picture, it is presumed that an immunosuppressive event, such as transport, captivity stress, or possible concurrent viral infection, resulted in a septic event and death.

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Ocular lipid deposition and its surgical management and possible association with systemic hyperlipidaemia in captive moray eels are described. Ophthalmologic examinations, haematology and plasma biochemistry analyses were performed on an initial population of captive moray eels (n=10): green moray, Gymnothorax funebris Ranzani; spotted moray, Gymnothorax morninga (Cuvier) and reticulated moray, Muraena retifera Goode and Bean. Recently captured green moray eels comprised the control group (n=9). Clinical signs compatible with ocular lipid deposition were identified in six of ten captive eels (60%) vs. none of the controls. Green moray eels in the initial captive population (n=5) had significantly higher total protein, triglyceride, cholesterol and aspartate amino transferase values than the control eels. Dietary management was attempted in all captive eels, and surgical intervention was performed in three eels, including two from a separate population, with improved ocular clarity within 1month post-operatively. Histopathological evaluation of surgical specimens and two eyes from an additional affected eel that died suggested ocular lipid deposition. Eels in captivity have an apparent predisposition for hyperlipidaemia and ocular lipid deposition. Although limited in this study and complicated by exhibit restraints, dietary management was minimally effective, while surgery improved ocular clarity.

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