Select metal and metalloid surveillance of free-ranging Eastern box turtles from Illinois and Tennessee (Terrapene carolina carolina)

Abstract

The Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) is a primarily terrestrial chelonian distributed across the eastern US. It has been proposed as a biomonitor due to its longevity, small home range, and reliance on the environment to meet its metabolic needs. Plasma samples from 273 free-ranging box turtles from populations in Tennessee and Illinois in 2011 and 2012 were evaluated for presence of heavy metals and to characterize hematologic variables. Lead (Pb), arsenic (As), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), selenium (Se), and copper (Cu) were detected, while cadmium (Cd) and silver (Ag) were not. There were no differences in any metal detected among age class or sex. However, Cr and Pb were higher in turtles from Tennessee, while As, Zn, Se, and Cu were higher in turtles from Illinois. Seasonal differences in metal concentrations were observed for Cr, Zn, and As. Health of turtles was assessed using hematologic variables. Packed cell volume was positively correlated with Cu, Se, and Pb in Tennessee. Total solids, a measure of plasma proteins, in Tennessee turtles were positively correlated with Cu and Zn. White blood cell count, a measure of inflammation, in Tennessee turtles was negatively correlated with Cu and As, and positively correlated with Pb. Metals are a threat to human health and the health of an ecosystem, and the Eastern Box Turtle can serve as a monitor of these contaminants. Differences established in this study can serve as baseline for future studies of these or related populations.

Trace Element Concentrations in European Pond Turtles (Emys orbicularis) from Brenne Natural Park, France

“…Although females were larger than males (Kruskal-Wallis χ²=19.7449, df = 1, p < 0.01), sex did not influence the concentrations of trace elements (all p > 0.12). This suggests that feeding, metabolism or growth rates were broadly similar for both genders (Allender et al 2015;Yu et al 2011) and that contrarily to what has been shown in another species (Nagle et al 2001) or in sea turtles (Guirlet et al 2008), eggs may not represent a major excretion pathway in female E. orbicularis.…”

“…Most trace elements concentrations did not correlate with body size suggesting that E. orbicularis does not bioaccumulate these contaminants with age as showed in other turtle species (Allender et al 2015;Yadollahvand et al 2014). Yet, and similarly to other studies (Overmann and Krajicek 1995;Nagle et al 2001;Bergeron et al 2007;Yu et al 2011), we found two notable exceptions to this trend: Zn concentrations (in muscle, rs= 0.49, p < 0.05; Fig.…”

“…Freshwater turtles are suitable organisms to survey contamination levels in complex aquatic ecosystems (Overmann and Krajicek 1995;Ayub et al 2001;Nagle et al 2001;Bergeron et al 2007;Yu et al 2011;Malik et al 2013;Yadollahvand et al 2014;Allender et al 2015;Slimani et al 2018). First, they are widely distributed and occupy a variety of habitats.…”

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and hemoglobin-binding protein in free-living box turtles (Terrapene spp.)

“…ranavirus, Mycoplasma sp., herpesviruses, adenovirus) and toxicants (e.g. organochlorines, heavy metals); underscoring the need for reliable tools to characterize emerging health threats [29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40]. Acute phase response testing in box turtles may supplement existing diagnostic modalities and improve health assessment protocols; ultimately supporting conservation goals and enhancing the evaluation of ecosystem wellness [41].…”

Environmental causes and reproductive correlates of mercury contamination in European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis)

“…all SCL> 96.5 mm corresponding to large juveniles and adults), while a previous study included neonates and very small individuals (see Guillot et al 2018 As already suggested for this species (Guillot et al 2018), and for other freshwater turtles (Adel et al 2005;Bergeron et al 2007;Schneider et al 2009;Turnquist et al 2011;Hopkins et al 2013a;Slimani et al 2018) sex did not influence Hg concentrations. This suggests that feeding, metabolism and/or growth rates are presumably fairly similar for both sexes (Allender et al 2015;Yu et al 2011), contrarily…”