Variability in hematology of white‐spotted bamboo sharks (Chiloscyllium plagiosum) in different living environments

Abstract

Elasmobranch hematology continues to reveal new peculiarities within this specialized field. This report compares total hematologic values from the same white-spotted bamboo sharks (Chiloscyllium plagiosum) housed in different environments. We compared the hemograms one year apart, using a standardized Natt-Herrick's technique. The total white blood cell (WBC) counts of the sharks were statistically different between the two time points (initial median total WBC count = 18,920 leukocytes/μl, SD = 8,108; 1 year later total WBC count = 1,815 leukocytes/μl, SD = 1,309). The packed cell volumes were additionally found to be statistically different (19%, SD = 2.9 vs. 22%, SD = 2.0). Analysis revealed the only differences between the time points were the temperature and stocking densities at which these sharks were housed. This report emphasizes the need for a thorough understanding of the husbandry of an elasmobranch prior to interpretation of a hemogram and suggests that reference intervals should be created for each environment.

Hematology and Plasma Chemistry Reference Values in Nursehound Shark (Scyliorhinus Stellaris) Maintained Under Human Care

“…Median PCV (0.17 l/l) values were within ranges of those reported in previous studies with elasmobranchs, which show typically low values in healthy elasmobranchs and important variations between species (aquarium-maintained Bamboo Shark ( Chiloscyllium plagiosum ) (0.13 l/l), aquarium-maintained Smooth Dogfish ( Mustelus canis ) (0.24 l/l), and free-ranging Bonnethead Shark ( Sphyrna tiburo ) (0.22 l/l) ( 16 , 29 , 30 ). Median TS (58 g/l) were also similar to other elasmobranch species such as the free-ranging Bonnethead Shark (63 g/l), the free-ranging Southern Stingray ( Dasyatis americana ) (56 g/l) and the aquarium-maintained Spotted Eagle Ray ( Aetobatus narinari ) (57 g/l) ( 8 , 16 , 31 ).…”