Blood Cell Morphology and Plasma Biochemistry of Captive Mauremys caspica (Gmelin, 1774) and Mauremys rivulata (Valenciennes, 1833)

Morphological characteristics of peripheral blood cells, micronucleated erythrocyte counts and plasma biochemistry profile were examined in fourteen healthy captive Mauremys caspica and in twenty-three Mauremys rivulata. The size of erythrocyte cells were 19.07 × 11.68 μm and 19.76 × 11.44 μm for M. caspica and M. rivulata, respectively. Nucleus sizes were 6.50 × 5.30 μm for M. caspica and 6.79 × 5.45 μm for M. rivulata. The micronucleated erythrocyte (MNE) values were 0.0008 and 0.0037 for the males and females of M. caspica, respectively. The MNE values were 0.0002 for male and female M. rivulata. We found sex-dependent differences only in the Ca value in the blood biochemistry profile for healthy M. caspica. Sex-dependent differences were found only in albumin and P values in the blood biochemistry profile for healthy M. rivulata. No significant differences were found between males of both species in question with respect to plasma biochemistry values. However, only plasma total protein and Ca content levels differed significantly between the females of the two species

Blood Cell Morphology and Plasma Biochemistry of the Captive European Pond Turtle Emys orbicularis

The morphological characteristics of peripheral blood cells, micronucleated erythrocytes counts and plasma biochemistry profile were examined in ten healthy captive European pond turtles Emys orbicularis. Blood samples were obtained from the caudal vein. The Wright staining method was used for the classification of the blood cells. Mature erythrocytes of captive Emys orbicularis were nucleated ellipsoidal cells (21.7 ±1.27μm × 13.2 ±1.12 μm) with pink cytoplasm. The nucleus (6.9 ± 0.78 μm × 5.4 ± 0.65 μm) was centrally located and stained dark purple. Seven different types of blood cells were determined: erythrocytes, thrombocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes and heterophils. The micronucleated erythrocyte (MNE) values were 0.0016 and 0.003 for the males and females, respectively. The MNE results were presented as the mean frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes per 1000 cells per animal. The mean plasma concentrations in the total of specimens were as follows: total protein (25 g/L), albumin (7.2 g/L), globulin (17.8 g/L), glucose (2.91 mmol/L), calcium (2.32 mmol/L), phosphorus (1.55 mmol/L), creatinine (46.85 μmol/L), urea (10.93 mmol/L) , triglycerides (0.44 mmol/L), cholesterol (1.48 mmol/L), sodium (125.76 mmol/L), potassium (3.98 mmol/L), chloride (93.94 mmol/L), iron (13.34 μmol/L) and activities of aspartate aminotransferase (2.14 μkat/L), alanine aminotransferase (0.15 μkat/L), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (2.15 U/L), amylase (8.09 μkat/L), lactate dehydrogenase (19.93 μkat/L). We found sex-dependent differences only in ALT [(0.21 μkat/L and 0.10 μkat/L for the males and females, respectively) (t = 3,107; df = 14; p Emys orbicularis. We suggest that the biochemical profile described in the present study may be used as a standard profile for healthy Emys orbicularis kept in captivity

Mediterranean sea turtles: Current knowledge and priorities for conservation and research

This is the final version. Available on open access from Inter Research via the DOI in this recordThe available information regarding the 2 sea turtle species breeding in the Mediterranean (loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta and green turtle Chelonia mydas) is reviewed, including biometrics and morphology, identification of breeding and foraging areas, ecology and behaviour, abundance and trends, population structure and dynamics, anthropogenic threats and conservation measures. Although a large body of knowledge has been generated, research efforts have been inconsistently allocated across geographic areas, species and topics. Significant gaps still exist, ranging from the most fundamental aspects, such as the distribution of major nesting sites and the total number of clutches laid annually in the region, to more specific topics like age at maturity, survival rates and behavioural ecology, especially for certain areas (e.g. south-eastern Mediterranean). These gaps are particularly marked for the green turtle. The recent positive trends of nest counts at some nesting sites may be the result of the cessation of past exploitation and decades of conservation measures on land, both in the form of national regulations and of continued active protection of clutches. Therefore, the current status should be considered as dependent on such ongoing conservation efforts. Mitigation of incidental catch in fisheries, the main anthropogenic threat at sea, is still in its infancy. From the analysis of the present status a comprehensive list of re search and conservation priorities is proposed.C.C. is supported by the project CTM2013-48163 of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitivity. The Cyprus Wildlife Society (CWS) acknowledges the financial support of the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research of the Government to the CWS for the implementation of the Turtle Conservation Project in the period 2010−2016 and for all its assistance to the Society in previous years. J.T. is supported by project Prometeo II (2015-018) of the Generalitat Valenciana and projects MEDSEALITTER-INTERREG and INDICIT of the European Union

The herpetofauna of the Ordu-Giresun region

In this study, 17 reptile and amphibian species were recorded from 19 different localities in the Ordu-Giresun region. Of these, 3 belong to the urodelans species group, 6 belong to anurans, 4 belong to lizards and 4 belong to snakes

Electrophoretic patterns of some viper venoms from Turkey [Türkiye'den Bazi Engerek Yilan Zehirlerinin Elektroforetik Şekilleri]

In this study, the venom extract of five viper species (Vipera xanthina, Vipera ammodytes. Vipera kaznakovi. Vipera wagneri and Vipera lebetina) collected from various regions of Turkey was subjected to polyacrylamide disc electrophoresis. No pressure was applied to the venom glands to provide venom extract. Important differences were detected among the electrophoretic patterns of venom proteins belonging to the five viper species

The loggerhead turtle populations of the southwest beaches of Turkey and protection studies

Pp. 291-294 In: Epperly, S.P. and J. Brain (Compilers). Proceedings of the Sixteenth Annual Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFCS-415, 294 pp. South Carolina, 1998