Optimal Salinity for Head-Starting Northern River Terrapins (Batagur baska Gray, 1831)

Northern river terrapins (Batagur baska Gray, 1831) are Asia’s largest turtles living in both freshwater and brackish water. In the current study, the optimal salinity for head-starting programs of this critically endangered species was investigated in order to serve the well-being of turtles before release to natural habitat. Forty-eight terrapins (54.64 ± 0.18 g initial body weight) were randomly distributed to four salinity levels (0, 4, 8, and 12 ppt) and reared for eight weeks, using three replicates with four terrapins each. At the end of rearing trial, growth performance and feed utilization parameters were superior in terrapins reared at 4 ppt, followed by 8 ppt in the rank order of treatments. Negative stress responses were observed in terrapins reared at 12 ppt, as the fecal activity of amylase-to-trypsin ratio was changed significantly, but not that of proteolytic enzymes. The fecal thermal transition properties indicated an abundance of nutrients in the post-absorptive phase for terrapins reared at 4 ppt, followed by the 8 ppt treatment group. The preferred 4 ppt salinity had no negative effects on the health status of the terrapins in terms of carapace elemental composition or hematological parameters. Second-order polynomial regression suggests 4.35 ppt as the optimal salinity for maximal weight gain. Findings from the current study could be directly used in ex situ conservation programs of northern river terrapins before release to natural habitat

Biodiversity, ecology, and taxonomy of sediment-dwelling Dendrophylliidae (Anthozoa, Scleractinia) in the Gulf of Thailand

Dendrophylliidae represents one of the most speciose families of scleractinian coral, expressing a wide range of morphological and ecological traits. Recent phylogenetic analyses of the family have indicated that several conventional genera are in need of revision. In the Gulf of Thailand, dendrophylliids are predominantly found on hard-substrate reefs and pinnacles, or on soft-substrate habitats. Soft-substrate habitats in the Gulf of Thailand have been shown to host unique species assemblages and faunal ecology. Here we provided an updated phylogenetic hypothesis for the Dendrophylliidae based on newly sequenced species, and analyses integrating morphology, genetics and ecology. High-resolution Micro-ct was used to create digital versions of the studied species, allowing for non-destructive examination of internal and external features. Our findings allowed for a taxonomic assessment of the genera Heteropsammia and Tubastraea, with the species Balanophyllia (Eupsammia) stimpsonii, moved to the genus Tubastraea. They also support the polyphyly of Dendrophyllia and Cladopsammia. In-situ surveys provided population-density information for four dendrophylliid species from soft substrate habitats, indicating that the species Heteropsammia moretonensis may be the most widespread within the Gulf of Thailand. These surveys also provided novel ecological documentation associated with these corals, including protocooperative feeding upon a sea pen by Tubastraea stimpsonii comb. nov., and feeding upon other cnidarians by Heteropsammia spp.</p

Type and Distribution of Microplastics in Beach Sediment along the Coast of the Eastern Gulf of Thailand

In the oceans and coasts, plastic waste poses a global threat to biodiversity. This study examined the types and distribution of microplastics in beach sediment along the coast of the eastern Gulf of Thailand in March 2018 (northeast monsoon = dry season) and July 2018 (southwest monsoon = rainy season). Microplastic samples were collected from six stations including Koh Khramyai Beach (Chonburi Province), Koh Mannai Beach (Rayong Province), Chao Lao Beach (Chanthaburi Province, 3 stations), and Ploy Dang Beach (Trat Province). The results showed that the highest average abundances of microplastics in March and July were at Koh Mannai Beach (1698 pieces/m2) and Koh Khramyai Beach (799 pieces/m2), respectively. However, no microplastics were found at Ploy Dang Beach in July. According to polymer-type identification using an FTIR spectrometer, 17 polymer types were found in this study. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET = 39.6%) and polyamide (PA = 22.8%) were the polymer types found in the highest proportions in March and July, respectively. In addition, the fiber shape and transparent color of microplastics were found to be the most abundant

Type and Distribution of Microplastics in Beach Sediment along the Coast of the Eastern Gulf of Thailand

In the oceans and coasts, plastic waste poses a global threat to biodiversity. This study examined the types and distribution of microplastics in beach sediment along the coast of the eastern Gulf of Thailand in March 2018 (northeast monsoon = dry season) and July 2018 (southwest monsoon = rainy season). Microplastic samples were collected from six stations including Koh Khramyai Beach (Chonburi Province), Koh Mannai Beach (Rayong Province), Chao Lao Beach (Chanthaburi Province, 3 stations), and Ploy Dang Beach (Trat Province). The results showed that the highest average abundances of microplastics in March and July were at Koh Mannai Beach (1698 pieces/m2) and Koh Khramyai Beach (799 pieces/m2), respectively. However, no microplastics were found at Ploy Dang Beach in July. According to polymer-type identification using an FTIR spectrometer, 17 polymer types were found in this study. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET = 39.6%) and polyamide (PA = 22.8%) were the polymer types found in the highest proportions in March and July, respectively. In addition, the fiber shape and transparent color of microplastics were found to be the most abundant

Parasites or predators?:Gastropod ectoparasites and their scleractinian host corals at Koh Tao, Gulf of Thailand, with the description of a new species

Recent years have seen a rapid increase in the study of coral-associated gastropods. In particular, the description of several new species in conjunction with their host specificity or dietary variability, has raised questions pertaining to their impact on reef health. These corallivores have been labelled as both ‘parasite’ and ‘predator’ by different studies, due to the tendency of some species to entirely consume their ‘host’ corals. Here we present new findings of corallivory and parasitism based on surveys conducted on the reefs of Koh Tao, Gulf of Thailand. A total of 6566 corals were assessed for their tendency to host gastropods of the nudibranch genus Phestilla and the caenogastropod family Epitoniidae. Thirteen gastropod species were found to be associated with 20 scleractinian coral species, including six that do not match the original description of previously known taxa. Herein we describe one of them, the first nudibranch proven to be associated with corals of the scleractinian genus Acropora and discuss conservation implications of these coral/gastropod relationships. Additionally, we explore the complex topic of defining these relationships as parasitic versus predatory and the merits of using these labels to better understand the ecology of these relationships.</p

Optimal Feeding Frequency for Captive Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)

Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) has been reared in head-starting captivity programs, while the feeding regimens have never been optimized. In the current study, the feeding frequency of hawksbill sea turtle was investigated in indoor experimental conditions. Two-month-old turtles (38.98 ± 0.02 g) were distributed to triplicates of five treatments containing three turtles each and they were fed at different frequencies: one meal daily at 12.00 h (1M12), two meals daily at 08.00 and 12.00 h (2M8–12), two meals daily at 08.00 and 16.00 h (2M8–16), two meals daily at 12.00 and 16.00 h (2M12–16), or three meals daily at 08.00, 12.00 and 16.00 h (3M8–12–16). At the end of an 8-week trial, growth performance (specific growth rate 2.39 ± 0.02% body weight day−1) and feed consumption (feeding rate 2.00 ± 0.43 g day−1) were highest for turtles fed 2M8–16, followed by 2M12–16 or 3M8–12–16 relative to the other treatments (p ˂ 0.05). These treatments had significantly higher trypsin specific activity and trypsin/chymotrypsin ratio, and vice versa for lipase specific activity and amylase/trypsin ratio, relative to the remaining treatments. These match well with the fecal thermal properties that indicate amounts of available and unavailable nutrients present in the feces. Hematological parameters and carapace elemental composition showed no negative effects to turtles in 2M8–16 treatment. Therefore, two meals daily with long time interval were optimal for feeding hawksbill sea turtle. Findings from the current study could be directly used as a feeding guideline supporting the head-starting programs of this species

Optimal Background Color for Head-Starting Northern River Terrapins (Batagur baska Gray, 1831)

Background color has significant effects on the lifestyles of various animal species. In this study, the effects of wall background color on growth, feed utilization, specific activity of gastric and pancreatic enzymes in fecal samples, fecal thermal properties, carapace elemental profile, and hematological parameters were investigated in northern river terrapin (Batagur baska Gray, 1831) in order to optimize the head-starting conditions. The terrapins (70.13 &plusmn; 0.04 g initial weight) were completely randomized into five types of colored tanks (transparent, green, red, blue, and black) and reared for twelve weeks. At the end of the experiment, tank color had no effect on survival and growth performance, but had significant effects on feeding rate, feed conversion ratio, and protein efficiency ratio (p &lt; 0.05). Terrapins reared with black, red, or blue backgrounds had the highest feed utilization among the treatments. Among these three groups, analysis of specific activity of gastric and pancreatic enzymes in fecal samples and fecal thermal properties suggested improved digestive functionality in terrapins reared with a blue background relative to the other treatments. Carapace elemental composition and hematological parameters indicated no negative effects on health status of the terrapins reared with this optimal treatment. Findings from the current study support the head-starting program of northern river terrapins before release to natural habitats, and could also be applied in aquaria or zoos for public display