Baseline blood values for healthy free-ranging green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) in Puerto Rico

Abstract

In Puerto Rico, green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) appear to congregate in certain areas that constitute neritic developmental habitats for juvenile green turtles and foraging habitats for migrating larger immature and adult green turtles. The objective of this study was to establish baseline blood health indices in free-ranging green sea turtles occupying such habitats in Puerto Rico. We analyzed packed cell volume, morphometrics, and plasma biochemistry and protein electrophoresis parameters for free-ranging green sea turtles in the Culebra archipelago of Puerto Rico. The general health of turtles included in this study was rated as good based on body condition, physical examination, and molecular diagnostics. We report packed cell volume, plasma biochemistry, and protein electrophoresis reference interval values for juvenile and subadult green sea turtles. Development of site-specific baseline blood health parameters for wild, healthy sea turtle populations is an important factor in creating effective management protocols and enhances our ability to understand the effects of anthropogenic and environmental changes on sea turtle health.