Health status of the red-billed tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus) determined by hematology, biochemistry, blood gases, and physical examination.

The red-billed tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus, is a species of seabird native to the Galápagos archipelago, and widely distributed across the neotropics. General health, blood chemistry, and haematology parameters have not been published for this species. Blood analyses were performed on samples drawn from 51 clinically healthy red-billed tropicbirds captured from their burrows at Islote Pitt on San Cristóbal Island in July, 2016 (21) and Daphne Major Island in June, 2017 (30). In the field, a point of care blood analyser (iSTAT) was used to obtain results for HCO3-, pH, pCO2, pO2, TCO2, iCa, Na, K, Cl, Hb, HCT, anion gap, creatinine, glucose and urea nitrogen. Additionally, a portable Lactate PlusTM analyser was used to measure blood lactate, and blood smears were also created in situ. The blood slides were used to estimate leukocyte counts and 100-cell differentials. Alongside these biochemistry and haematology parameters, average heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature and scaled mass index (calculated from weight and a body measurement) were compared to determine the standard measurements for a healthy individual. The baseline data, and reference intervals reported in this paper are essential to detecting changes in the health of red-billed tropicbirds in the future.

HEALTH STATUS AND BASELINE HEMATOLOGY, BIOCHEMISTRY, AND BLOOD GAS VALUES OF GALAPAGOS SHEARWATERS (PUFFINUS SUBALARIS).

The Galápagos shearwater, Puffinus subalaris, is a seabird endemic to the Galápagos archipelago. Hematology, blood chemistry, and general health parameters have not been published for this species. Analyses were run on blood samples drawn from 20 clinically healthy Galápagos shearwaters captured by hand at their nests at Islote Pitt on San Cristóbal Island in July 2016. A portable blood analyzer (iSTAT) was used to obtain near immediate field results for pH, pO2, pCO2, TCO2, HCO3 -, hematocrit, hemoglobin, sodium, potassium, chloride, ionized calcium, creatinine, urea nitrogen, anion gap, and glucose. Blood lactate was measured using a portable Lactate Plus analyzer. The reported results provide baseline data that can be used for comparisons among populations and in detecting changes in health status among Galápagos shearwaters.

Baseline haematology, biochemistry, blood gas values and health status of the Galapagos swallow-tailed gull (Creagrus furcatus).

The swallow-tailed gull, Creagrus furcatus, is a seabird endemic to the Galápagos archipelago. In general health, blood chemistry and haematology, parameters have not been published for this species. Blood analyses were run on samples drawn from 58 clinically healthy swallow-tailed gulls captured at Islote Pitt on San Cristóbal Island in July 2016 (28) and South Plaza Island in June 2017 (30). A point of care blood analyzer (iSTAT) was used in the field to obtain results for HCO3 -, pH, pCO2, pO2, TCO2, anion gap, chloride, creatinine, glucose, haematocrit, haemoglobin, ionized calcium, potassium, sodium and urea nitrogen. A portable Lactate Plus™ analyzer was used to measure lactate. The baseline data reported is valuable for comparisons amongst different populations in the archipelago and to detect changes in health status of Galápagos swallow-tailed gulls.

Health Status of Great Frigatebirds (Fregata minor) Determined by Haematology, Biochemistry, Blood Gases, and Physical Examination.

The great frigatebird, Fregata minor, is a widely distributed seabird native to the Galápagos archipelago. Haematology and blood chemistry parameters have been published for this species but not from the San Cristóbal and North Seymour great frigatebird breeding colonies. Analyses were run on blood samples drawn from 25 great frigatebirds captured by hand at their nests at Punta Pitt on San Cristóbal Island and 30 birds on North Seymour Island, Galápagos Islands. A portable blood analyser (iSTAT) was used to obtain near immediate field results for pH, pO2, pCO2, TCO2, HCO3- , haematocrit (Hct), haemoglobin (Hb), sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), ionized calcium (iCa), creatinine, urea nitrogen, anion gap and glucose. Blood lactate was measured using a portable Lactate Plus™ analyser. Average heart rate, respiratory rate, body weight, body temperature, biochemistry and haematology parameters were comparable to healthy individuals of other Fregatidae. The reported results provide baseline data that can be used for comparisons among populations and in detecting changes in health status among Galápagos great frigatebirds.

HEALTH STATUS OF RED-FOOTED BOOBIES ( SULA SULA) DETERMINED BY HEMATOLOGY, BIOCHEMISTRY, BLOOD GASES, AND PHYSICAL EXAMINATION.

The red-footed booby ( Sula sula) is a widely distributed sulid native to the Galápagos archipelago. Hematology and blood chemistry parameters have been published for this species, but not from the San Cristóbal rookery. Analyses were run on blood samples drawn from 31 manually restrained red-footed boobies that were captured by hand from their nests at Punta Pitt on San Cristóbal Island. A portable blood analyzer (iSTAT) was used to obtain near immediate field results for pH, partial pressure of oxygen, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, hematocrit, hemoglobin, sodium, potassium, ionized calcium, and glucose. Blood lactate was measured using a portable Lactate Plus™ analyzer. Average heart rate, respiratory rate, body weight, body temperature, and biochemistry and hematology parameters were comparable to those of healthy individuals of other sulids. The reported results provide baseline data that can be used for comparisons among populations and in detecting changes in health status among Galápagos red-footed boobies.