Eggshell composition of Amazon turtle (Podocnemis expansa) is altered after incubation in substrates containing glyphosate and fipronil formulations.

Besides its crucial role during embryo development, eggshells are an essential bioindicator of environmental contaminants. However, the effects of contaminant exposure during incubation on the eggshell composition remain poorly known for freshwater turtles. Accordingly, we tested the effects of incubating the eggs of Podocnemis expansa in substrates containing glyphosate and fipronil formulations on the eggshell's level of mineral and dry matter, crude protein, nitrogen, and ethereal extract. Eggs were incubated in sand moistened with water contaminated with glyphosate Atar 48 at concentrations of 65 or 6500 µg/L, fipronil Regent 800 WG at concentrations of 4 or 400 µg/L, or the combination of 65 µg/L glyphosate and 4 µg/L fipronil and 6500 µg/L glyphosate with 400 µg/L fipronil. Exposure to the tested pesticides, alone or in association, altered the chemical composition of the eggshell of P. expansa, reducing the eggshell's moisture and crude protein content and increasing levels of ethereal extract. These changes may cause significant deficiencies in the mobilization of water and nutrients to the embryo, affecting the development and reproductive success of P. expansa.

Neonatal biometry and characterization of Amazonian Turtle nests (Podocnemis expansa)

The present study aimed to study the reproduction of the Amazon turtle (Podocnemis expansa) through the evaluation of the reproductive parameters of adult females. This study was carried out in the Crixás-Açu River, municipality of Mundo Novo, state of Goiás, Brazil. In September, the biometrics of 20 females were evaluated during the spawning period. Their nests were marked for subsequent evaluation of hatchlings, measuring the distances of each nest to the river and vegetation. The second stage consisted of the evaluation of hatchlings and characterization of nests after egg hatching. The datawere tested using the Pearson Correlation to measure the degree of linear correlation between the variables analyzed, such as the parameters of females, hatchlings, nests, and eggs. Nest depth was positively correlated with the number of eggshells found. We also found a correlation between the number of eggsshells and the distance of nests to the vegetation. Although moderate, this result indicates that as the distance to the vegetation increases, the number of eggshells found in nests decreases. The spawning site for Amazon turtle breeding is crucial to determine a higher number of eggshatching and better development of hatchlings. However, the literature is still very scarce regarding the choice of spawning grounds and the influence that vegetation may have on the development of freshwater turtle hatchlingsin Brazil.

A new Myxidium species (Myxozoa: Myxosporea) infecting the gallbladder of the turtle Podocnemis unifilis (Testudines: Podocnemididae) from Peruvian Amazon.

A new myxosporean species, Myxidium peruviensis n. sp., is described parasitizing the gall bladder of the yellow-spotted river turtle Podocnemis unifilis kept in captivity in an Amazonian Peruvian turtle rescue unit in the city of Iquitos, State of Loreto, Peru. The parasite was found in four of ten (40%) P. unifilis examined. The new species was characterized based on morphological and molecular phylogeny analyses. SSU rDNA sequence of the spores of M. peruviensis n. sp. resulted in 1876 nucleotides and this sequence did no match any of the Myxozoa available in the GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis identified the new species as a sister species of Myxidium turturibus, the unique Myxidium species described in a Neotropical turtle. Nevertheless, the SSU rDNA sequences of the new species and M. turturibus have only a 91.5% similarity. This is the first description and molecular study of a Myxozoa in a reptile from Peru. Considering the status of P. unifilis as vulnerable species, the infection by Myxidium parasites is emphasized as possible disease impeller, representing menace to the turtle conservation.

Biometria e parâmetros hematológicos em tartarugas da Amazônia de um criatório comercial de Rio Branco/AC / Biometric and haematological indices in turtles from the Amazon farm in Rio Branco/AC

Com o objetivo de definir os valores biométricos e quantificar parâmetros hematológicos como hematócrito, concentração de proteínas plasmáticas totais e leucócitos totais de tartarugas da espécie Podocnemis expansa, coletou-se um mililitro de sangue da veia femoral de 60 exemplares aparentemente saudáveis. Os animais obtidos do criatório particular, Estância Terra, localizado no estado do Acre, foram classificados em seis grupos de pesos diferentes. Durante a biometria, foram tomadas medidas de peso, comprimento e largura da carapaça e do plastrão, para as análises da correlação dos parâmetros de tamanho e massa corporal entre os indivíduos do mesmo grupo. Os valores observados indicaram que o grupo 06, que inclui os animais com massa acima de 26 kg, apresentou melhor correlação entre as massas individuais de cada animal (r = 0,97) Enquanto que, o grupo 02 (massa entre 21 e 25 kg) apresentou a pior correlação entre as massas (r = 0,34). O resultado da média total de hematócrito de todos os animais deste experimento foi de 10,56%. A concentração das proteínas plasmáticas totais foi de 3,69g dL-1, e a média de leucócitos totais foi de 51466,66µL. Estes parâmetros são considerados fora do padrão quando comparados com os valores encontrados em animais saudáveis da mesma espécie. Assim, este trabalho pode contribuir com informações sobre os dados biométricos e parâmetros hematológicos de P. expansa de cativeiro e demonstra a importância do monitoramento da sanidade dos animais em cativeiro, prevenindo manifestação de enfermidades que poderão pôr em risco a saúde de todo o plantel.(AU)

The aim of this study was defined the biometric values and quantify hematological parameters such as hematocrit, concentration of total plasma proteins and total leukocytes for Podocnemis expansa, we collect one milliliter of blood from the femoral vein of 60 specimens apparently healthy. The animals were collected from a private farm, Estancia Terra, located in Rio Branco in the state of Acre, and were classified into six groups of different weights. During the collection of biometric data, weight measurements were taken, and length and width of the carapace and plastron, for the analysis of correlation between the size parameters and body mass between individuals of the same group. The values observed indicate that the group 06, which includes animals with mass above 26kg, showed the best correlation between the individual masses of each animal (R = 0.97), while the group 02 (weight 21 to 25kg) showed the worst correlation between the mass (r = 0.34). The result of the overall average hematocrit of all animals of this experiment was 10.56%. The concentration of total plasma proteins was 3,69g DL-1 and the average total number of leukocytes was 51466,66µL. These parameters are considered abnormal when compared to the values found in healthy animals of the same species. This work contributes with information about biometric data and hematological parameters of P. expansa captivity and demonstrates the importance of monitoring health, preventing diseases that may endanger the health of all animals in the farm.(AU)

Chemical characteristics and thickness of Podocnemis expansa post-hatching eggshells (Testudines, Podocnemididae) / Aspectos químicos e espessura da casca de ovos de Podocnemis expansa pós-eclosão (Testudines, Podocnemididae)

Knowledge on chemical components of the post -hatching eggshell of reptiles may provide indicators of the quality of the diet offered to females kept in captivity. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the chemical characteristics of the calcareous layer, as well as the thickness of Podocnemis expansa post-hatching eggshells. Eggshell thickness was 183±1.405 µm. This value is similar to that of the eggs of other Testudines with flexible eggshells. As for the chemical composition, the following percentages were observed: nitrogen 7.983 ± 0.054; crude protein 49.91 ± 0.324; crude fat 0.068 ± 0.002; mineral matter 20.302 ± 0.807; calcium 13.374 ± 0.647; and phosphorus 0.176 ± 0.003. Knowledge on chemical composition of the eggshell may aid the nutrition of P. expansa raised in commercial facilities, once this species is an alternative and promising source of exotic meat.

O conhecimento sobre os constituintes químicos da casca de ovos pós-eclosão de répteis pode ser um referencial de qualidade da dieta fornecida para as fêmeas que vivem em cativeiro. Assim, este trabalho visa investigar os aspectos químicos que compõem a camada calcária, bem como a espessura da casca do ovo de Podocnemis expansa no período pós-eclosão. A espessura média da casca dos ovos foi de 183 ± 1,405 µm. Esta espessura é condizente com ovos de outros Testudines com casca flexível. Para os constituintes químicos, foram encontrados os seguintes valores médios percentuais: nitrogênio 7,983 ± 0,054, proteína bruta 49,91 ± 0,324, gordura bruta 0,068 ± 0,002, matéria mineral 20,302 ± 0,807, cálcio 13,374 ± 0,647 e fósforo 0,176 ± 0,003. Este conhecimento sobre a composição química da casca poderá auxiliar na criação em escala comercial dessa espécie, uma vez que a P. expansa tem se apresentado como fonte alternativa e promissora de carne exótica.

Enterobacterias en tortugas silvestres y cautivas del Amazonas, Podocnemis expansa (Testudines: Podocnemididae)

a tortuga amazónica Podocnemis expansa Schweigger, 1812 es un recurso muy importante para las poblaciones ribereñas de fauna de la región amazónica, además de ser una de las principales especies enumeradas para la producción en cautiverio. El consumo de esta especie como alimento en la región ha generado una demanda de estudios sobre salud animal y sus posibles impactos en la salud pública. El objetivo principal de este estudio fue evaluar la microbiota gastrointestinal de las tortugas amazónicas en cautiverio y vida libre, y la influencia del hábitat en la composición de la flora. Un total de 116 tortugas adultas, de ambos sexos fueron elegidas, y 51 fueron capturados en la isla de São Miguel, Santarém (PA), 50 animales en cautiverio para comercio y 15 provenían de un criadero de reproducción para la conservación, que se encuentra en la región metropolitana de Belém. De cada animal se recogió material biológico de la cloaca y se envió al laboratorio de la Universidad Federal de Pará, Brazil. De 116 muestras se obtuvieron 245 aislamientos bacterianos en el que 83 (33.87 %) eran de animales de vida libre, y 162 (65.72 %) de cautiverio. Especies de Klebsiella pneumoniae fueron los aislamientos más frecuentes de las 52 muestras, 21.22 % del crecimiento total de bacterias, seguido de Enterobacter cloacae 29 %, (35/14), Serratia marcescens 84 % (11/29) y Salmonella spp. 80 % (24/9). En las tortugas de vida libre, los microorganismos aislados corresponden a los géneros: Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Citrobacter y Aeromonas. Klebsiella pneumoniae, S. marcescens, E. cloacae y Salmonella spp. presentaron frecuencias altas en animales de cautiverio. Este resultado muestra una mayor diversidad de microorganismos en animales de vida libre y muestras con alta contaminación en animales de cautiverio. Las especies de Salmonella spp., E. coli y Acinetobacter spp., pueden ser sugeridas como indicadores de la calidad sanitaria de las poblaciones de la tortuga amazónica. Sin embargo el estudio reveló que el hábitat influyó en la composición de la flora gastrointestinal de las tortugas. El conocimiento de la flora gastrointestinal de los animales es de suma importancia en la identificación de los agentes patógenos presentes en la fauna nativa de la región amazónica.

The turtle Podocnemis expansa is an important wildlife species from the Amazon rainforest of Brazil. This also represents an important resource for coastal communities, as it has been historically consumed as food. Nevertheless, besides the sustainability issues, recent concerns have been raised over the health of the animals and possible impacts on public health. The aim of this study was to compare the occurrence of Enterobacteriaceae in the intestinal tract of captive and free living Amazon turtles. We examined a total of 116 adult turtles, including 51 free individuals from the island of Sao Miguel, in Santarém (Pará-PA) town, 50 captive business, and 15 from a conservation breeding area, located in the metropolitan area of Belém (PA). In total we obtained 245 bacterial growths in which 83 (33.8 %) were from the free ranging turtles, and 162 (65.7 %) isolates from captive animals. The species Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most frequent, with 52 isolates, totaling 21.2 % of bacterial growth, followed by Enterobacter cloacae 29 % (35/14), Serratia marcescens 84 % (29/11), and Salmonella spp. 80 % (24/9). In free ranging turtles the most commonly isolated microorganisms were Enterobacter spp., Klebsiella spp., and Citrobacter spp.; while Aeromonas spp., Klebsiela pneumoniae, S. marcescens, E. cloacae and Salmonella spp. were the most frequently identified microorganisms in captive animals. Results showed a greater diversity of microorganisms among the wild animals, and a high contamination per sample on captive animals. The species of Salmonella spp., E. coli and Acinetobacter spp. can be used as indicators of the sanitary quality of Amazon turtle populations. The habitat influenced the composition of the gastrointestinal flora of turtles. Knowledge of the gastrointestinal flora of animals is important for the identification of pathogens present in the native fauna of the Amazon region. Rev. Biol. Trop. 63 (4): 1083-1089. Epub 2015 December 01.