Knafo S Emmanuelle, Norton Terry M, Mitchell Mark, Stevenson Dirk J, Hyslop Natalie, Poppenga Robert, Oliva Marcie, Chen Tai, Cray Carolyn, Gibbs Samantha E J, Durden Lance, Stedman Nancy, Divers Stephen, Dierenfeld Ellen
J Zoo Wildl Med. 2016 Dec;47(4):1000-1012. doi: 10.1638/2015-0127.1.
Clinical pathology and nutritional parameters are useful in evaluating and monitoring threatened and endangered wildlife populations, but reference ranges for most snake species are lacking. From 2001 to 2005, health assessments were performed on 58 eastern indigo snakes (EIS) (Drymarchon couperi) captured in the wild in southeastern Georgia, United States. Health and nutritional assessments performed included hematology, serum biochemistry, fat-soluble vitamins, heavy metals, pesticide contaminants, parasitology, and surveys of other pathogens. Significant differences in total solids, packed cell volume, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, albumin : globulin ratio, amylase, triglycerides, and bile acids between males and females were observed. Additionally, there was a significant difference between liver and kidney concentrations for vitamins A and E. As previously noted in captive EIS, total Ca was elevated in comparison to concentrations reported in other snake species. Parasitism was a common finding in sampled EIS, but the overall health status of this free-ranging population appeared good. A winter-time dermatitis was found in most snakes, which resolved in the summer months. This study represents the first health and nutritional assessment of free-ranging EIS, and provides needed data to guide monitoring and conservation efforts.
临床病理学和营养参数对于评估和监测受威胁及濒危野生动物种群很有用，但大多数蛇类物种的参考范围尚缺。2001年至2005年期间，对在美国佐治亚州东南部野外捕获的58条东部靛蓝蛇（EIS）（Drymarchon couperi）进行了健康评估。所进行的健康和营养评估包括血液学、血清生物化学、脂溶性维生素、重金属、农药污染物、寄生虫学以及其他病原体调查。观察到雄性和雌性在总固体、红细胞压积、葡萄糖、血尿素氮、白蛋白：球蛋白比率、淀粉酶、甘油三酯和胆汁酸方面存在显著差异。此外，维生素A和E在肝脏和肾脏中的浓度也存在显著差异。如先前在圈养的EIS中所指出的，与其他蛇类物种报告的浓度相比总钙升高。寄生虫感染在抽样的EIS中是常见发现，但这个自由放养种群的整体健康状况似乎良好。在大多数蛇中发现了冬季皮炎，在夏季月份可消退。本研究代表了对自由放养的EIS的首次健康和营养评估，并提供了指导监测和保护工作所需的数据。
