Comparative Blood Profile Analysis of Captive Green (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) Turtles

Afiqah Dharwisyah David; Mohd Uzair Rusli; Muhammad Fathullah Ruslan; Juanita Joseph; Syamsyahidah Samsol

doi:10.55230/mabjournal.v54i2.3034

Authors

Afiqah Dharwisyah David Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Mohd Uzair Rusli Sea Turtle Research Unit (SEATRU), Institute of Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
Muhammad Fathullah Ruslan Fisheries Research Institute Rantau Abang, Dungun, Terengganu, Malaysia
Juanita Joseph Borneo Marine Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Syamsyahidah Samsol
syamsyahidah@gmail.com
Sea Turtle Research Unit (SEATRU), Institute of Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia

Keywords:

Blood Biochemistry, Blood Gas, Endangered Species, Hematological Morphology, South China Sea

Abstract

The green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), classified as endangered and critically endangered, respectively, face significant survival threats. To assess their health status, a study was conducted using a portable blood analyzer on eight captive sea turtles kept at the Fisheries Research Institute of Rantau Abang (FRIRA), Terengganu, Malaysia. Blood gas, biochemical, and hematological parameters were analyzed. Findings were generally consistent with previously reported hematological values and morphology, except for total white blood cell (WBC) counts. Comparisons with published data on sea turtles worldwide showed higher ranges of mean values for lactate (Lac), glucose (Glu), creatinine (Crea), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), packed cell per volume (PCV), and WBC counts. Captive green and hawksbill turtles exhibited higher concentrations of Glu and Lac than previously documented values, with mean Glu and Lac levels of 100.50 mg/dL and 6.75 mmoL/L in green turtles and 121.00 mg/dL and 0.93 mmoL/L in hawksbill turtles. These variations were attributed to differences in life stage, diet, and environmental conditions. Glucose levels were indicative of dietary influence, while lactate concentrations suggested stress, emphasizing the importance of specialized dietary management and the potential stress experienced by green turtles in captivity. These findings provide invaluable reference points for monitoring the health of captive sea turtles in rehabilitation settings. Additionally, it also highlights the unique physiological characteristics of sea turtles in the South China Sea and the impact of captivity on their blood profiles, contributing to ongoing conservation efforts.

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