Sign in to use this feature.

Years

Between: -

Subjects

remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline

Journals

Article Types

Countries / Regions

Search Results (3)

Search Parameters:
Keywords = Drymarchon couperi

Order results
Result details
Results per page
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
13 pages, 2342 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Nutritional and Health Status in Captive Eastern Indigo Snakes (Drymarchon couperi) in Response to Formulated Sausage Diet
by Peyton R. Jackson, James E. Bogan, Ellen S. Dierenfeld and Zachary J. Loughman
Animals 2024, 14(22), 3324; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14223324 - 19 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1611
Abstract
The federally threatened eastern indigo snake (EIS; Drymarchon couperi) is an active ophiophagous snake once found throughout the southeastern US that is now restricted to southeastern Georgia and peninsular Florida. There are concerns regarding the potential impact of overconditioning or nutrient imbalances [...] Read more.
The federally threatened eastern indigo snake (EIS; Drymarchon couperi) is an active ophiophagous snake once found throughout the southeastern US that is now restricted to southeastern Georgia and peninsular Florida. There are concerns regarding the potential impact of overconditioning or nutrient imbalances on the reproductive fitness of breeding programs due to the occurrence of dystocia in nulliparous dams and the differing nutritional profiles of domestic and free-range prey species. We examined the blood cell counts, plasma biochemistry, and circulating plasma levels of nutrients in snakes consuming standard or experimental diets over a one-year period. Treatments included mixed whole laboratory animal prey (rodents, birds), whole prey ground into sausage, or a sausage with similar nutrient profiles measured in prey found in free-ranging EIS stomach contents. Plasma concentrations of vitamin E (maximum = 0.80 mg/mL) and selenium (maximum = 371 ng/mL) were within range of and exceeded values reported in free-ranging EIS (0.0365 mg/mL and 107.45 ng/mL), while plasma vitamin D3 concentrations (maximum = 64.1 ng/mL) were typically below minimum values observed in free-ranging EIS (46 ng/mL). Additional dietary studies initiated on juvenile subjects throughout reproductive maturity would provide an ideal experimental design for studying the linkage between reproductive health and nutrition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Animal Nutrition)
Show Figures

Figure 1

7 pages, 417 KiB  
Brief Report
Evaluating the Effects of Viruses on Eastern Indigo Snakes (Drymarchon couperi) with Gastric Cryptosporidiosis
by James E. Bogan, Robert J. Ossiboff, April L. Childress, James F. X. Wellehan and Alexandra K. Mason
Viruses 2024, 16(9), 1496; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16091496 - 21 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1348
Abstract
A breeding colony of wild-origin eastern indigo snakes (EISs, Drymarchon couperi) that is part of a reintroduction program has been impacted by gastric cryptosporidiosis. Gastric cryptosporidiosis is an insidious disease of squamates caused by an apicomplexan protozoan, Cryptosporidium serpentis. Viral coinfections [...] Read more.
A breeding colony of wild-origin eastern indigo snakes (EISs, Drymarchon couperi) that is part of a reintroduction program has been impacted by gastric cryptosporidiosis. Gastric cryptosporidiosis is an insidious disease of squamates caused by an apicomplexan protozoan, Cryptosporidium serpentis. Viral coinfections have been implicated as possible immunosuppressant agents that allow for disease progression and both adenovirus and reovirus have been implicated in allowing for the progression of gastric cryptosporidiosis during coinfection in other snake species. Molecular (PCR) screening for adenoviruses and reoviruses was performed for both C. serpentis-positive and C. serpentis-negative EIS within the breeding colony. No reoviruses were detected in the collection. Adenoviruses were present in 11/68 (16.2%) EISs evaluated, and there was no significant difference between C. serpentis-positive and C. serpentis-negative EISs (p = 0.196). There was no significant difference in adenovirus status between C. serpentis-positive EISs’ lifespan (p = 0.191) or survival rates (p = 0.823). These findings suggest that the presence of the adenoviruses found in this study does not contribute to the formation or progression of gastric cryptosporidiosis in EISs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Animal Viruses)
Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 733 KiB  
Article
Analytical and Clinical Evaluation of Two Methods for Measuring Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate in Eastern Indigo Snakes (Drymarchon couperi)
by James E. Bogan
Animals 2023, 13(3), 464; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13030464 - 28 Jan 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2091
Abstract
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a hematological test that can detect inflammatory activity within the body. Although not specific for any particular disease, ESR is often used as a screening “sickness indicator” due to its reliability and low cost. The Westergren method is [...] Read more.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a hematological test that can detect inflammatory activity within the body. Although not specific for any particular disease, ESR is often used as a screening “sickness indicator” due to its reliability and low cost. The Westergren method is a manual ESR technique commonly used but requires special graduated pipettes and over 1mL of whole blood, precluding its use in smaller patients where limited sample volumes can be obtained. A modified micro-ESR technique has been described using hematocrit capillary tubes but is used less commonly. ESR has been reported to be a useful inflammatory indicator in gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) and box turtles (Terrapene spp.) but not in Florida cottonmouth snakes (Agkistrodon conanti). Having an inexpensive screening test for inflammation can help guide medical decisions within conservation efforts of imperiled species. This study evaluated the correlation between these two ESR methodologies in threatened eastern indigo snakes (Drymarchon couperi, EIS) and found a very strong correlation (rs = 0.897), without constant or proportional biases and a reference interval of 0 (90% CI -1-1)–9 mm/h (90% CI 8-11) was defined. Additionally, a significant difference was found between healthy EIS and EIS in mid-ecdysis (p = 0.006) and EIS with gastric cryptosporidiosis (p = 0.006), indicating ESR as a useful inflammatory indicator in EIS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Herpetological Medicine and Surgery)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop