Health Assessment of Painted Turtles (CHRYSEMYS PICTA) in a Restored Wetland Habitat in Northwestern Indiana, USA
This study evaluates the health of painted turtles in the restored Efroymson Restoration at Kankakee Sands, Indiana. Researchers assessed disease presence, clinical pathology, trace minerals, and sex‑based differences to establish baseline health indicators for monitoring freshwater turtle populations in restored wetland ecosystems.
Subject Tags
- Habitat restoration
- Wetlands
Abstract
Freshwater turtles are sensitive to environmental changes and can serve as sentinel species for ecosystem health assessments. The Efroymson Restoration at Kankakee Sands in northwestern Indiana, USA has been restored in the past 25 yr from primarily agricultural land to a mosaic of prairie and wetland habitats. Health assessments of 40 free-ranging painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) at Kankakee Sands were performed in May 2021 to evaluate overall health status, screen for infectious diseases, and obtain baseline clinical pathology values in this population. Assessment of each turtle included a physical examination, complete blood count, plasma biochemistry panel, blood lactate level, venous blood gas analysis, serum trace mineral panel, serum vitamin D3 level, and plasma protein electrophoresis. Oral and cloacal swabs were tested for adenoviruses, herpesviruses, frog virus 3, and Mycoplasmopsis species by PCR in 39 painted turtles. Four turtles were positive for adenovirus, which shared 100% homology to Sulawesi tortoise adenovirus. Two turtles were herpesvirus-positive with 100% homology to emydid herpesvirus 1. No Mycoplasmopsis spp. or frog virus 3 was detected. Female turtles had significantly higher manganese, prealbumin, uric acid, triglycerides, and ionized calcium levels, while male turtles had significantly higher cholesterol, glutamate dehydrogenase, and CO2 levels. These baseline data can be used for future research into freshwater turtle health in restored wetland habitats.
Citation
Vincent, E. C., Fayette, M. A., Griffioen, J. A., Litwiler, G., Adamovicz, L., Ospina, E., & Allender, M. C. (2023). Health assessment of painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) in a restored wetland habitat in northwestern Indiana, USA. The Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 59(2), 245-258.
TNC Authors
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Garet Litwiler
The Nature Conservancy