@article{koutsos_minter_ange-van heugten_mejia-fava_harms_2021, title={Blood Fatty Acid Profiles of Neiritic Juvenile Wild Green Turtles (Chelonia Mydas) and Kemp's Ridleys (Lepidochelys Kempii)}, volume={52}, ISSN={1042-7260}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1638/2019-0173}, DOI={10.1638/2019-0173}, abstractNote={Abstract: Blood fatty acid profiles can indicate an animal's wild-type diet composition and fatty acid status, but have not been reported in sea turtles. Newer technologies allow for fatty acid profiles from very small (less than three drops) samples of whole blood. This study examined whole blood fatty acid profiles of presumably healthy, neritic, juvenile, wild green (Chelonia mydas) (n = 9; 6 males, 3 females) and Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) (n = 8; 6 males, 2 females) turtles from North Carolina, USA. Saturated fatty acids, which can be synthesized de novo, consisted primarily of 16:0, although green turtle blood had a higher proportion of 18:0 (P < 0.001) than Kemp's ridleys, while Kemp's ridley blood had higher proportions of 17:0 (P = 0.007), 20:0 (P = 0.03), 22:0 (P= 0.002), and 24:0 (P < 0.001) as compared with green turtles. Total monounsaturated w7 fatty acids, which can be synthesized de novo or may be diet derived, were higher in Kemp's ridleys and predominantly in the form of 16:1 and 18:1w7 fatty acids. Kemp's ridley blood had more than double the relative proportion of 16:1w7 as compared with green turtles (P= 0.03). Green turtles had higher levels of 18:2w6 than Kemp's ridleys (P= 0.02). In both turtle species, 20:4w6 was detected, despite predicted low dietary proportions, suggesting bioconversion from precursors. Finally, green turtles had higher levels of 18:3w3 compared with Kemp's ridleys, while Kemp's ridleys had higher proportions of 20:5w3 compared with green turtles (P < 0.001, = 0.007, respectively). Whole blood fatty acid profiles generally correlate to previous work with lipid depots, supporting the use of this less invasive methodology to advance the understanding of fatty acid nutrition of sea turtles. These data can be used to assess and guide nutrition and health programs for sea turtles under human care.}, number={2}, journal={Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine}, publisher={American Association of Zoo Veterinarians}, author={Koutsos, Elizabeth A. and Minter, Larry J. and Ange-Van Heugten, Kimberly D. and Mejia-Fava, Johanna C. and Harms, Craig A.}, year={2021}, month={Jun}, pages={610–617} }
 @article{freel_koutsos_minter_tollefson_ridgley_smith_scott_ange‐van heugten_2021, title={Cane toad (
            Rhinella marina
            ) vitamin A, vitamin E, and carotenoid kinetics}, volume={41}, ISSN={0733-3188 1098-2361}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21648}, DOI={10.1002/zoo.21648}, abstractNote={Many amphibian species are threatened with extinction. Understanding their vitamin A (retinol), E (alpha-tocopherol), and carotenoid requirements is vital, as normal levels of these nutrients have a known connection to breeding success with abnormal levels leading to disease. This research examined vitamins A, E, and carotenoids (apocarotenoid, beta-carotene; beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, and esters) concentration kinetics in the liver and plasma of 65 (57.8) cane toads (Rhinella marina) over 4 months supplemented with commercially available invertebrates in human care. Cane toads were opportunistically collected as part of a population control program for use as an amphibian model species. Toads were randomly assigned to one of two diets: treatment 1 was brown house crickets (Acheta domesticus) consuming Mazuri® Hi Calcium Gut Loading Diet without vitamin A or E supplement, plus fresh raw vegetables (carrot/sweet potato); Treatment 2 was the same diet except no vegetables. Ten toads were euthanized on Day 0 to analyze baseline free-ranging liver and plasma metabolites. Six toads consuming each treatment were euthanized on Days 22, 50, and 81, and n = 7 on Day 119 for analysis. Regardless of dietary treatment, most liver and blood metabolites were substantially higher at time 0 than all time points thereafter (p < .05); Ex: liver vitamin A at time 0 was 87.7 ± 16.12 µg/g while Day 119 for treatments 1 and 2 were 11.6 ± 1.19 and 8.2 ± 0.74, respectively. Few statistically significant differences between diets at the same time point were noted (p < .05). The results from this study indicate that additional or alternative diet supplementation may be needed for cane toads (and potentially other amphibians) to mimic their free-ranging diets.}, number={1}, journal={Zoo Biology}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Freel, Tarra and Koutsos, Elizabeth and Minter, Larry J. and Tollefson, Troy and Ridgley, Frank and Smith, Dustin and Scott, Heather and Ange‐van Heugten, Kimberly}, year={2021}, month={Aug}, pages={34–43} }
 @article{freel_koutsos_minter_tollefson_ridgley_brown_smith_scott_ange-van heugten_2021, title={URINARY CORTICOSTERONE CONCENTRATIONS IN FREE-RANGING AND MANAGED CANE TOADS (RHINELLA MARINA)}, volume={52}, ISSN={["1937-2825"]}, DOI={10.1638/2020-0221}, abstractNote={Abstract: Approximately 40% of amphibian species are threatened with extinction. The welfare of amphibians maintained under managed care as assurance populations is of vital importance to guard against extinction and provide a viable source population for future reintroduction. To manage amphibian species properly ex situ, it is important to understand how stress levels change over time when animals are removed from the wild and placed into managed environments. Corticosterone was analyzed in urine samples from free-ranging cane toads (Rhinella marina, n = 55) in Miami, FL, and under managed care for 22 (n = 48), 50 (n = 11), 81 (n = 25), or 119 (n = 10) days. Concentrations of corticosterone in free-ranging toad urine averaged 1.74 ± 0.195 ng/ml urine specific gravity (sp. gr.), which was greater (P < 0.05) than other time points (day 22: 0.77 ± 0.114 L; day 81: 0.85 ± 0.191 ng/ml sp. gr.; day 119: 0.58 ± 0.093 ng/ml sp. gr.), except day 50 (0.91 ± 0.274 ng/ml sp. gr.), which was not different from free-ranging or managed care values. Thus, corticosterone was lower in cane toads under managed care compared with those sampled in the wild, suggesting that managed care is not a stressor for this species.}, number={4}, journal={JOURNAL OF ZOO AND WILDLIFE MEDICINE}, author={Freel, Tarra and Koutsos, Elizabeth and Minter, Larry J. and Tollefson, Troy N. and Ridgley, Frank and Brown, Janine L. and Smith, Dustin and Scott, Heather and Ange-van Heugten, Kimberly}, year={2021}, month={Dec}, pages={1234–1240} }
 @article{wood_koutsos_kendall_minter_tollefson_ange‐van heugten_2020, title={Analyses of African elephant (
            Loxodonta africana
            ) diet with various browse and pellet inclusion levels}, volume={39}, ISSN={0733-3188 1098-2361}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21522}, DOI={10.1002/zoo.21522}, abstractNote={To more closely simulate the diet of free-ranging elephants, the diet of six (2.4) African elephants (Loxodonta africana) was altered to include more browse and less pelleted complete feed (5% total diet). Dietary proximate compounds, minerals, vitamins A (and carotenoids), D and E, and fatty acids were analyzed on pelleted diet items and forages including hay, grass, and browse. A total of 42 browse species were offered over 1 year with an average total diet inclusion of 5.2% (dry matter basis) per day. Dietary Na and Se were low while Fe and Mn were high compared to published intake levels for elephants. Analyzed nutrients within browse varied widely among seasons and species. Ingredient analyses were used to create predicted elephant nutrient intake for (a) the current diet, (b) a diet excluding pellets, and (c) a diet excluding pellets and providing browse at doubled levels. Formulated diets excluding pellets had lower mineral levels than the current diet and doubled browse did not alter mineral inclusions of concern. This study provides seasonal data on the nutrient levels of Southeastern browse species important for various pachyderm and herbivorous species. Predicted nutrient intake with new diet scenarios does not support the exclusion of pellets in the diets of African elephants without greater browse quantity availability, strict diet management, or additional supplements.}, number={1}, journal={Zoo Biology}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Wood, Jordan and Koutsos, Elizabeth and Kendall, Corinne J. and Minter, Larry J. and Tollefson, Troy N. and Ange‐van Heugten, Kimberly}, year={2020}, month={Jan}, pages={37–50} }
 @article{dass_koutsos_minter_ange-van heugten_2020, title={Analysis of Fatty Acid Profiles in Eastern Box (Terrapene Carolina Carolina) and Common Snapping (Chelydra Serpentine) Turtles for Wild and Managed Care Environments}, volume={51}, ISSN={1042-7260}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1638/2019-0146}, DOI={10.1638/2019-0146}, abstractNote={Abstract: The housing of wild animals in managed care facilities requires attention to all aspects of husbandry. Diets of wild animals often differ in composition, consistency, and quantity when compared with those in managed care settings including zoos, rehabilitation facilities, and aquaria. It was hypothesized that dietary differences from wild versus managed care would be reflected in data of circulating fatty acids based on previous studies. The current study examined the effect of species and environment on fatty acid concentrations in two omnivorous species of chelonians: Eastern box turtles, Terrapene carolina carolina, and common snapping turtles, Chelydra serpentina, located in the wild and managed care. Whole blood was collected and placed on spot cards for analysis of 26 fatty acids in a total lipid fatty acid profile. The present research indicated that Eastern box turtles have significantly (P < 0.05) higher percentages of linoleic acid (18:2n6), eicosadienoic acid (20:2n6), and mead acid (20:3n9). Common snapping turtles have significantly (P < 0.05) higher percentages of myristic acid (14:0), dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (20:3n6), erucic acid (22:1n9), and n-6 docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n6). Environmental effects also were noted; wild turtles had higher percentages of α-linolenic acid (18:3n3), arachidic acid (20:0), eicosadienoic acid (20:2n6), and eicosatrienoic acid (20:3n3) (P < 0.05), whereas n-6 docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n6) was higher for the managed care group. Eicosadienoic acid (20:2n6), behenic acid; 22:0), adrenic acid (22:4n6), n-6 docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n6), and nervonic acid (24:1) were significantly different (P < 0.05) in species–environment interactions without any noted species or environment patterns. Fatty acids are useful for many important biological functions including proper immune system regulation, and therefore, the present research provides medically relevant data for reptile diagnostics. This research may help further improve diets of all chelonians kept in managed care, regardless of species.}, number={3}, journal={Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine}, publisher={American Association of Zoo Veterinarians}, author={Dass, Khushboo and Koutsos, Elizabeth and Minter, Larry J. and Ange-van Heugten, Kimberly}, year={2020}, month={Nov}, pages={478–484} }
 @article{wood_koutsos_kendall_minter_tollefson_ivory_ange‐van heugten_2020, title={Circulating nutrients and hematological parameters in managed African elephants (
            Loxodonta Africana
            ) over a 1‐year period}, volume={39}, ISSN={0733-3188 1098-2361}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21556}, DOI={10.1002/zoo.21556}, abstractNote={African elephants (Loxodonta Africana) are currently considered a vulnerable species. One key to improving methods of species management is to better monitor and understand elephant nutrition. Analyzing circulating nutrients is one of the best and least invasive methods of monitoring managed elephant nutrition, but limited reference values are available. This study examined the circulating basic hematology concentrations, minerals, vitamins A, D, and E, and fatty acids of six African elephants (two males and four females) at the North Carolina Zoo collected monthly from March 2016 to April 2017 and compared levels among seasons. Creatinine (CRE) and albumin had seasonal differences (p ≤ .05). Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc, cobalt, manganese, and molybdenum displayed seasonal differences (p ≤ .05). Retinol and 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 had seasonal differences (p ≤ .05). Linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, total omega-3 fatty acids, total omega-6 fatty acids, and the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio showed seasonal differences (p ≤ .05). Findings suggest that exogenous vitamin E supplements may not be necessary with a mixed feedstuff diet (hay, fortified concentrate pellet, browse, and produce) based on circulating values. This data offer updated information on circulating reference values and novel circulating concentrations of nutrients for Southeastern US managed African elephants that can be used to inform nutritional and health management in all similar habitats.}, number={5}, journal={Zoo Biology}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Wood, Jordan and Koutsos, Elizabeth and Kendall, Corinne J. and Minter, Larry J. and Tollefson, Troy and Ivory, Erin and Ange‐van Heugten, Kimberly}, year={2020}, month={Jul}, pages={345–354} }