@article{tucker-retter_allender_nowak_suski_2023, title={Invasive Species as Sentinels: Measuring Health Outcomes in Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) during Removal}, volume={111}, ISSN={["2766-1520"]}, DOI={10.1643/i2021072}, abstractNote={Invasive species threaten ecosystems with destruction of native habitat, introduction of novel diseases, and enhanced competition with native wildlife subsequent to reduced predator control, leading, in many cases, towards efforts to actively remove individuals. While these effects are frequently studied, minimal research has investigated the individual or population health of the invasive species themselves. In this study, we describe multiple health outcomes of Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), an invasive species in the Illinois River, as a component of a long-term monitoring and removal program using electrofishing, gillnets, and trammel nets. Between April–October 2018, Silver Carp were collected from two reaches of the Illinois River, examined, blood was collected for hematologic measurements, and cranial kidneys collected for histologic examination of melanomacrophage centers. Collection location impacted body condition, as Silver Carp closer to the leading edge of invasion were heavier than those from more established populations. Silver Carp caught by nets had lower packed cell volumes than those caught by electrofishing. The Health Assessment Index (HAI) showed that 52% of livers and 53% of kidneys were grossly abnormal. The HAI comes with a caveat that validation protocols are required to implement this technique effectively. Hematology and histology are more likely to be useful in species for which reference ranges exist. Overall, invasive species contain a wealth of information on health outcomes that could be used to monitor ecosystem health, but techniques used for monitoring must be adapted to the species, management needs, and removal methods.}, number={1}, journal={ICHTHYOLOGY AND HERPETOLOGY}, author={Tucker-Retter, Emily K. and Allender, Matthew C. and Nowak, Romana A. and Suski, Cory D.}, year={2023}, month={Mar}, pages={8–19} }
 @article{tucker-retter_velsey-gross_deresienski_ulloa_munoz-perez_skehel_passingham_castaneda_lewbart_valle_2021, title={HEALTH STATUS OF NAZCA BOOBIES (SULA GRANTI) ON DAPHNE MAJOR ISLAND IN THE GALAPAGOS DETERMINED BY HEMATOLOGY, BIOCHEMISTRY, AND PHYSICAL EXAMINATION}, volume={52}, ISSN={["1937-2825"]}, DOI={10.1638/2020-0136}, abstractNote={Island species are particularly vulnerable to environmental disturbances and introduced pathogens. Conducting health assessments of wild populations in the Galápagos improves the ability of wildlife managers and veterinarians to detect deteriorations in health status. Seabirds in particular are useful species to monitor due to their colonial breeding and wide migration range. Nazca boobies (Sula granti) in a breeding colony at Daphne Major (n = 30) were given physical examinations, and blood samples were collected for hematology and biochemistry using an iSTAT Portable Clinical Analyzer. Female boobies had longer wing length than males, as well as lower blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and white blood cell counts. This could be attributed to sexual dimorphism or differences in foraging and mating strategies between the sexes. The time between capture and blood collection had a significant inverse relationship on plasma sodium, potassium, hemoglobin, anion gaps, and lymphocyte counts, suggesting that blood sampling in Nazca boobies should be done in less than 5 m to avoid the impacts of stress on hematological parameters. This is the first health assessment on the breeding colony of Nazca boobies at Daphne Major, and the results can inform future monitoring in this species as well as other sulids.}, number={2}, journal={JOURNAL OF ZOO AND WILDLIFE MEDICINE}, author={Tucker-Retter, Emily K. and Velsey-Gross, Zoe and Deresienski, Diane and Ulloa, Catalina and Munoz-Perez, Juan-Pablo and Skehel, Alice and Passingham, Ronald K. and Castaneda, Jason and Lewbart, Gregory A. and Valle, Carlos A.}, year={2021}, month={Jun}, pages={671–679} }
 @article{curtis-quick_ulanov_li_bieber_tucker-retter_suski_2021, title={Why the Stall? Using metabolomics to define the lack of upstream movement of invasive bigheaded carp in the Illinois River}, volume={16}, ISSN={["1932-6203"]}, DOI={10.1371/journal.pone.0258150}, abstractNote={Bigheaded Carp have spread throughout the Mississippi River basin since the 1970s. Little has stopped the spread as carp have the ability to pass through locks and dams, and they are currently approaching the Great Lakes. However, the location of the leading edge in the Illinois River has stalled for over a decade, even though there is no barrier preventing further advancement towards the Great Lakes. Defining why carp are not moving towards the Great Lakes is important for predicting why they might advance in the future. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that anthropogenic contaminants in the Illinois River may be playing a role in preventing further upstream movement of Bigheaded Carp. Ninety three livers were collected from carp at several locations between May and October of 2018. Liver samples were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in a targeted metabolite profiling approach. Livers from carp at the leading edge had differences in energy use and metabolism, and suppression of protective mechanisms relative to downstream fish; differences were consistent across time. This body of work provides evidence that water quality is linked to carp movement in the Illinois River. As water quality in this region continues to improve, consideration of this impact on carp spread is essential to protect the Great Lakes.}, number={10}, journal={PLOS ONE}, author={Curtis-Quick, Jocelyn A. and Ulanov, Alexander V and Li, Zhong and Bieber, John F. and Tucker-Retter, Emily K. and Suski, Cory D.}, year={2021}, month={Oct} }