@article{chung_womble_lewbart_hall_dombrowski_2025, title={Anatomical and histological analysis of an undescribed cervical skin fold structure in spotted turtles (Clemmys gutatta)}, volume={15}, DOI={10.1038/s41598-025-12467-9}, abstractNote={Turtles evolved over 230 million years ago during the Triassic period, and are a group of ectothermic reptiles that can be found everywhere in the world except Antarctica. There are approximately 350 species of extant turtles with a wide variety of anatomic and physiologic differences, ranging from sea turtles with large and slender flippers adapted for propulsion during swimming, to snapping turtles that have extremely flexible necks for quickly catching prey. In this study, we provide the first description of an anatomical structure arising from the cervical (neck) skin of spotted turtles (Clemmys gutatta). Based on other species evaluated in this study, the structure appears to be unique to spotted turtles. While the function is currently unknown, it is suspected to serve a protective role for the head and neck of the turtle much like the hinged shell of some other chelonians. This structure may provide clues to the evolution between a turtle that has an unhinged shell such as a yellow-bellied slider (Trachemys scripta) and a turtle that has a hinged shell such as an eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina), utilized for evading predation or danger. By describing this structure, both grossly and microscopically, we can make inferences about its possible function. The proposed name for this structure is the clemmysian fold.}, number={1}, journal={Scientific Reports}, author={Chung, Meghan V. and Womble, Mandy and Lewbart, Gregory A. and Hall, Jeffrey G. and Dombrowski, Daniel S.}, year={2025}, month={Aug} }
 @article{chung_lewbart_westermeyer_love_dombrowski_2024, title={Expanding the invertebrate medicine toolbox: evaluation of opisthosoma tonometry as a novel diagnostic tool for arachnids}, volume={85}, DOI={10.2460/ajvr.24.02.0053}, abstractNote={Abstract OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to analyze the use of rebound tonometry, as a noninvasive diagnostic tool, in arachnids. METHODS 5 juvenile (yearling) female and 1 juvenile male curlyhair tarantulas ( Tliltocatl albopilosus , previously Brachypelma albopilosum ) were used to track estimated ventral opisthosoma pressures over a 9-month period of time. Younger, growing animals were selected as they are more likely than adults to go through multiple molts throughout the 9 months of the study length. An iCare TONOVET TV01 rebound tonometer was used to measure the estimated ventral opisthosoma pressures of the spiders. Measurements were obtained from the ventral opisthosoma, 1 of the thinnest areas of exocuticle throughout the body. Readings were obtained once per week from the ventral opisthosoma for the first 2 months, then once every 2 weeks for 1 month, then back to once per week for the remainder of the study. Additional measurements were obtained following each ecdysis, after a 2% body weight sampling of hemolymph, and at the end of the study to evaluate readings in response to induction of general anesthesia with 5% isoflurane gas and oxygen flow at 2 L/min for 10 minutes. RESULTS The average of all estimated ventral opisthosoma pressure when spiders were not in molt was 26.19 mm Hg (SD, 3.54), with a statistically significant decrease postmolt to an average of 15.31 mm Hg (SD, 3.81), followed by a gradual increase back to premolt pressures over a 3-week period with an average of 22 days (SD, 1.93). Estimated ventral opisthosoma pressures decreased post hemolymph removal. There is not sufficient evidence that estimated ventral opisthosoma pressures changed over time following the anesthesia. CLINICAL RELEVANCE This study demonstrates that tonometry can be used to generally assess the estimated ventral opisthosoma pressure, which could correlate with where a spider is in an ecdysis cycle.}, number={11}, journal={American Journal of Veterinary Research}, author={Chung, Meghan V. and Lewbart, Gregory A. and Westermeyer, Hans D. and Love, Kim R. and Dombrowski, Daniel S.}, year={2024}, month={Sep} }