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Transmission Of Ranavirus Between Ectothermic Vertebrate Hosts, R Brenes, Matt J. Gray, T B. Waltzek, Rebecca P. Wilkes, Debra L. Miller Jan 2014

Transmission Of Ranavirus Between Ectothermic Vertebrate Hosts, R Brenes, Matt J. Gray, T B. Waltzek, Rebecca P. Wilkes, Debra L. Miller

Debra L Miller

Transmission is an essential process that contributes to the survival of pathogens. Ranaviruses are known to infect different classes of lower vertebrates including amphibians, fishes and reptiles. Differences in the likelihood of infection among ectothermic vertebrate hosts could explain the successful yearlong persistence of ranaviruses in aquatic environments. The goal of this study was to determine if transmission of a Frog Virus 3 (FV3)-like ranavirus was possible among three species from different ectothermic vertebrate classes: Cope's gray treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis) larvae, mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis), and red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans). We housed individuals previously exposed to the FV3-like ranavirus …


Seasonal Trends In Nesting Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys Coriacea) Serum Proteins Further Verify Capital Breeding Hypothesis, Justin R. Perrault, J Wyneken, A Page-Karjian, A Merrill, Debra L. Miller Jan 2014

Seasonal Trends In Nesting Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys Coriacea) Serum Proteins Further Verify Capital Breeding Hypothesis, Justin R. Perrault, J Wyneken, A Page-Karjian, A Merrill, Debra L. Miller

Debra L Miller

Serum protein concentrations provide insight into the nutritional and immune status of organisms. It has been suggested that some marine turtles are capital breeders that fast during the nesting season. In this study, we documented serum proteins in neo-phyte and remigrant nesting leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea). This allowed us to establish trends across the nesting season to determine whether these physiological parameters indicate if leatherbacks forage or fast while on nesting grounds. Using the biuret method and agarose gel electrophoresis, total serum protein (median=5.0g/dl) and protein fractions were quantified and include pre-albumin (median=0.0g/dl), albumin (median=1.81g/dl),α1-globulin (median=0.90g/dl),α2-globulin(median]=0.74g/dl), total α-globulin (median=1.64g/dl), …