The Experts below are selected from a list of 74697 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Kristin S. Warren - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Reptile Euthanasia — No Easy Solution?
Pacific Conservation Biology, 2014Co-Authors: Kristin S. WarrenAbstract:Reptiles are commonly studied in biological research projects, and wildlife researchers may be required to euthanize a Reptile if it sustains a severe injury associated with the research. When conducting euthanasia of any animal it is critical to confirm death. Whilst in mammals and birds euthanasia and confirmation of death can easily be accomplished, in Reptiles these are not straight forward processes due to reptilian poikilothermic biology and physiology. Many traditional methods of Reptile euthanasia are controversial, and recommended methods of acceptable euthanasia vary amongst the different reptilian orders. Physical methods of euthanasia involving hypothermia or decapitation alone are considered inhumane and are not acceptable methods of euthanasia. Injectable pentobarbitone sodium is considered an acceptable method of euthanasia for all Reptiles, except large crocodiles and other large Reptile species where carcass removal in the wild may be problematic. However, in Australia pentobarbitone sodium is a Scheduled 4 drug with requirements for locked storage, and users other than registered veterinarians must apply for authorization to administer scheduled drugs. Stunning followed by destruction of the brain is considered acceptable with reservations in some small species of snakes and lizards, where these methods can be effectively accomplished. MS222 has been used in several species of Reptiles, however further research is required to determine whether this technique is effective and humane across the diverse range of reptilian species. Humane euthanasia in Reptiles is not easily achieved and, whilst recognizing limitations in accessing veterinary anaesthetic and euthanasia drugs, it can best be assured by using a two-stage euthanasia process - whereby the Reptile is initially anaesthetized, and then euthanized by administration of pentobarbitone sodium or alternatively a combination of decapitation and brain destruction following anaesthesia.
-
Reptile euthanasia – No easy solution?
2013Co-Authors: Kristin S. WarrenAbstract:Reptiles are commonly the subjects of biological or ecological research projects, and veterinarians or wildlife researchers may be required to euthanase a Reptile if it sustains a severe injury associated with the research. When conducting euthanasia of any animal it is critical to confirm death. Whilst in mammals and birds euthanasia and confirmation of death can easily be accomplished, in Reptiles these are not straight forward processes due to reptilian poikilothermic biology and physiology. Many traditional methods of Reptile euthanasia are controversial and recommended methods of acceptable euthanasia vary amongst the different reptilian orders. Physical methods of euthanasia involving hypothermia or decapitation alone are considered inhumane and are not acceptable methods of euthanasia. Injectable pentobarbitone sodium is considered an acceptable method of euthanasia for all Reptiles, except large crocodiles and other large Reptile species where carcass removal in the wild may be problematic e.g. sea turtles. However, pentobarbitone sodium is a Scheduled 4 drug with requirements for storage in a locked environment and users other than registered veterinarians must apply for authorisation to administer scheduled drugs. Stunning and destruction of the brain is considered acceptable with reservations in some species of snakes and lizards. Humane euthanasia in Reptiles is not easily accomplished and, whilst recognising limitations in accessing veterinary anaesthetic and euthanasia drugs, it can best be assured by using a two-stage euthanasia process – whereby the Reptile is initially anaesthetised, and then euthanased by administration of pentobarbitone sodium or decapitation and brain destruction following anaesthesia.
T. S. Kemp - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Reptiles: A Very Short Introduction
2019Co-Authors: T. S. KempAbstract:Reptiles: A Very Short Introduction introduces the extraordinary diversity of Reptiles that have walked the Earth, from the dinosaurs and other Reptiles of the past to modern-day living species. It discusses the adaptations Reptiles made to first leave the water and colonize dry land, which fitted them for their unique ways of life. Considering the variety of different living groups of Reptiles today, from lizards and snakes to crocodiles and turtles, it explores their biology and behaviour. Finally, this VSI assesses the threat of extinction to modern-day Reptile species due to over-exploitation, habitat destruction, and climate change, and considers what can be done.
-
Reptiles: A Very Short Introduction - 7. The future of the world’s Reptiles
Reptiles: A Very Short Introduction, 2019Co-Authors: T. S. KempAbstract:The world’s Reptile fauna is facing the threat of a considerable reduction in the number of species. One estimate is that by 2050 over 500 species, around 5 per cent, will have been lost. By 2080, the figure will have grown to 20 per cent, which is approximately 2,000 species. ‘The future of the world’s Reptiles’ explains that the threats to Reptiles are: commercial exploitation for food, medicines, and ornament; habitat destruction; global climate change; and pollution. Any comprehensive effort to conserve needs to address all of these. By far the most important way to conserve Reptiles is setting up and regulating various kinds of protected area. Another important approach is legislation to control trade in Reptiles.
Amos Bouskila - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Combined effects of climatic gradient and domestic livestock grazing on Reptile community structure in a heterogeneous agroecosystem
Oecologia, 2016Co-Authors: Guy Rotem, Yoni Gavish, Boaz Shacham, Itamar Giladi, Amos BouskilaAbstract:Grazing plays an important role in shaping ecological communities in human-related ecosystems. Although myriad studies have explored the joint effect of grazing and climate on plant communities, this interactive effect has rarely been studied in animals. We hypothesized that the effect of grazing on the Reptile community varies along a climatic gradient in relation to the effect of grazing on habitat characteristics, and that grazing differentially affects Reptiles of different biogeographic regions. We tested our hypotheses by collecting data on environmental characteristics and by trapping Reptiles in four heterogeneous landscapes experiencing differing grazing intensities and distributed along a sharp climatic gradient. We found that while Reptile diversity increased with grazing intensity at the mesic end of the gradient, it decreased with grazing intensity at the arid end. Moreover, the proportion of Reptile species of differing biogeographic origins varied with the interactive effect of climate and grazing. The representation of species originating in arid biogeographic zones was highest at the arid end of the climatic gradient, and representation increased with grazing intensity within this area. Regardless of the climatic context, increased grazing pressure results in a reduction in vegetation cover and thus in changes in habitat characteristics. By reducing vegetation cover, grazing increased habitat heterogeneity in the dense mesic sites and decreased habitat heterogeneity in the arid sites. Thus, our results suggest that the same direction of habitat alteration caused by grazing may have opposite effects on biodiversity and community composition in different climatic contexts.
Thomas H. Boyer - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Common procedures with venomous Reptiles.
The veterinary clinics of North America. Exotic animal practice, 2006Co-Authors: Thomas H. BoyerAbstract:Venomous Reptiles should be handled in a safe and consistent man-ner, even after death. Owners and staff should be warned not to handle the venomous Reptile, and one should have emergency protocols in place before the properly bagged and encased Reptile is presented. It is important to know what one is treating as well as one's limitations. After being carefully removed from the bag, the venomous Reptile may be transferred to a handling container, tubed, or squeezed with the appropriate equipment. The author usually induces injectable or gas anesthesia at this point. Veterinarians who are inexperienced with venomous Reptiles should learn how to handle them through a reputable seminar or class before electing to see them in their practice.
Elliott R. Jacobson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Infectious Diseases and Pathology of Reptiles: Color Atlas and Text - Infectious diseases and pathology of Reptiles : color atlas and text
2007Co-Authors: Elliott R. JacobsonAbstract:Overview of Reptile Biology, Anatomy, and Histology Elliott R Jacobson Reptile Immunology, Francesco C. Origgi Circulating Inflammatory Cells, Nicole Strik, A. Rick Alleman, and Kendal E. Harr Reptile Necropsy Techniques, Scott P. Terell and Brian A. Stacy Host Response to Infectious Agents and Identification of Pathogens in Tissue Section, Brian A. Stacy and Allan P. Pessier Identifying Reptile Pathogens Using Electron Microscopy, Elliott R. Jacobson and Don A. Samuelson Molecular Diagnostics, April J. Johnson, Francesco C. Origgi, and James F.X. Wellehan Serodiagnostics, Elliott R. Jacob son and Francesco C. Origgi Viruses and Viral Diseases of Reptiles, Elliott R. Jacobson Bacterial Diseases of Reptiles, Elliott R. Jacobson Mycotic Diseases in Reptiles, Jean A. Pare and Elliott Jacobson Parasites and Parasitic Diseases of Reptiles, Elliott R Jacobson Isolation of Pathogens, Francesco C. Origgi and Jean A. Pare
-
Future directions in Reptile medical education.
Journal of veterinary medical education, 2006Co-Authors: Elliott R. Jacobson, Darryl J. Heard, Ramiro IsazaAbstract:Reptile medicine has emerged as a specialty area within the broader field of zoological medicine. It encompasses the medical needs of approximately 7,500 vertebrate species. This vertebrate class is highly diversified, having biological and medical peculiarities that differ both between and within major groups. Historically, veterinarians who have become recognized specialists with Reptiles have had limited formal training in their medical management. The pet Reptile trade is a multi-million-dollar business, and the popularity of Reptiles as pets has resulted in a need for more veterinarians with training in their medical management. While few private practices have high volumes of Reptile cases, many small-animal practices will have the opportunity to see a significant number of Reptiles on an annual basis. Most practitioners with Reptile medical expertise have merged their experiences as Reptile pet owners with the principles of veterinary medicine taught in veterinary college. Several North American veterinary colleges have Reptile medicine courses, and most have didactic and clinical courses in exotic and zoo animal medicine that include lectures and practical experience. Most accredited zoological medicine residency training programs include training in Reptile medicine. The case load and interest in Reptile medicine will probably never be sufficient to lead the average veterinary college to develop much more than what is currently offered. Consequently, those few colleges having more extensive course offerings, both didactic and clinical, will serve as educational centers for this discipline. Future Web-based teaching programs in Reptile medicine will allow students nationally and internationally to have access to instructional material that can be continually updated.
-
Use of serology in Reptile medicine
Seminars in Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine, 2002Co-Authors: Elliott R. Jacobson, Francesco C. OriggiAbstract:Serologic assays are emerging as powerful tools for both diagnosing and screening collections of Reptiles for exposure to and infection with certain pathogens. For the most part, these tests were developed in research laboratories with a specific interest in diseases of captive and free-ranging Reptiles. Relatively few are commercially available, with most offered through individual research laboratories or universities. Tests have been developed for exposure to paramyxovirus of snakes, mycoplasma of tortoises and crocodilians, her-pesvirus infection of marine turtles and tortoises, cryptosporidium of snakes, and spirorchid trematodes of sea turtles. Of the various serologic tests, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is becoming the test with the most application. Although ELISA is relatively simple and has certain positive attributes such as high sensitivity and specificity, in the indirect format it does require specific anti-Reptile immunoglobulins that recognize and bind to the antibody being assayed. In this report, we review Reptile humoral immunity for the major orders of Reptiles, assays available for determining exposure of Reptiles to specific pathogens, and factors affecting the immune response of Reptiles.
