RAW 2012
Exhibits and Animal Health Abstracts
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OUR GLOWING SEAS, THE MYSTERY OF UNDERWATER FLUORESCENCE Ann Money, Oklahoma Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
An underwater mystery is being brought to the surface. Bioluminescence is a well-known underwater phenomenon, and how it is used by the animals that produce it has been well studied. Fluorescence has also been well studied, but its biological function in marine organisms is far less understood. Early theories of why animals fluoresce are that fluorescence is a form of sunscreen or, of course, that it is used for communication. The Oklahoma Aquarium recently hosted a photography exhibit by Brandi Irwin: "Something Special Underwater". Ms. Irwin and her team at Liquid Film Photography specialize in photographing and filming fluorescence. While the team was at the Aquarium, we decided to see what was fluorescing in our own “backyard”. What we discovered did not disappoint, we discovered many species fluoresce under the proper lights and while viewed with the proper lenses. The number of animals that fluoresce in aquariums opens the door for further research of the biological function of fluorescence. It also provides a wonderful educational opportunity for us to offer after hours night tours for guests where they can experience yet another wonder of our planet; the scope of our glowing seas. There will be an accompanying video filmed on location in Indonesia by Liquid Film Photography. |
ANIMAL ATTRACTION: WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?
Pam Montbach, Steinhart Aquarium, California Academy of Sciences Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Nothing in life is more important than sex. Most of what we consider beautiful and flamboyant in the natural world is concerned with reproduction. From a bird's plumage, to the color and shape of fruits and flowers, organisms are designed to enhance their potential to reproduce. Sex drives evolution; the recombination of genes leads to the creation of completely new genotypes that either survive or perish. This winter the Steinhart Aquarium at the California Academy of Sciences unveiled the first new aquarium exhibition since our re-opening in the fall of 2008. Titled Animal Attraction, 18 exhibits highlight the means and methods used by a variety of plants and animals to reproduce. From deep sea anglerfish to banana slugs, this exhibit uses both preserved and live specimens to illustrate a bewildering array of reproductive methodologies. In addition, Apple's iPad2 is being used as an interactive digital label for the first time in a public aquarium. The iPad provides content for each exhibit, including video, still images and text, and allows visitors to explore at their own pace and learning level. This presentation will discuss the development of the exhibit and illustrate the organisms within. |
AULANI: REVIEW OF OUR MARINE TELEOST QUARANTINE PROCESS Eric Curtis, Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
On August 29th, 2011, Aulani®, a Disney Resort and Spa opened on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. It has exhibits that showcase freshwater koi, a local stingray species (Dasyatis lata), and 41 species of marine reef fish. I will present the marine teleost quarantine procedures that were used and detail the challenges that had to be overcome. Procedures that were used included: moving fish to clean tanks every three days with concurrent Praziquantel treatments; freshwater dips on arrival; copper; Chloroquine; and Praziquantel. The last protocol was the performance of exit exam diagnostics including skin scrape, gill clip and cloacal lavage on 10% of the individuals of each species. In our first runs the average survival rate was 87% but after our biofilters were completely cycled the average quarantine survival rate was just over 95%, although we did experience higher mortality in certain species. A total of 15 groups of fish was quarantined within a period of 174 days. We had 6 different quarantine systems at 2 different locations. Copper was only used for one group while the remaining 14 groups all had Chloroquine as the primary antiparasitic agent. As in all newly constructed systems with short time-lines, the biological filters associated with these quarantine systems had fluctuating water qualities during the first quarantine runs. In order to maintain appropriate water quality, we used Amquel® (Kordon LLC, Hayward, CA) additions, large water changes, and the addition of live bacteria cultures (FritzZyme™ Turbostart™ 900, Fritz Ind. Mesquite, TX) to assist our struggling biofilters. Water quality stabilized once the biofilters had been exposed to the various treatment regimes and the biofilters cycled. I will present some interesting observations that were made of these quarantine groups and speak to current thinking in regards to their etiology. |
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VITAMIN D-3 IN CAPTIVE GREEN SEA TURTLES, CHELONIA MYDAS Hugh Purgley, Shark Reef Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
During an accreditation review of the Shark Reef Aquarium at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) reviewers expressed concern about the possible effects of low light intensity and absence of ultraviolet light on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in our green turtles (Chelonia mydas). In an effort to address this concern, blood samples from the aquarium’s 3 resident green turtles were periodically analyzed over a 5-year period. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level in a green turtle living at a second indoor facility for 432 months was also analyzed. Two of 4 turtles housed at a third facility were moved from an outdoor to an indoor habitat, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level of all 4 turtles was measured over a 2-year period. In this limited population, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels began to decline about 4–5 months following indoor confinement and continued to decline for 6–8 years. Turtles in the outdoor facility had vitamin D3 blood serum concentrations of 60–70 nmol/L. After 6–8 years of confinement indoors, blood serum concentrations of vitamin D3 declined to 5– 15 nmol/L. Although clinical symptoms of low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were not detected during regular veterinary examination of this limited study population, further research is needed to elucidate the long-term effects of restricted ultraviolet exposure or low dietary intake of vitamin D3 in green turtles. Blood serum concentration of vitamin D3 in wild turtles has apparently not been reported. |
KICKING IT "OLD SCHOOL": THE USE OF HONEY IN ABSCESS TREATMENT FOR KEMP'S RIDLEY SEA TURTLE, LEPIDOCHELYS KEMPII
Carly Byrns, SeaLife Minnesota Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Common, everyday, store bought honey, was used for post-surgical treatment of an abscess located at the base of the tail on the ventral side of the carapace on a 17 year old, Kemp's Ridley sea turtle, Lepidochelys kempii. Honey has been said to have been used by the Egyptians for wound and burn treatments over 4000 years ago. Most of these “old-school” remedies have been forgotten or substituted with modern medicine replacements. These natural remedies have proven to be beneficial to wound treatment to kill bacteria and enhance granulation using acidic pH and osmolarity. There is limited knowledge and documentation of the use of honey to treat wounds and burns in reptiles. Previous documentation has been limited to small animal veterinarians in the treatment of dogs, cats and other mammals. We first discovered honey being used to treat wounds by the Sea Turtle Hospital on Marathon Key. With the location of the abscess in the upper layers of the epithelium we felt that treating the wound with honey would be the most successful course of treatment. A marsupialization technique was performed to keep the abscess open to allow for daily flushing with dilute Betadine and honey administration. After treatment the sea turtle was “dry docked” for 20 minutes then replaced back in her holding pool. The healing process took approximately 11 weeks with no complications. The abscess completely healed and the sea turtle made a full recovery. Due to our success with the honey treatment we have continued to use it as a standard treatment for other wounds and lacerations on our other sea turtles and terrapins. |
HYPERBARIC CHAMBERS FOR ROCKFISH AT THE MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM Joe Welsh, Monterey Bay Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The diverse and numerous rockfish (Sebastes spp.) living between 30 and 200M deep in Monterey Bay have been under-represented in the Monterey Bay Aquarium's exhibits because of the difficulty in collecting and holding healthy animals from these depths. In the past, aquarium collectors have positioned themselves using SCUBA gear at 20 meters under a fishing boat to receive rockfishes being reeled up. Here the fishes' airbladders were relieved with hypodermic needles before passing the fish up to the surface. This was a successful collecting method though it was logistically challenging. More recently, Jeff Smiley (Hubbs-Sea World) brought large rockfish straight to the surface from over 100 meters. These fish were quickly moved into pressure vessels and successfully recompressed and decompressed for eventual acclimatization to surface pressure. Inspired by Smiley's efforts, and also by some smaller chambers developed by Jeff Landesman (Cabrillo Marine Museum), we have developed and employed two types of pressure vessels: One is stainless steel and is pressurized with oxygen gas; the other is built of PVC pipe components, has a “two stage” function, and is pressurized with a water pump. These vessels work well for small to medium-sized rockfish, are transportable, easy to build and operate, and inexpensive. We have collected rockfish with hook and line, trawls, or traps from up to 150 meters depth. Rockfish that have been successfully acclimated to the surface in these vessels include bocaccio, canary, chillipepper, cow cod, greenstriped, greenspotted, halfbanded, rosy, squarespot, starry, and widow. We are helping supply live fish for research, including post-barotrauma rockfish vision investigations done by Bonnie Rogers (CSU Long Beach). We are also using recompression for routine hook and line or scuba collection of nearshore species. |