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Hematological and blood chemistry profiles of the Mediterranean pond turtle (Mauremys leprosa) in a Portuguese wildlife rehabilitation center

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The Mediterranean pond turtle (<jats:italic>Mauremys leprosa</jats:italic>) is increasingly recognized as a sentinel species for freshwater ecosystem health due to its resilience to environmental pollutants. Despite its ecological significance, there is a lack of research on the blood profile of this vulnerable species. This study assessed the hematological and biochemical profile of healthy individuals admitted to <jats:italic>Zoomarine</jats:italic>’s <jats:italic>Porto d’Abrigo</jats:italic> rehabilitation center in southern Portugal between 2015 and 2024. This investigation revealed significant differences between the established data and the reference intervals reported in a Spanish study, notably in total erythrocyte (RBC) counts, packed cell volume (PCV), differential counts of lymphocytes and eosinophils, total protein (TP), creatine kinase (CK), potassium (K<jats:sup>+</jats:sup>), phosphorous (PHOS), and glucose (GLU) levels. Significant differences were also observed between captive and wild-rescued individuals in monocyte percentages, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and CK levels. No seasonal influence was detected except in the differential count of eosinophils. These findings indicate a possible geographical, environmental, and captivity-induced variation, providing the first comprehensive species-specific hematological and biochemical intervals for <jats:italic>M. leprosa</jats:italic> derived from a healthy population. This study enhances the understanding of <jats:italic>M. leprosa</jats:italic> health within a One Health framework by offering critical diagnostic benchmarks for veterinary care and facilitating conservation strategies.</jats:p>

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Mediterranean pond turtle Mauremys leprosa hematology blood chemistry rehabilitation center

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Marques, G. N., Guerra, J. S., Leal, M. O., & Neves, J. (2025). Hematological and blood chemistry profiles of the Mediterranean pond turtle (Mauremys leprosa) in a Portuguese wildlife rehabilitation center. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1504336

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Frontiers Media SA

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