Aquarium of the Pacific

MCRI Research

Veterinary Medical

• Dr. Lance Adams, Aquarium of the Pacific and Dr. Branson Richard, University of Georgia
  

  Study of Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) in Lorikeets (2001)

  In 2001 the Aquarium of the Pacific provided nine lorikeets that had tested positive for the presence of psittacine beak and feather disease to Dr. Branson Richard at the University of Georgia Animal Disease Laboratory.

  The data obtained from our birds comprised a significant portion of this important study aimed at learning more about this nearly always fatal avian disease. Results of this study were presented at the American Federation of Aviculturists Aviculturists annual conference in San Francisco in 2003.

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  Pathobiology and testing Recommendations for Psittacine Circovirus 2 in Lories. |

• Dr. Andrew Lawrence, University of Hull, England
  

  Endocrinology of Sand Tiger Shark (Carcharias taurus) Reproduction (2003)

  The Aquarium contributed blood samples that were used in this study of fluctuations in hormone levels as a function of the reproductive cycle of sand tiger sharks.

  Papers, presentations, or publications not available.

• Deborah Wisti, American Museum of Natural History
  

  Molecular Phylogeny of Lorikeets (2003)

  The Aquarium of the Pacific contributed tissue samples to this researcher who was conducting studies aimed at determining the phylogeny of this distinct group of psittacine birds.

  Papers, presentations, or publications not available.

• Dr. Lance Adams, Aquarium of the Pacific and Jack Jewell, Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay

  Vitamin D Levels in Green Sea Turtles (2003)

  In cooperation with Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay, the Aquarium of the Pacific participated in a study aimed at determining the relationship between a sea turtle’s access to UV light and its ability to produce and metabolize vitamin D.

  Results not published or presented.

• Dr. Jim Hicks | Dr. Suzy Muns, University of California Irvine | Dr. Lance Adams, Aquarium of the Pacific | Dr. Todd Schmidt, Dr. Judy St. Ledger, Sea World of California

  Evaluation of the Breathing Patterns of Normal and Respiratory Diseased Olive Ridley Sea Turtles

  Using Pnuemotachography (2003)

  In 2003 the Aquarium transported two normal Olive Ridley sea turtles to the University of California Irvine to serve as controls for the respiratory disease turtles used in the study. The turtles were attached to a custom pnuemotachography mask to measure the components of the respiratory cycle.

  The study showed that the energetic cost of breathing is significantly higher in diseased turtles and may impact their ability to survive in the wild. This was the first respiratory study of this kind evaluating respiratory patterns of Olive Ridley sea turtles.

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  Pulmonary Function Testing in Healthy and Positively Buoyant Olive Ridley Sea Turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea). |

• Dr. Lance Adams and Jodi Michalkiewicz , Aquarium of the Pacific | Dr. Ian Gordon, Dr. Christine Ma-Agas, Veterans Affairs Hospital Long Beach, Department of Vascular Surgery

  Clinical Research Using Regranex to Treat Head and Lateral Line Erosionsin Marine Fish (2004)

  The purpose of this study was to develop a more practical and cost-effective protocol for the treatment of HLLE in fish using Regranex.

  Regranex is protein sequence of human derived platelet growth factor that stimulates epithelial cell and blood vessel activation. Regranex was developed to treat non-healing skin ulcers in diabetic patients. This limited study yielded excellent results at repairing dermal erosions caused by HLLE.

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  Effect of Regranex Gel Concentration or Post Application Contact Time on the Healing Rate of Head and Lateral Line Erosions in Marine Tropical Fish |

• Dr. Lance Adams , Aquarium of the Pacific | Lisa Bartley, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

  Clinical Research Using a Neonicitenoid (Capstar, Nitenpyram)

  to Treat Parasitic Infections of Lernea sp. Copepods (2004)

  Current treatment for this Lernea sp. parasite (arthropod) requires the use of toxic materials that are hazardous to the environment, staff, and to sensitive animals in aquariums.

  The neonicitenoids target invertebrate specific GABA activated chloride channels in the central nervous system and cause paralysis. Neonicitinoids like Advantage are currently the gold standard for treatment of fleas (arthropods) in dogs and cats. Preliminary data shows that an oral dose of 10-30 mg/kg weekly is safe for the fish used in the study and is effective in eliminating 100% of Lernea sp. copepods within 7-10 days of treatment.

• Dr. Thomas Eurell, University of Illinios at Urbana-Champaign | Dr. Ilze Berzins, Florida Aquarium | Dr. Lance Adams, Aquarium of the Pacific | Dr. Michael Walsh, Dr. Beth Chittick, Sea World of Florida | Dr. Rich Toth, Audobon

  Sandtiger Scoliosis Project (2004)

  Aquarium of the Americas' tissue samples from two clinically affected sand tiger sharks, one from the Aquarium, were analyzed. The presence of a previously unidentified pigment crystal was identified in all the shark samples.

  The amount and structure of the pigment in the mineral lattice of shark cartilage was significantly different between affected and non-affected animals. The source of the pigment and pathophysiology of the change is still unclear, but this information is a key to determining the process and is the only new information revealed in the last 10 years regarding this condition.

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  Histological Features Associated with Spinal Deformity in Captive Sandtiger Sharks. |

• Dr. Kathryn Gamble, Lincoln Park Zoo | Dr. Lance Adams, Aquarium of the Pacific | AZA Marine Mammal Taxon Advisory Group | National Marine Fisheries Service Office of Protected Resources

  North American Captive Harbor Seal Phocid Distemper Virus Survey (2004)

  Phocid distemper virus (PDV) is an important disease of free-ranging marine mammals and a potential health concern for introduction into captive phocid collections. Prior to this study, no comprehensive serosurvey of the 129 captive harbor seals in North America for this virus had been performed. The Aquarium submitted serum samples from its three harbor seals to support this project.

  Serosurvey of morbillivirus of the captive phocid population in the United States. Clancy, MM, Gamble, KC, Travis, DA.(Submitted to Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine for 10/07 publication).

• Dr. Michael Garner, Northwest Zoo Pathology Service | Dr. Lance Adams, Aquarium of the Pacific
  

  A Retrospective Study of the Diseases of Sea Dragons (2004)

  The Aquarium of the Pacific submitted more than 45 samples that were used in this study. This is the ground work for understanding the captive health management of this rare species and may have important conservation impacts. 34 diseases of Weedy Sea Dragons and 28 diseases of Leafy Sea Dragons were described.

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  Renal Myxozoanosis in Weedy Sea Dragons (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) |

• Dr. Lance Adams, Aquarium of the Pacific
  

  Sea Turtle Necropsy Workshop (2004)

  Dr. Lance Adams and officials from the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service conducted a two-day workshop which consisted of classroom lectures and hands-on practicals, aimed at instructing veterinarians and stranding center managers in the proper methods of conducting necropsies and preserving tissue samples from dead sea turtles.

• Dr. Lance Adams, Duane Stanton, Aquarium of the Pacific | National Marine Fisheries Service
  

  Sea Turtle Tagging

  As of October 2006, the Aquarium of the Pacific, with the cooperation of the National Marine Fisheries Service and others, has released three green sea turtles into the waters of the Gulf of California and off Southern California with satellite tracking tags. Data was received from one of the released animals for over 90 days and allowed thousands of Aquarium visitors to track its movements and learn more about the habits and behavior of sea turtles.

  No publications or presentations.

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