Blood chemistry reference values for two ecologically distinct populations of foraging green turtles, eastern Indian Ocean

Blood chemistry reference values are important to allow the monitoring of the health of individuals and populations. Blood chemistry reference values were obtained from individuals of two ecologically distinct foraging populations of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the eastern Indian Ocean. Samples were taken from 51 resident green turtles from Ashmore Reef (a shelf-edge platform reef) with a predominant seagrass diet, and 59 samples were taken from green turtles from Fog Bay, an inshore coastal embayment in the Northern Territory of Australia with a predominant algal diet. Reference values were different between habitats and showed the importance of regional and habitat-specific reference values for green turtles if they are to be used as a diagnostic tool. Green turtles with a diet of seagrass showed higher levels of total protein than turtles of the same size with algal diets. Clinically sick turtles from Fog Bay had significantly higher levels of urea and AST and lower PCV values than healthy turtles from the same population. Newly recruited turtles from Fog Bay also had higher levels of urea and AST compared to other turtles from the same area. Low levels of internal parasites did not affect blood reference values in clinically healthy turtles.