HEMATOLOGY, SERUM CHEMISTRY, AND MORPHOMETRIC REFERENCE VALUES FOR ANTILLEAN MANATEES (TRICHECHUS-MANATUS-MANATUS)

Morphometric, hematologic, and serum chemistry reference values were d etermined for 12 clinically normal male and female Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) captured from a zoological park in Guyana . The goals of this study were to establish reference values for this endangered species and to compare the results with published values fo r the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris). Average total body length and fluke length of male and female Antillean manatees wer e smaller than those of the Florida manatee. In addition, visual compa rison of the two subspecies revealed differences in intraocular eye di stance, orbital placement, and snout size. The majority of hematologic and serum chemistry measurements in this study were similar to those reported for the Florida manatee. Microscopic assessment of blood film s revealed that Antillean manatees had neutrophils rather than heterop hils that have been observed in Florida manatees. Barr bodies were ide ntified in neutrophils of all adult female Antillean manatees. In addi tion, some neutrophils had hypersegmented nuclei (more than five lobes ), and most eosinophils had hyposegmented nuclei with cytoplasmic gran ules that were small, round, and bright pink. Wide variation in creati ne kinase values was attributed to blood collection technique and the muscle exertion that occurred during capture. Serum values for total C O2 (TCO2) were lower and those for calculated anion gap were higher th an reported values for Florida manatees and other mammals. The reducti on in TCO2 concentration was indicative of metabolic acidosis. Two mec hanisms for the acidosis are suggested. The increase in anion gap demo nstrated an accumulation of organic acids in the blood. Lactic acidemi a from muscle exertion was suspected. Acidosis could also have been a compensatory response to a respiratory alkalosis caused by hyperventil ation and heat stress. Laboratory and morphometric data from a juvenil e female Antillean manatee are reported.