Abstract

This research presents baseline health assessments and the incidence rate of antibiotic resistance (ABR) in bacteria cultured from two species of free-ranging shark, the Atlantic sharpnose (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae) and the bonnethead (Sphyrna tiburo), from the coastal waters of Georgia and Florida. Health parameters and diagnostic testing include physical examination, body weight and morphometric measurements, complete blood counts and plasma biochemistry panels. This data is analyzed for correlation with the presence or absence of ABR in bacteria cultured from cloacal swabs. Geospatial analysis quantifies the variables in relation to (1) distance from shore and (2) distance from river outlet. This project is designed to provide health data from healthy, free-range sharks in order to improve the manner by which physical conditions are maintained in captive sharks. Specific aims addressed by these data are to:

1.  Provide the normal reference ranges (mean ± SD) for plasma biochemistry, vitamin, mineral, and lipid levels, and heavy metal and organochlorine levels in two species of shark.

2.  Determine the normal bacterial flora in the gastrointestinal tract of sharpnose and bonnethead sharks captured off the coasts of Georgia and Florida.

3.  Quantify the prevalence of ABR in these bacterial flora.

4.  Correlate these health reference ranges and the ABR prevalence in the sharks with their geospatial distribution.