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Urban eastern gray squirrels (sciurus carolinensis) show little seasonal variation in biochemical and hematological parameters

Publication ,  Journal Article
Rimbach, R; Petritz, OA; Balko, JA; Pontzer, H
Published in: Urban Ecosystems
October 1, 2024

Urban wildlife faces unique physiological and behavioral challenges compared to conspecifics which live in less altered natural habitats. Animals in urban habitats are also exposed to urban stressors and commonly make use of inappropriate food sources from trash bins and dumpsters, which may affect their heath status. The goals of this study were to evaluate overall health of an urban population of eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) and to assess seasonal changes in several health parameters. Squirrels (N = 45) were trapped in Durham, North Carolina, USA and briefly anesthetized with inhalant anesthetic for physical examination, body mass collection, and venipuncture via the femoral vein. Collected blood was analyzed for several health parameters via hematology and biochemistry analyses including assessment of lipids and kidney and liver values. Physical examinations were clinically unremarkable and similar across seasons. Females had higher cholesterol values and lower creatinine values compared to males. Seasonal differences occurred in few parameters and were detected only between summer and either fall or spring. Potassium and monocytes were higher in summer compared to spring, and creatinine, BUN and monocytes were higher in summer compared to fall. Overall, health parameters of urban eastern gray squirrels fell within published reference ranges for the species. Together, these results suggest that urban squirrels in this study population can maintain good health in an anthropogenic habitat.

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Published In

Urban Ecosystems

DOI

EISSN

1573-1642

ISSN

1083-8155

Publication Date

October 1, 2024

Volume

27

Issue

5

Start / End Page

2005 / 2020

Related Subject Headings

  • Ecology
  • 4104 Environmental management
  • 3304 Urban and regional planning
  • 3103 Ecology
  • 0602 Ecology
  • 0501 Ecological Applications
 

Citation

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Rimbach, R., Petritz, O. A., Balko, J. A., & Pontzer, H. (2024). Urban eastern gray squirrels (sciurus carolinensis) show little seasonal variation in biochemical and hematological parameters. Urban Ecosystems, 27(5), 2005–2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-024-01566-6
Rimbach, R., O. A. Petritz, J. A. Balko, and H. Pontzer. “Urban eastern gray squirrels (sciurus carolinensis) show little seasonal variation in biochemical and hematological parameters.” Urban Ecosystems 27, no. 5 (October 1, 2024): 2005–20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-024-01566-6.
Rimbach R, Petritz OA, Balko JA, Pontzer H. Urban eastern gray squirrels (sciurus carolinensis) show little seasonal variation in biochemical and hematological parameters. Urban Ecosystems. 2024 Oct 1;27(5):2005–20.
Rimbach, R., et al. “Urban eastern gray squirrels (sciurus carolinensis) show little seasonal variation in biochemical and hematological parameters.” Urban Ecosystems, vol. 27, no. 5, Oct. 2024, pp. 2005–20. Scopus, doi:10.1007/s11252-024-01566-6.
Rimbach R, Petritz OA, Balko JA, Pontzer H. Urban eastern gray squirrels (sciurus carolinensis) show little seasonal variation in biochemical and hematological parameters. Urban Ecosystems. 2024 Oct 1;27(5):2005–2020.
Journal cover image

Published In

Urban Ecosystems

DOI

EISSN

1573-1642

ISSN

1083-8155

Publication Date

October 1, 2024

Volume

27

Issue

5

Start / End Page

2005 / 2020

Related Subject Headings

  • Ecology
  • 4104 Environmental management
  • 3304 Urban and regional planning
  • 3103 Ecology
  • 0602 Ecology
  • 0501 Ecological Applications