Gama, GM, Passos, LF, Paglia, AP and Coutinho, ME (2025) Body Condition and Blood Biochemistry of Free-Range Caiman latirostris in Northeast Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Journal of Experimental Zoology Part A. ISSN 2471-5638

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Abstract

The Atlantic Forest broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) inhabits regions within one of the world’s most ecologically diverse ecosystems, yet few studies have explored the relationship between body condition, blood biochemistry, and environmental factors in the wild. Our study investigated the effects of sex, ontogeny, habitat, and environmental variables on the body condition and blood biochemistry of free-ranging caimans from the state of Alagoas, Northeast Brazil. From 2020 to 2022, we captured 75 caimans across three sites in different seasons. Results revealed sex-specific responses to seasonal and inter-annual weather changes, with females showing higher body condition in the wet season, while males peaked in the dry season. Elevated glucose, total protein, albumin, triglycerides, and fructosamine were linked to higher body condition and larger individuals, while elevated aspartate aminotransferase to low body condition. Seasonal rainfall influenced blood parameters, with the dry season associated with higher creatinine, calcium, and alanine aminotransferase levels, and the wet season with higher total protein, sodium, and potassium. Differences in glucose, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase across sites pointed to physiological effects of human activities. Blood biochemical values varied widely, with some exceeding reported species ranges. These findings highlight the need to interpret physiological data within the context of local habitat and environmental conditions. Conservation strategies should go beyond species presence and habitat preservation, incorporating pollution control. Our study advances understanding of Caiman latirostris ecophysiology, offering valuable insights for the conservation and management of crocodilian populations in both wild and captive environments.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Gama, G.M., Passos, L.F., Paglia, A.P. and Coutinho, M.E. (2025), Body Condition and Blood Biochemistry of Free-Range Caiman latirostris in Northeast Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Journal of Experimental Zoology Part A: Ecological and Integrative Physiology. https://doi.org/10.1002/jez.2897, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/jez.2897. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	3109 Zoology; 3103 Ecology; 31 Biological Sciences; 15 Life on Land; 3103 Ecology; 3109 Zoology
Subjects:	Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology Q Science > QL Zoology
Divisions:	Biological and Environmental Sciences (from Sep 19)
Publisher:	Wiley
SWORD Depositor:	A Symplectic
Date Deposited:	14 Feb 2025 11:50
Last Modified:	14 Feb 2025 12:00
DOI or ID number:	10.1002/jez.2897
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/25627

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