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Tier 2
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Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence.
Gut & Microbiome
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Endoscopy and rectal enema for fecal collection in wild sea turtles (<i>Chelonia mydas</i>, <i>Eretmochelys imbricata</i>) in a field setting
Zoo Biology2023
1 citation
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Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count.
Score: 30
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0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Kristina L. Kaleel,
Juan Pablo Muñoz‐Pérez,
Kristina L. Kaleel,
Juan Pablo Muñoz‐Pérez,
Juan Pablo Muñoz‐Pérez,
Gregory A. Lewbart,
Patricia L. Secoura,
Patricia L. Secoura,
Gregory A. Lewbart,
Juan Pablo Muñoz‐Pérez,
Kathy A. Townsend
Juan Pablo Muñoz‐Pérez,
Juan Pablo Muñoz‐Pérez,
Juan Pablo Muñoz‐Pérez,
Juan Pablo Muñoz‐Pérez,
Daniela Alarcón‐Ruales,
Daniela Alarcón‐Ruales,
Kathy A. Townsend
Kathy A. Townsend
Kathy A. Townsend
Kathy A. Townsend
Daniela Alarcón‐Ruales,
Daniela Alarcón‐Ruales,
Kathy A. Townsend
Felipe García Vallejo,
Juan Pablo Muñoz‐Pérez,
Daniela Alarcón‐Ruales,
Daniela Alarcón‐Ruales,
Juan Pablo Muñoz‐Pérez,
Cristina Miranda,
Daniela Alarcón‐Ruales,
Cristina Miranda,
Daniela Alarcón‐Ruales,
Gregory A. Lewbart,
Kathy A. Townsend
Kathy A. Townsend
Juan Pablo Muñoz‐Pérez,
Juan Pablo Muñoz‐Pérez,
Shelly L. Vaden,
Kathy A. Townsend
Juan Pablo Muñoz‐Pérez,
Kathy A. Townsend
Kathy A. Townsend
Cristina Miranda,
Felipe García Vallejo,
Patricia L. Secoura,
Patricia L. Secoura,
Shelly L. Vaden,
Kathy A. Townsend
Kathy A. Townsend
Kathy A. Townsend
Summary
Researchers developed and tested an endoscopy-assisted rectal enema method for collecting large fecal samples from wild sea turtles for environmental exposure research. Sea turtles regularly ingest microplastics mistaking them for food, and improved fecal sampling methods allow better assessment of their plastic ingestion levels.
Forty-seven free-ranging sea turtles (46- Chelonia mydas, 1- Eretmochelys imbricata) were examined via novel use of an endoscopy combined with a rectal enema to obtain large fecal sample volumes. The cloaca was insufflated using an endoscope, after which the bladder and rectum separated, allowing access to the colon. Environmental conditions and location influenced the performance of the procedure initially, but after several attempts the procedure was successfully initiated. In all cases, fecal samples were obtained, and the animals were released to their respective locations. Fecal sample collection using this approach enhances the ability to obtain diagnostic information and perform other scientific analyses of sea turtles.