Zoo Miami

Abstract Dystocia is well-documented in captive eastern indigo snakes (Drymarchon couperi; EIS), and differences in plasma biochemical parameters have been noted between snakes that successfully oviposited versus those that had dystocia. The objectives of this study were to 1) measure 13 minerals in EIS eggshells from wild bred and captive bred snakes, and 2) determine if mineral content of EIS eggshells differed depending on the origin (wild bred Georgia vs. wild bred Florida vs. captive bred) and dystocia status (captive bred successfully hatched vs. dystocia) of the snakes. Four clutches of dried, previously hatched or surgically removed and stored eggshells were randomly selected for each EIS group, and three eggshells from within each clutch were randomly selected for analysis on a dry matter basis by spectroscopy. Differences were found between EIS origin groups for four minerals: manganese (F = 6.015, P = 0.006), selenium (F =32.6, P < 0.001), potassium (F= 3.976, P = 0.026), and zinc (F = 3.316, P = 0.050). Significant differences in eggshell mineral composition were also determined for dystocia vs. successfully oviposited captive bred EIS for: magnesium (F = 6.425, P = 0.016), phosphorus (F = 4.148, P = 0.016), and sodium (F = 5.287, P = 0.028). No significant difference in mineral content was found within clutch for any mineral. These findings suggest that differences in environment and diet may play a role in the mineral composition of EIS eggshells and further research is needed to further elucidate how these differences increase the risk of dystocia in captive EIS.

Abstract Invasive species can reshape ecological processes, including seed dispersal, through both direct and indirect pathways. In this study, we explore how invasive reptiles influence seed dispersal dynamics in the Greater Everglades ecosystem using two case studies: the Burmese python ( Python bivittatus ) and the Argentine black and white tegu ( Salvator merianae ). Guided by a conceptual framework, we investigate three primary mechanisms through which invasive species may alter seed outcomes: direct seed consumption, predation on seed dispersers before seed ingestion, and secondary seed dispersal via predation on animals that have already consumed seeds. Burmese pythons, as apex predators, may contribute to seed dispersal through diploendozoochory while simultaneously driving trophic cascades that restructure the seed disperser community. Tegus, as omnivorous frugivores, directly consume and disperse a wide diversity of plant seeds. We documented 25 seed morphotypes in python diets and 73 in tegu diets, spanning a broad 38 families and including native, endangered, and invasive plant species. Using a binary interaction network, we found that these reptiles exhibit high generalization, nestedness, and connectance—suggesting they are becoming functionally integrated into Everglades seed dispersal networks. These findings reveal that invasive reptiles not only disrupt native plant–animal interactions but may also reshape them, with implications for ecosystem stability, restoration, and management.

ABSTRACT Animals with disabilities play a vital role in society, offering powerful opportunities for representation and education. However, when their stories are inadequately or inaccurately represented, it can reinforce misconceptions and hinder public understanding of disability. While tools and frameworks exist to guide conversations about people with disabilities, there are no equivalent resources for discussing animals with disabilities. This gap poses a challenge for zoos and aquariums, where staff may work closely with animals who have disabilities but lack inclusive language and approaches to share their stories. To address this, a team of disability scholars and zoo professionals in the US, many of whom have lived experience with congenital or acquired physical or cognitive disabilities, collaborated to develop best practices for framing these conversations based on recommendations from the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The adoption of this guide can enhance positive perceptions of animals and people with disabilities. Future work needs to assess how this tool could be used or modified to be more inclusive of an international audience.

The Southern Ocean plays a key role in removing anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, accounting for a quarter of the global ocean uptake during the Anthropocene period. Here we show, using a high-resolution ocean model under high-emission forcing (RCP8.5), that the Southern Ocean contribution to the global ocean CO2 sink increases from 40 to 50% by 2100. This increase is accompanied by a robust poleward shift in the ocean CO2 sink. Specifically, regions north and south of the maximum zonal wind stress (located between 50-55°S) exhibit distinct carbon-uptake trajectories. The southern region (poleward of 55°S) exhibits a near-linear increase in annual carbon uptake, from near 0 to 0.75 Pg C yr-1 over the century. In contrast, the northern region (35-50°S) carbon uptake increases over the 1st half of the century, from 0.8 to 1.2 Pg C yr-1, but stagnates afterward. Our analysis indicates that the former is due to the high turnover rate (upwelling followed by subduction) of the Circumpolar Deep Water, which becomes increasingly undersaturated relative to atmospheric CO2, while the latter is due to weakening carbon solubility after the mid-21st century. Finally, the resolution in this study allows for the representation of mesoscale eddies. Eddy activity is generally enhanced along with the poleward shift in the zonal wind forcing, but its net impact on the air-sea exchange of carbon appears to be minimal.

Abstract Hurricane Idalia formed on 26 August 2023 and three days later rapidly intensified from a Category 1 to Category 4 strength storm in less than 24 h over the west Florida shelf. On August 30, it made landfall along Florida’s Big Bend area as a Category 3 hurricane. Strikingly, despite Idalia’s moderate intensity and favorable vortex structure, neither upper ocean thermal energy nor environmental vertical wind shear conditions were as favorable during its intensification from Category 2 to Category 4 as earlier in its path, raising the question of what external factors contributed to its extreme intensification during this phase. Using satellite data, underwater glider observations, and numerical model outputs, this study reveals that, in addition to the 2023 marine heatwave, an extensive riverine plume in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, extending from the Mississippi-Alabama-Florida shelf to the Straits of Florida, produced a ∼20 m thick low-salinity layer (∼34–34.5 psu) and a corresponding warm upper ocean (>29 °C, ∼25–30 m thick). This defined a 10–20 m thick strongly stratified barrier layer below the surface layer with buoyancy frequencies exceeding 10−3 s−1 that suppresses vertical mixing and became a critical factor contributing to Idalia’s rapid intensification under the relatively less than favorable thermal and wind field environments. Therefore, incorporating the river plume in future forecast models appears to be essential to improve the accuracy of intensity predictions, especially in the areas affected by the plume, where stratification plays an important role in the intensification dynamics.

Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) continue to experience pressure from various stressors that frequently result in the need for rescue and veterinary assistance. Interestingly, a subset of rescued manatees in critical condition exhibits profound hypoglycemia. The goals of this study were to enhance our understanding of this important aspect of manatee care by 1) characterizing the clinical presentation and factors associated with manatees that present with profound hypoglycemia, and 2) assessing agreement across blood glucose testing modalities [glucometer (whole blood), in-house bench-top analyzer (whole blood), a point of care analyzer (whole blood), and a local human hospital laboratory analyzer (serum)]. Twenty-five manatees were admitted to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens from 2017 to 2021. Seven manatees were profoundly hypoglycemic on presentation with blood glucose concentrations of < 30 mg/dL. Hypoglycemic manatees were admitted due to cold stress syndrome (n = 3; 1 calf, 2 adults) or emaciation consistent with an unusual mortality event (n = 4; 2 calves, 2 adults). Physical examination findings in hypoglycemic animals included emaciation (n = 7, 100%), lethargy (n = 7, 100%), and intermittent mild muscle fasciculations of the muzzle (n = 3, 42.8%). Hypoglycemia resolved with intense supportive care and monitoring in all affected animals within 32 h of admission. No associations were identified between hypoglycemia on presentation and life-stage, sex, transport distance to JZG's critical care facility, or rehabilitation outcome (death/euthanasia vs. release). Statistical agreement was observed between all blood glucose testing modalities except for the glucometer vs. the human hospital analyzer. Despite the limited sample size, these findings inform on the clinical presentation of severe hypoglycemia, the importance of close blood glucose monitoring after admission, blood glucose testing modalities, and clinical decision-making in Florida manatees admitted to critical care centers.

Abstract Lithium-Ion batteries have become the principal battery technology for EVs to date. However, one of the principal factors limiting the widespread usage of the EVs is the length of charging times for the lithium-ion battery packs. The appropriate charging algorithm is critical to shorten the battery charging times while keeping the battery safe. In our earlier work, we proposed a novel optimal strategy for charging the lithium-ion battery based on electrochemical battery model using A performance index that aimed at achieving a faster charging rate while maintaining safe limits for various battery parameters. A more realistic model, based on battery electro-chemistry has been used for the design of the optimal charging algorithm as opposed to the conventional equivalent circuit models. Simulation results showed that the proposed optimal charging algorithm is capable of shortening the charging time of a lithium-ion cell by as much as 30% when compared with the standard constant current charging. Here we present the results from a number of experiments using Lithium-Ion cylindrical cells that were charged using the proposed algorithm and compared the charging times with the standard constant current-constant voltage (CC-CV) charging algorithms. A Maccor Series 4300 battery testing system was used to carry out the experiments. The experimental results showed that the proposed algorithm offered shorter charging times by up to 16% when compared to the CC-CV charging algorithms under the same battery initial conditions such as SOC and temperature of the cells.

Positive blood cultures have been identified in debilitated, stranded, and deceased green turtles (Chelonia mydas), suggestive of septicemia. Interpretation of these results is often difficult because multiple studies have previously identified bacteremia in clinically healthy reptiles. In this study, paired blood cultures and skin cultures obtained after aseptic preparation of the venipuncture site were collected from 50 immature free-ranging green turtles from Port Canaveral, Florida. Blood culture results were compared with health status (apparently healthy versus unhealthy, based on physical examination findings and appropriate body condition), date of collection, presence of external fibropapillomatosis, healed or unhealed injuries, and presence of barnacles. Weight, body condition score, body condition index, morphometric measures, volume of blood collected, and body temperature were compared between blood culture-positive and blood culture-negative turtles. Positive blood cultures were identified in 14% (7 of 50) of all turtles, including 15.6% (5 of 32) of apparently healthy turtles. Vibrio spp., Bacillus megaterium, Cellulomonas sp., and Staphylococcus pasteuri were isolated in blood culture from apparently healthy individuals. There was a significant association (P = 0.048) between positive skin cultures and positive blood cultures, but isolates obtained were consistently different between paired results. There was no significant association (P > 0.05) between blood culture results and health status, evidence of healed or unhealed injuries, external fibropapillomatosis, or presence of barnacles. Based on the results of this study, positive blood cultures suggestive of nonclinical bacteremia may be present in apparently healthy green turtles. The results of this study will aid the attending clinician in interpretation of blood culture results of apparently healthy or presumed septicemic captive and rehabilitating green turtles as part of the conservation and population recovery of this threatened species.

O presente artigo investiga os desafios intrínsecos da Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados (LGPD) no contexto dos ambientes educacionais. A convergência entre a necessidade de salvaguardar a privacidade dos indivíduos e a dinâmica peculiar das práticas educacionais apresenta complexidades significativas. O estudo adota uma abordagem de mapeamento para identificar e analisar os pontos críticos onde a LGPD pode impactar a proteção de dados em instituições de ensino. A metodologia de mapeamento revela uma gama diversificada de desafios, desde a coleta inicial de dados até a sua utilização em sistemas educacionais. Questões específicas, como a obtenção de consentimento informado em um ambiente educacional, a gestão segura de informações sensíveis e a integração de tecnologias educacionais, são examinadas minuciosamente. Além disso, a interação entre diferentes agentes, como alunos, professores e administradores, é considerada, ampliando a análise para além das fronteiras da sala de aula. O artigo oferece uma visão estruturada e abrangente dos desafios, enfatizando não apenas os problemas identificados, mas também propondo estratégias para mitigar os impactos adversos da LGPD. Destaca-se a importância da conscientização, capacitação e implementação de práticas robustas de governança de dados para alinhar as instituições educacionais aos requisitos legais. Ao abordar esses desafios, o artigo busca contribuir para a compreensão crítica dos dilemas éticos, legais e tecnológicos associados à privacidade em ambientes educacionais na era da LGPD.