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Simple Summary: Black skimmers are state-threatened, colonial nesting seabirds that face numerous conservation health challenges. Through regular nest colony surveys, we observed a concerning pattern of annual fatalities among black skimmer juveniles that had grossly swollen joints at several nest colonies. This joint disease affected their mobility and ability to thrive and led to severe wasting and death in some individuals. Clinical and postmortem examinations of skimmers for four sequential years revealed that the joints were infected with a bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus, which normally cohabits the skin of many species (including humans) without causing disease. However, in this case, S. aureus likely gained entry to joints via skin injuries from sandspurs, which arise from vegetation that is common to many Florida beaches. S. aureus is also commonly detected as a sand and water contaminant in popular recreational beaches, which may also serve as a source of exposure in the skimmers. We recommend continued monitoring of black skimmer nest colonies for arthritic disease and other health-related challenges, with consideration of management techniques to reduce the risk of sandspur–skimmer interactions at nesting sites. The black skimmer (Rynchops niger) is a state-threatened, colonially nesting seabird in Florida, USA. Conservation threats include habitat alteration, human disturbances, severe weather, and predation. During nest monitoring (May–September, 2020–2022), black skimmer juveniles at colonies on Fort Myers Beach and Marco Island, Florida, had polyarthritis and died or were euthanized due to severe illness. Similarly-aged skimmers from geographically distant (considered unaffected) colonies were evaluated for comparison (2021–2023). We documented field, clinical, radiographical, and pathological findings to characterize disease and purported pathogenesis. The majority were lame and lethargic, in poor nutritional condition, and dehydrated. Additionally, 8/23 of the skimmers with dermatitis and arthritis from affected colonies also had penetrating sandspurs associated with skin ulceration, scabbing, and/or hemorrhage. The affected joints were often in limbs (interphalangeal and hock; less commonly stifle, elbow, carpus). A postmortem evaluation and bacteriology revealed Staphylococcal aureus-associated dermatitis, arthritis, tenosynovitis, and/or osteomyelitis in 21/22 of the juvenile skimmers from southwestern nest colonies. Staphylococcus aureus dissemination to internal organs occurred in 10/13 of the skimmers tested. Among skimmers evaluated from distant colonies, 5/10 that were examined histologically had skin crusting and inflammation but lacked arthritis. Occasional coinfections were documented (e.g., West Nile virus, Gram-negative bacilli). The results suggest that staphylococcal joint disease originated from sandspur-induced skin damage, followed by hematogenous dissemination to the joints and, occasionally, the internal organs. Additional nest sites should be tested to evaluate disease risk and potentially contributing environmental factors. We recommend that site managers employ techniques that reduce the risk of skimmer interactions with sandspurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trichomonas gypaetinii was detected in 117 (88%) of 133 Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and in 0/7 Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) in the USA, with no sex or age prevalence difference. All eagles lacked associated lesions. This study indicated that T. gypaetinii is common and widespread in Bald Eagles, but rarely associated with disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pneumocoelom secondary to primary pulmonary disease was diagnosed via CT (three cases) or radiographs and coelioscopy (one case) in one Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) and three loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtles. All cases were suspected to be caused by trauma to the lung, and all exhibited positive buoyancy disorders. Coelomocentesis alone was ineffective at resolving each pneumocoelom, suggesting a large and persistent tear in the pulmonary parenchyma. An autologous (in three cases) or allogenic (in one case) blood patch pleurodesis was performed. The pneumocoelom was resolved in all four cases with no noted postoperative complications. Follow-up diagnostic imaging confirmed resolution of the pneumocoelom in three cases, and all four patients were successfully rehabilitated and had normal buoyancy at the time of release. One rehabilitated loggerhead was satellite tagged, and the tracking data demonstrated that the animal was still alive and moving normally 126 d postrelease, when the tag stopped transmitting. In sea turtles, an autologous or allogenic blood patch pleurodesis can be safely performed in cases of persistent pneumocoelom secondary to traumatic primary pulmonary disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brevetoxicosis is a well-documented cause of morbidity and mortality in southwest Florida double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus). Brevetoxin, produced from Karenia brevis, is a neurotoxin causing disease in many aquatic species. Cormorants are severely impacted by its effects. Both neurologic deficits and melena (the presence of black feces due to GI tract bleeding) are widely seen in cormorants presenting to rehabilitation centers with suspected brevetoxicosis. Data was collected from a wildlife rehabilitation center in southwest Florida from 2017 to 2021. Medical records (n = 882) were analyzed to document the prevalence of melena in cormorants presenting with brevetoxicosis and to determine correlations between release success and gastroprotectant protocol. The prevalence of melena in cormorants with brevetoxicosis was 18.29 times higher than in cormorants without brevetoxicosis. Release status had no significant correlation to gastroprotectant protocol or prevalence of melena. This study emphasizes the high prevalence of melena that can occur secondary to disease and the need for improved understanding of gastroprotectant use in avian species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on kyphosis of Pseudemys peninsularis (Peninsula Cooter); and mentions that kyphosis may be occurring more frequently in some southwest Florida populations of P. peninsularis than previously known.