Editorial: Advanced veterinary topics in elasmobranchs

Editorial on the Research Topic
Advanced veterinary topics in elasmobranchs

While sharks and rays are extremely popular fishes in aquariums, published elasmobranch veterinary medicine literature remains sparse (1–7). This Research Topic's articles pull together multiple disciplines to examine many important aspects of elasmobranch medicine that deserve greater attention.

Surgical articles detail procedures addressing ereproductive health in two of the most popular collected elasmobranch species. A case study on ovariectomy in the southern ray provides a basis for contraception and potentially resolving common reproductive disease issues. A study on Caesarian section in the cownose ray may help improve reproductive outcomes in other animals.

Two articles synergistically focus on the health and diseases of the inner ear. A vivid pictorial description of chondrocranial anatomy highlights normal inner ear anatomy and contrasts it with three large disease cases. Then a case series from multiple institutions describes diseases, diagnostics, and treatments of the endolymphatic system of the inner ear for the first time (Greene et al.).

Multiple articles present important diagnostics. Butyrate, a known energy molecule in sharks and rays, was reliably evaluated using hand held point of care units (Dannemiller et al.). A traumatic stingray case receives extensive veterinary medical imaging. Ultrasound is used to identify embryo abnormalities in shark eggs (Adams et al.).

Clinical articles provide additional tools for the treatment of elasmobranch disease. A pharmacologic article identifies systemically appropriate doses of voriconazole in undulate rays (Cañizares-Cooz et al.). A large case series of varying levels of ocular parasitic infiltration of corneas in cownose rays presents treatment strategies and outcomes. A sand tiger article diagnoses adomavirus in skin lesions and documents full resolution of clinical signs.

Finally, an important evaluation of thyroid assays found that traditional hormone testing has limited value for goiter, but that iodine testing may be valuable for this in combination with ultrasound and some previously unreported conditions (Wheaton et al.).

Elasmobranch medicine is an under-served topic in aquarium care. This compilation of articles shares the important research of many veterinarians working to improve the health of elasmobranchs in captivity.

Author contributions

NM: Project administration, Writing – original draft, Conceptualization, Writing – review & editing.

Acknowledgments

Thank you to the editors, authors, and reviewers that contributed to this Research Topic, you are truly amazing and at the forefront of our field. Thank you to Kevin Maxson who provides unwavering support of efforts in progressing elasmobranch veterinary medicine.

Conflict of interest

NM is employed by The Walt Disney Company.

Publisher's note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

References

1. Taubenberger JK, Reid AH, Krafft AE, Bijwaard KE, Fanning TG. Initial genetic characterization of the 1918 “Spanish” influenza virus. Science. (1997) 275:1793–6. doi: 10.1126/science.275.5307.1793

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2. Smith M, Warmolts D, Thoney D, Hueter R. The Elasmobranch Husbandry Manual: Captive Care of Sharks, Rays and their Relatives. Columbus, OH: Special Publication of the Ohio Biological Survey (2004). p. 4.

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3. Smith M, Warmolts D, Thoney D, Hueter R, Murray M, Ezcurra J. The Elasmobranch Husbandry Manual II. Columbus, OH: Special Publication of the Ohio Biological Survey (2017).

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4. Carrier JC, Simpfendorfer CA, Heithaus KE, Yopak R. Biology of Sharks and Their Relatives. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press (2022).

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5. Clayton KE, Seeley L. Sharks and medicine. In:Miller RE, Lamberski N, Calle PP, , editors. Fowler's Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine Current Therapy. Miamisburg, OH: Elsevier (2019). p. 338–44.

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6. Hadfield C, Clayton L. Clinical Guide to Fish Medicine. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley (2021).

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7. Mylniczenko ND. Medical management of rays. In:Miller RE, Fowler ME, , editors. Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine Current Therapy. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier (2011). p. 170–76.

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