Edited and reviewed by: Irene Iglesias, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology, Spain
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While sharks and rays are extremely popular fishes in aquariums, published elasmobranch veterinary medicine literature remains sparse (
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 (
Multiple articles present important diagnostics. Butyrate, a known energy molecule in sharks and rays, was reliably evaluated using hand held point of care units (
Clinical articles provide additional tools for the treatment of elasmobranch disease. A pharmacologic article identifies systemically appropriate doses of voriconazole in undulate rays (
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 (
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.
NM: Project administration, Writing – original draft, Conceptualization, Writing – review & editing.
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.
NM is employed by The Walt Disney Company.
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.