HEMOLYMPH CHEMISTRY REFERENCE RANGES OF THE CHILEAN ROSE TARANTULA GRAMMOSTOLA ROSEA (WALKENAER, 1837) USING THE VETSCAN BIOCHEMISTRY ANALYZER BASED ON IFCC-CLSI C28-A3

The use of invertebrate hemolymph chemistry analysis has the potential to become a major diagnostic tool. The goal of this study was to generate statistically sound hemolymph reference ranges from healthy tarantulas. Hemolymph was drawn from wild caught, acclimatized, and apparently healthy female Chilean rose tarantulas Grammostola rosea (Walkenaer, 1837) (n = 43) using a modified technique. Hemolymph samples were separately analyzed using the Avian-Reptilian Profile Plus reagent rotor for VetScan® for the following chemistries: aspartate aminotransferase, bile acids, creatine kinase, uric acid, glucose, total calcium, phosphorus, total protein, albumin, potassium, and sodium. With this method the authors were able to establish statistically sound reference ranges for aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, glucose, phosphorus, and total protein. Further in situ studies will determine the practical usability of these values in the evaluation of tarantula health.