Generation of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) hematology Reference Intervals with a focus on identified outliers.

Background: The Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill in 2010 released millions of barrels of crude oil into the northern Gulf of Mexico, exposing numerous species of animals to the toxic components of oil. A comprehensive assessment of morbidity and mortality caused by DWH oil exposure was undertaken by the DWH Natural Resource Damage Trustees to characterize ecosystem damages.

Objectives: This study aimed to characterize normal hematologic RIs in red drum fish with blood cell descriptions, and to demonstrate the importance of identifying and removing outliers when generating RI.