Green Sea Turtles Research Papers (original) (raw)

In recent years, Alata beach has been considered to be among 20 important sea turtle nesting areas in Turkey.
In the 2003 nesting season, the carapacial scute variation of 1086 Chelonia mydas hatchlings (169 dead and 917 live)
and 394 Caretta caretta hatchlings (74 dead and 320 live) from Alata beach in Mersin, Turkey, were examined within
carapacial scute series and in carapacial scute pattern.
Th e most frequent scute pattern observed for Ch. mydas hatchlings was 1 nuchal, 5 vertebrals, 1 pair of supracaudals, 4
pairs of costals, and 11 pairs of marginals. Th e pattern of 1 nuchal, 5 vertebrals, 1 pair of supracaudals, 5 pairs of costals,
and 12 pairs of marginals was the most frequent pattern for loggerhead hatchlings. Using the Minitab 13.0 Z test for 2
proportions, the numbers of variations on the carapacial scutes of dead and live hatchlings of Ch. mydas and C. caretta
were examined to see whether there was a relation between the rate of dead hatchlings and the number of variations on
the carapacial scute. It was found that there was no relation between the changes in variation numbers and the mortality
rates in Ch. mydas and C. caretta hatchlings.

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- Biology, Chelonians, Chelonian Biology, Marine Turtles
- by Stéphane Ciccione
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- Marine Biology, Conservation Biology, Conservation, Marine Protected Areas

Presentamos esta estrategia didáctica con información básica sobre las distintas especies de Tortugas Marinas, los problemas que enfrentan y algunas sencillas acciones que pueden ayudar a estos bellos reptiles que han surcado el océano... more

- by מישה קאנו
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- Education, Biology, Sea Turtles, Elearning and Distance Learning Eductaion

My report published by the United Nations General Assembly, April 18, 2005.

- by Robert Ovetz, Ph.D.
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- International Relations, International Law, Fisheries, Marine Protected Areas
- by Cynthia Romero Moreno
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- Marine Ecology, Epibionts, Green Sea Turtles
- by K.M. Rodriguez-Clark and +1
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- Population ecology, Green Sea Turtles

A study was undertaken to assess the by-catch risk in the different type of fishing gears and techniques
commonly used in the Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville). Targeted and non-targeted species were listed.
Among the non-targeted species, only sea turtles were observed. The study shows that dormant-gillnets with
large meshes are more noxious for sea turtles than small meshes dormant gillnets. Small meshes are nevertheless
poorly selective and thus can compromise the renewal of the resources. The Congolese law does not allow
meshes smaller that 10 cm stretched. According to the literature, other factors can influence the risk of sea turtle
by-catch. The nets badly tightened or little vertical increase the risk, the implementation of delusions or phosphorescent
or bright elements may reduce the risk. Five of the seven species of sea turtles are present along the coast
of the Republic of Congo. Artisanal fishing is one of the main threats for these species. The results of this study
will be used to create and experiment a fishing net prototype fulfilling the Congolese regulation requirements
and putting together factors and specifications identified as able to reduce the frequency of sea turtle incidental
captures while maintaining the commercial species catch rate (fishes and crustaceans).

- by Alexandre Girard and +1
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- Conservation Biology, Conservation, Fisheries Science, Fisheries

The study area is located between Kandak Stream in the east and Kuğu Resort in the west in Mersin and it encloses
Davultepe 100. Yıl facilities public beach and the picnic area run by Mersin Environmental Protection Foundation (MEÇEV). Our
survey was conducted on the approximately 1.8 km beach from the end of July to the middle of September for 2009 nesting season.
A total of 68 (94.44 %) Chelonia mydas nests and 4 (5.56 %) Caretta caretta nests were recorded during our study. Special
protection measures were proposed for this beach.

- by Aşkın Hasan Uçar
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- Chelonians, Chelonian Biology, Sea Turtles, Marine Turtles

Al-Kindi, Mahmoud Y, Mendonca V (2005). Exercise-rest cycles during nesting in green sea turtles, Chelonia mydas, at Ras Al-Hadd, Sultanate of Oman. Proc 21st Int Symp Sea Turtle Biol Conserv. Philadelphia, USA, 2001. NOAA Tech Memo... more

- by Vanda M D Mendonca
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- Animal Behaviour, Green Sea Turtles, Nesting Ecology

Marine turtles face a myriad of anthropogenic threats in their natural habitat including beach modification and encroachment, bycatch, and climate change. Increasing ambient temperatures, sea level rise and shifts in ocean circulation patterns threaten marine turtle survival, as these abiotic factors may alter migration routes, affect prey abundance, skew sex ratios, limit suitable nesting habitats, and decrease hatching success. To predict the effects of climate change, sea turtle nesting populations of green (Chelonia mydas) and olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) at Sandspit and Hawkesbay beaches, located near Karachi, are being studied during the entire nesting period (August-January for greens and July-September for olive ridleys). This study encompasses known factors influencing nesting behavior and embryonic development, including severe climatic events, ambient temperature, beach topography, sand characteristics (moisture content, sand grain size), and tidal oscillations, which are being monitored year-round. Coupled with air and sand temperature recordings, these data will elucidate spatial and temporal shifts in nesting behavior and sex ratio composition in response to thermal fluctuations. To augment beach sampling, remote sensing data sets and a nesting habitat suitability GIS analysis are being incorporated in the assessment. Suitable nesting habitat is being lost due to recreational use of the nesting beaches and a higher frequency of severe climatic effects. Climatic effects are more pronounced where nest cavities are located about 2 meters from the high tide water mark. During the recent cyclone Niloofar storm surge alone, 16 nests were inundated and destroyed. It is expected that conditions of the current and future nesting seasons will pose even greater challenges for female turtles.

The Atlantic green sea turtle Chelonia mydas is a migratory and endangered species with a network of nesting rookeries (NRs) and foraging grounds (FGs) in the Atlantic basin that needs elucidation. FGs are important areas for immature turtle’s feeding and growth after pelagic migrations. Aggregations of sea turtles at these grounds usually come from genetically distinct NRs; therefore, they are called mixed stocks. The northeastern coast of Colombia has extensive seagrass and macroalgae marine ecosystems that constitute FGs, and perhaps long-term developmental habitats for a significant number of immature C. mydas. However, it is unknown which C. mydas NRs may be using these
ecosystems for feeding and development. This study estimated the genetic diversity and genetic origin of C. mydas mixed stocks at two FGs in northeastern Colombia (Santa Marta and La Guajira), and inferred their connections to NRs groups in the Atlantic basin using mitochondrial Control Region (mtCR) as a marker. A high genetic diversity, evidenced by the high nucleotide and haplotype diversities, was found in both studied mixed stocks and may be explained by different contributing NRs groups found with mixed stock analyses (MSAs). At least three genetically distinct groups from different sides of the Atlantic Basin contributed juveniles to the mixed stocks in Colombia. Observed demographic connectivity can be explained by the confluence of two major, opposite directions ocean currents by the study area, the Caribbean Current (westward) and the Panama-Colombia Countercurrent (eastward). The high diversity of turtles at Colombia’s FGs suggests that the area is an important link in the network of habitats used by C. mydas to be considered in management and transnational conservation
planning for the species recovery.

- by Kathleen Sullivan Sealey and +1
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- Coastal Zone Management, Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation, Green Sea Turtles

Jaguar (Panthera onca) predation of green turtles (Chelonia mydas mydas) is now a common occurrence
in Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica. The abundance of green turtles during nesting season ensures a constant provision of easy and predictable prey, however it is unknown to what extent jaguars consume turtle carcasses and how the
jaguar population responds to limited turtle availability outside of nesting season. This study took advantage of the accessible nature of jaguar-predated turtle carcasses on Tortuguero Beach over a two year period (2011–2013), to provide a novel analysis of carcass utilization rates by jaguars and determine the effects of temporal ﬂuctuations in green turtle nesting numbers. Camera traps were set-up on freshly predated turtles to capture jaguar activity across both Peak and Non
Peak green turtle nesting seasons. Thirteen individual jaguars (ﬁve males, ﬁve females, three cubs) were captured returning to
77% of monitored turtle kills (60% Peak; 95% Non Peak). During Non Peak season, the number of jaguars per kill increased (H(1) = 15.91, p < 0.001) and total jaguar feeding time per kill also increased (H(1) = 13.34, p < 0.001). The propensity for tolerated scavenging or sharing during Non Peak season is illustrated by four adult jaguars captured interacting with a kill at separate times over two nights in October, 2012 (two males, two females). There were no signiﬁcant differences between males
and females, although there is a tendency for the latter to handle the prey to a greater extent. Although
marine turtles may not be a primary prey species, they play an important role in subsidizing the jaguars in this study. The increased kill utilization rates and prey sharing displayed by the jaguars, ensures optimal foraging during periods of low prey availability. These apparently atypical feeding behaviors may be
unique to Tortuguero, however their prevalence across the jaguar’s range should be considered.

- by James Guilder and +2
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- Tropical Ecology, Wildlife Ecology And Management, Chelonians, Wildlife Conservation

Las tortugas marinas son reptiles ovíparos de sangre fría y respiración pulmonar, que en la actualidad se encuentran en pellgro de extinción. Algunos reportes sobre enfermedades que ocurren en estas tortugas (Chelonia mydas) han sido publicados a nivel mundiaL uno de los procesos patológicos descritos en los Estados Unidos de Norteamérica en esta especie de tortuga verde marina son, los fibropapilomas cutáneos. Es tos neoplasmas han sido descritos en una gran variedad de mamíferos domésticos, bovinos, caninos, equinos, así como otras especies salvajes cautivas, como elefantes. En el presente trabajo se describen los aspectos morfológicos anatomopatológicos de un caso de fibropapilornas en tortuga verde marina resaltándose tanto el aspecto microscópico como su origen viral.

- by Andrés Eloy Bracho
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- Veterinary Epidemiology, Green Sea Turtles
- by melissa mccrink
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- Environmental Science, Conservation, Phytoplankton Ecology, Coral Reef Ecosystems

Since 2011 FUNZEL has implemented the Sea Turtle Conservation and Improvement of Coastal Communities Livelihoods Program with the objective of strengthening communities through the conservation of the four sea turtle species that nest along the Salvadoran coast. The program is comprised of five components: Management of sea turtle
egg incubation beaches and hatcheries, Financing and sustainability mechanisms, Community development, Public awareness and Research.

Turtle embryos enter a state of arrested development in the oviduct, allowing the mother greater flexibility in her reproductive schedule. Development recommences once eggs transition from the hypoxic oviduct to the normoxic nest. Significant mortality can occur if turtle eggs are moved between 12 h and 20 d after oviposition, and this is linked to the recommencement of embryonic development. To better understand the timing of developmental arrest and to determine how movement-induced mortality might be avoided, we determined the latency (i.e., time elapsed since oviposition) to recommencement of development following oviposition by exposing the eggs of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) to hypoxia (oxygen tension !8 mmHg) for 3 d, commencing 30 min to 48 h after oviposition. Embryonic development, including development of the characteristic opaque white spot on the eggshell, was halted by hypoxic incubation. When the delay before hypoxic incubation was 12 h or less, hatching success did not differ from a control group. If the hypoxic treatment began after 16 h or more in normoxia, then all embryos died. Thus, by returning eggs to a hypoxic environment before they have broken from arrest (i.e., within 12 h of oviposition), it is possible to extend embryonic arrest for at least 3 d, with no apparent detriment to hatching success. Therefore, hypoxic incubation may provide a new approach for avoidance of movement-induced mortality when conservation or research efforts require the relocation of eggs. Our findings also suggest that movement-induced mortality may have constrained the evolution of viviparity in turtles.

- by Sean A Williamson
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- Sea Turtles, Reptiles, Turtles, Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation

Studies of highly migratory species that increase our understanding of the dynamics
of genetic diversity, migratory routes, and genetic connectivity are essential for informing conservation
actions. Genetic data for green turtles Chelonia mydas from Ecuador have only been available
from Galápagos Islands (GPS) rookeries, but not from foraging aggregations. Furthermore,
green turtles from habitats associated with mainland Ecuador (Machalilla National Park; MNP)
have not been sampled. To assess the genetic relationships between nesting and foraging aggregations
from these 2 regions and other regional populations, the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
control region was sequenced from 133 turtles. Conventional FST (haplotype frequency) and ΦST
(sequence-based) values were low and non-significant between Ecuadorian rookeries, suggesting
high connectivity between these sites located ca. 1000 km apart. Mixed stock analysis (MSA) indicated
a dominant (>94%) GPS-MNP contribution to both foraging grounds, with small and nearly
negligible contributions from other rookeries in the region (e.g. Costa Rica and Mexico). While
orphan haplotypes were not included in the MSA because their rookery of origin is not known,
their close genetic relationships to Western and Central Pacific mtDNA clades suggests that a relatively
large percentage of turtles at the combined foraging sites (>10%) have been involved in
transoceanic migration events. The genetic links between GPS and MNP C. mydas nesting populations
revealed by our study highlight the need to incorporate the nesting populations from
coastal Ecuador in more comprehensive future conservation planning.

- by JuanJo PB
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- Green Sea Turtles

In this study 14 species of marine leeches (Piscicolidae) are reported. These are divided geographically into northern and southern species, and ecologically into brackish water and high salinity species. Notice is made of Cape Hatteras... more

- by Roy T Sawyer
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- Marine Biology, Parasitology, Marine Ecology, Fish Biology
- by Brendan Godley
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- Marine Biology, Geography, Conservation Biology, Conservation

Small, irregular isolated bones identified as remains of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) were recovered from Mid to Late Holocene sites at Ra’s al-Hamra and Ra’s al-Hadd, coastal Oman. These provide the third instance of this animal being documented from any prehistoric site anywhere, and the records provide one of the oldest, if not the oldest, dates for this distinctive chelonian—even though they do not refer to fossils. Decades of research in this region has yielded vast amounts of archaeological information, including abundant evidence of intense exploitation and utilization of marine turtles from about 6,500 to 4,000 BP. During part of this period, turtle remains in human burials have been extraordinary; the turtle involved, Chelonia mydas, has been abundant in the region during modern times. Yet despite intense and varied forms of prehistoric marine resource exploitation, and major, long-term archaeological work, no other turtle species has been previously authenticated from these, or other coastal sites.
The documentation of remains of the largest and most distinctive of living marine turtles, D. coriacea, at Ra’s al-Hamra and Ra’s al-Hadd, presented herein, provide detailed information that serves as the basis for future interpretations and discussions regarding incomplete, disarticulated remains from the Mid to Late Holocene, particularly in reference to taphonomic questions and diverse environmental conditions.

- by Lapo Gianni Marcucci and +3
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- Material Culture Studies, The Persian Gulf, Neolithic Archaeology, Arabian Gulf

Introduction
History
Besides the Coco de Mer , Giant Tortoises and gracious women, the Seychelles Islands have been famous for their marine turtles. This fame rose rapidly' during
the colonisation of The Islands by the French in the late 1700's (Fauvel 1909, Lionnet 1972:66). Throughout the end of the last century. and the first half of the present. the Seychelles were world renowned for their turtles. being a major source of both Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas (L.)) and Hawksbill (tortoiseshell) Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata (L.)).
However. this reputation has been continually checkered from the early years by pleas for rational management, 'doomsday' predictions, and finally massive and widespread declines in the numbers of turtles. The renown is now only
historic - the Seychelles turtles situation no longer illustrates the boundless value of natural resources, but the urgent need to manage them (Frazier. 1979). Although the turtle industry has come and gone, leaving only a vestige of former
turtle populations. little is known of the biology of these animals. This has come about despite the fact that Seychelles had one of the earliest of comprehensive studies and management proposals on marine turles, that of Hornell (1927). Today, the major concern is for the rehabilitation of the turtles.

- by Juan Jose Alava
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- Ecuador, Sea Turtles, Hawksbill Sea Turtle, Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation

In the communities of the West Coasts of Puerto Princesa City, aside from animal predation, poaching of sea turtles for meat and collection of its eggs for human consumption has been a practice of the locals and according to them sea turtles has been part of their traditional diet. Despite of the laws protecting these creatures, these practices still continue and if not arrested, the future generations may not encounter a single sea turtle nesting on their beaches.

- by Corazon Liwanag
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- Hawksbill Sea Turtle, West Philippine Sea, Green Sea Turtles, Olive Ridley Turtle

Historical and archaeological evidence documents the importation of sea turtles from the eastern Pacific Ocean (Baja California) to California during the Gold Rush (1848–1855) and through the end of 19th century, but it is unknown whether these 19th century sea turtles foraged in similar ways to their modern counterparts. To identify the species of two Gold Rush-era sea turtle specimens recovered from archaeological deposits in San Francisco, California, we first analyze ancient DNA (aDNA). We then analyze carbon (d13Ccol), nitrogen (d15N), and hydrogen (dD) stable isotopes of bone collagen and carbon (d13Cap) and oxygen (d18Oap) stable isotopes of bone apatite to test if eastern Pacific sea turtle diets have changed over the past 160 years. Ancient DNA confirms that both archaeological specimens are green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas). The stable isotope values from the 19th-century specimens are statistically indistinguishable from the modern comparatives in both d13Ccol and d15N, suggesting that green sea turtle dietary intake has remained relatively unchanged since the 1850s. However, the values are unclear for dD and d18Oap and require additional research.

- by Cyler Conrad and +1
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- Archaeology, Stable isotope ecology, Zooarchaeology, Stable Isotope Analysis
- by Aşkın Hasan Uçar
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- Chelonians, Caretta caretta, Green Turtle, Green Sea Turtles

Nesting green turtles Chelonia mydas were studied at Moheli Island, Union of
Comoros, southwestern Indian Ocean (SWIO). Five contiguous beaches near Itsamia village, in the southeastern part of the island, were monitored daily for nesting activity from January 1999 to June 2007 and irregularly between August 2009 and December 2014; nesting success was recorded from 2000 to 2006. Nesting occurred year-round and peaked in the austral winter, from March through August, with the highest values in May. During the 7 yr period when nesting success was recorded, 63 164 successful nestings were reported, and the total was 69 630 when estimates of missing data were included. The average rate of nesting success was 0.49 (SD = 0.04, n = 7). Using the estimate of 3.03 successful nestings per female per season, the estimated number of nesting females per year varied from 924 in 2000 to 5827 in 2005. There was marked growth in nesting activity over the beginning of the study period, as indicated by seasonal decomposition of time series by loess and generalized additive mixed model analyses, with an increase of 226% from 1999 to 2006 and evidently a leveling off of nesters between 2007 and 2014. The Itsamia beaches have one of the largest nesting populations, with a higher rate of increase than any other site in the SWIO. Long-term protection of the beaches and offshore waters by the Itsamia community,
despite several years of intense exploitation by outsiders, is reasoned to be the primary explanation for these remarkable figures.

- by ROOS David and +2
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- Marine Turtles, Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation, Green Sea Turtles, Sea Turtle Nesting Ecology
- by Jack Frazier
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- Marine Turtles, Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation, Islands, Green Sea Turtles

Mendonca, V.M., Al-Kiyumi, A.A., Al-Saady, S.M., Grobler, H.J., Erzini, K., Bait Said, A.S., and Al-Rasbiy, A. 2001. Environment of the nesting and feeding grounds for endangered turtle species in Dhofar (Southern Oman). In Claereboudt,... more

- by Vanda M D Mendonca
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- Osprey, Canidae, Arabian Sea Ecology, Al Hallaniyat Islands
- by Emily Lena Jones
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- Geography, Archaeology, Stable isotope ecology, Stable Isotope Analysis

ABSTRACT The nesting activities of loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) at Anamur Beach, one of their main nesting grounds along the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, were investigated during the 2006 and 2007 nesting seasons. The mean sex ratios were estimated based on gonad histology of dead hatchlings and late stage embryos and were calculated as 72.1% and 79% as females for the years 2006 (n = 366) and 2007 (n = 271), respectively. The nest temperatures of two nests and sand temperatures at nest depths were also recorded by placing electronic temperature recorders into the nests. The recorded sand temperatures were lower when close to the sea and higher towards inland. The mean temperatures of two nests during the entire incubation period were 28.9 and 31.2 °C, with 8 days' difference in their incubation period. Based on mean temperature during the middle third of the incubation period, which ranged from 28.6 to 30.8 °C, the sex ratios were calculated as 49.3% and 79.9% females, respectively. These data are statistically significant when compared by t test (t = 52.34, p < 0.0001) and pair wise comparison (p < 0.0001). The sex ratios among the beach sections were also different (χ2 = 16.5, df = 4, p < 0.002). The mean incubation periods of nests were slightly shorter in 2007 compared to 2006, calculated as 48.97 and 52.51 days, respectively. According to overall sex ratio, based on incubation durations, 85.2% of the hatchlings were females and the yearly estimated sex ratio was 75.6% in 2006 and 87.8% in 2007, which is roughly similar to the histological values. The spatial and temporal variations of nests and the resulting sex ratios were due to the possible effects of global warming causing changes in the nesting site preferences of adult females.

- by Aşkın Hasan Uçar
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- Evolutionary Biology, Zoology, Biology, Ecology
- by Sukran yalcin ozdilek
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- Chelonians, Caretta caretta, Green Turtle, Green Sea Turtles
- by Eleanor Sterling
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- Conservation Biology, Multidisciplinary, Phylogeny, Pacific Islands

In this study, the population of Chelonia mydas and Caretta caretta nesting on Kazanlı Beach (Mersin) was investigated for the 2006 nesting season. A total of 385 C. mydas nests and 11 C. caretta nests were recorded during our study. The density rank of nests, the average clutch size, the hatching success rate, the success rate of hatchlings reached the sea, The rate of hatchlings reached the sea to total clutch size was calculated for both species on the 4.5 km beach. In addition, stranded 22 C. caretta and 4 Trionyx triunguis individuals were founded on Kazanlı beach.

- by Angelica Emit
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- Climate Change, Marine biodiversity, Green Sea Turtles
- by Roberto Salom-pérez
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- Zoology, Tropical Ecology, Wildlife Ecology And Management, Biology
- by Alexandre Girard
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- Zoology, Conservation Biology, Conservation, Fisheries Science

The carapacial scutes of 718 green turtle hatchlings, Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus, 1758), from 2 different nesting beaches in Northern Cyprus were examined. Scutes were examined with regard to variation within carapacial scute series and variation in carapacial scute pattern. The vertebral, costal and marginal series were the most variable and the supracaudal scutes were almost stable for the hatchlings. The most common scute pattern observed was 11 pairs of marginals, 4 pairs of costals, 5 vertebrals, 2 supracaudals and a single nuchal. The straight carapace length (SCL) of the hatchlings ranged from 39 to 51 mm with a weight that varied between 13 and 26 g. Negative allometric growth was reported between straight carapace length and weight.

- by Oğuz Türkozan
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- Biology, Chelonians, Chelonian Biology, Marine Turtles
- by Robert Ovetz, Ph.D.
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- Fisheries, Marine Protected Areas, United Nations, Marine Conservation

Understanding conservation needs relies on robust estimates of key population parameters, such as survival, abundance and somatic growth. We investigated the somatic growth and abundance dynamics of 2 aggregations of immature green turtles, at Tortuga Bay and Puerto Manglar (Culebra, Puerto Rico), throughout 15 yr of capture-mark-recaptures. We used nonlinear models to investigate the effects of carapace length, sampling year, growth interval and the presence of fibropapillomas on growth rates, and used the size-specific growth rate function to estimate how long turtles remain at each bay. Abundances were estimated and compared with time-specific growth rate functions, to infer density-dependency effects on somatic growth rates, and trends in abundance were evaluated by fitting generalized linear models. We found foraging site specific growth rates and report the highest mean somatic growth rate for green turtles in the wild (6.1 ± 1.7 cm yr−1, at Puerto Manglar). The size-specific growth rate function was monotonic at both sites, with growth rates declining continuously with increasing carapace length. We inferred
minimum ages at maturity of 14 and 22 yr, for Puerto Manglar and Tortuga Bay turtles, respectively. Throughout the 15 yr of this study there was a positive trend in aggregation size at Puerto Manglar (mean annual increase of 10.9%), which was not observed at Tortuga Bay. Our study highlights the influence of geography and habitat quality on somatic growth rates, and delivers robust demographic estimates valuable for local and regional assessments of the conservation status of the green turtle.

- by Rita Patrício
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- Population Dynamics, Abundance, Linear and Non Linear Models, Green Sea Turtles
- by Windia Adnyana
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- Marine Biology, Geography, Conservation Biology, Conservation
- by Jack Frazier
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- Geography, Endangered Species, Marine Turtles, Biological Sciences

Fibropapillomatosis is a neoplastic disease that afflicts sea turtles. Although it is disseminated worldwide, cases of the disease have not been reported in the southeastern Pacific region. We describe a case of fibropapillomatosis in a green sea turtle ( Chelonia mydas) during its rehabilitation at the Machalilla National Park Rehabilitation Center, Ecuador. Viral presence was confirmed by PCR, targeting fragments of the chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5 (ChHV5) unique long (UL) genes, UL27, UL28, and UL30. The amplicons were sequenced and included in a global phylogenetic analysis of the virus with other reported sequences from GenBank. Results showed that the available viral sequences segregated into five phylogeographic groups: western Atlantic and eastern Caribbean, central Pacific, western Pacific, Atlantic, and eastern Pacific groups. The concatenated ChHV5 sequences from Ecuador clustered with the eastern Pacific sequences.

- by Washington Cárdenas
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- Zoology, Herpes and Herpesviruses, Wildlife Diseases, Sea Turtles