scholarly journals Chelonia mydas fibropapillomatosis in Baie Blanche, Tintamarre Island Saint Martin (FWI), an environmental sciences and veterinary cross-analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire SALADIN
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Marine Turtle ◽  
Neoplastic Disease ◽  
Environmental Pressures ◽  
Marine Turtles ◽  
Key West ◽  
Saint Martin

Abstract Chelonia mydas’s fibropapillomatosis is a panzootic neoplastic disease that has been affecting the species since 1930’s, starting in Key West Florida USA. Most likely induced by the Chelonian HerpesVirus 5 (ChHV5), fibropapillomatosis has been recorded as affecting all species of marine turtles, provoking the growth of malignant external and internal round shaped tumors to marine turtles, that share numerous genomic similarities with human cancers. This research focuses on the two pristine bays of Tintamarre island in Saint Martin (French West Indies), Baie Blanche and Lagon, where the early stage of fibropapillomatosis has been observed affecting juvenile Chelonia mydas resident of Tintamarre. The results obtained when cross-analyzing the environmental monitoring and studies performed of Tintamarre island and a veterinary health assessment of Chelonia mydas juvenile and sub-adult marine turtles of Baie Blanche, bring a different perspective to the environmental pressures that may be responsible of the expression of the disease in Chelonia mydas. Macro-algae and Cadmium (Cd) contamination of marine turtles habitat and foraging grounds are environmental parameters that are found as possibly inducing fibropapillomatosis clinical expression in Tintamarre in this research, concurring with previous publications findings. Tintamarre island in Saint Martin (FWI) is a key site to study pertaining to marine turtle fibropapillomatosis.

scholarly journals Genomic Variation of the Fibropapilloma-Associated Marine Turtle Herpesvirus across Seven Geographic Areas and Three Host Species

2005 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 1125-1132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca J. Greenblatt ◽  
Sandra L. Quackenbush ◽  
Rufina N. Casey ◽  
Joel Rovnak ◽  
George H. Balazs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Genomic Variation ◽  
Open Reading Frames ◽  
Marine Turtle ◽  
Neoplastic Disease ◽  
Geographic Variations ◽  
Turtle Species ◽  
Marine Turtles ◽  
Simplex Virus ◽  
Reading Frames

ABSTRACT Fibropapillomatosis (FP) of marine turtles is an emerging neoplastic disease associated with infection by a novel turtle herpesvirus, fibropapilloma-associated turtle herpesvirus (FPTHV). This report presents 23 kb of the genome of an FPTHV infecting a Hawaiian green turtle (Chelonia mydas). By sequence homology, the open reading frames in this contig correspond to herpes simplex virus genes UL23 through UL36. The order, orientation, and homology of these putative genes indicate that FPTHV is a member of the Alphaherpesvirinae. The UL27-, UL30-, and UL34-homologous open reading frames from FPTHVs infecting nine FP-affected marine turtles from seven geographic areas and three turtle species (C. mydas, Caretta caretta, and Lepidochelys olivacea) were compared. A high degree of nucleotide sequence conservation was found among these virus variants. However, geographic variations were also found: the FPTHVs examined here form four groups, corresponding to the Atlantic Ocean, West pacific, mid-Pacific, and east Pacific. Our results indicate that FPTHV was established in marine turtle populations prior to the emergence of FP as it is currently known.

scholarly journals Status of Marine Turtles in British Columbia Waters: A Reassessment

2004 ◽  
Vol 118 (1) ◽  
pp. 72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald F. McAlpine ◽  
Stan A. Orchard ◽  
Kelly A. Sendall ◽  
Rod Palm
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Marine Environment ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Marine Turtle ◽  
Dermochelys Coriacea ◽  
Concerted Effort ◽  
Leatherback Turtles ◽  
Marine Turtles ◽  
Green Turtles

Marine turtles in British Columbia have previously been considered off course stragglers. Here we document 20 new reports for Green Turtles, Chelonia mydas, and Leatherback Turtles, Dermochelys coriacea, for the province. Until recently there had been no concerted effort to acquire data on marine turtle abundance or frequency off British Columbia. Observations presented here allow a reassessment of marine turtle status in British Columbia waters. We suggest Green Turtles and Leatherbacks should be considered rare vagrants and uncommon seasonal residents, respectively, off British Columbia and that they are a natural part of the British Columbia marine environment.

scholarly journals Two hundred years after a commercial marine turtle fishery: the current status of marine turtles nesting in the Cayman Islands

Oryx ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan J. Aiken ◽  
Brendan J. Godley ◽  
Annette C. Broderick ◽  
Timothy Austin ◽  
Gina Ebanks-Petrie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Marine Turtle ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Cayman Islands ◽  
Eretmochelys Imbricata ◽  
Marine Turtles ◽  
Mature Adults ◽  
Large Populations ◽  
Sexually Mature ◽  
Insight Into

AbstractLarge populations of marine turtles breeding in the Cayman Islands were drastically reduced in the early 1800s. However, marine turtle nesting still occurs in the islands. The present-day status of this nesting population provides insight into the conservation of marine turtles, a long-lived species. In 1998 and 1999, the first systematic survey of marine turtle nesting in the Cayman Islands found 38 nests on 22 beaches scattered through the three islands. Three species were found: the green Chelonia mydas, hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata and loggerhead Caretta caretta turtles. Comparison with other rookeries suggests that the small number of sexually mature adults surviving Cayman's huge perturbations may be impeding population recovery. This shows the need to implement conservation measures prior to massive reductions in population size.

scholarly journals Natural beaches confer fitness benefits to nesting marine turtles

2008 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 704-706 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A Pike
Keyword(s):  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Coastal Development ◽  
Marine Turtle ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Marine Turtles ◽  
Green Turtles ◽  
Offspring Production ◽  
Coastal Species ◽  
Terrestrial Habitats

Coastal ecosystems provide vital linkages between aquatic and terrestrial habitats and thus support extremely high levels of biodiversity. However, coastlines also contain the highest densities of human development anywhere on the planet and are favoured destinations for tourists, creating a situation where the potential for negative effects on coastal species is extremely high. I gathered data on marine turtle reproductive output from the literature to determine whether coastal development negatively influences offspring production. Female loggerhead ( Caretta caretta ) and green turtles ( Chelonia mydas ) nesting on natural beaches (as opposed to beaches with permanent development) produce significantly more hatchling turtles per nest; all else being equal, females that successfully produce more offspring will have higher fitness than conspecifics producing fewer offspring. Thus, female marine turtles nesting on natural beaches probably have higher fitness than turtles nesting on developed beaches. Consequently, populations nesting on natural beaches may be able to recover more quickly from the historic population declines that have plagued marine turtles, and some species may recover more quickly than others.

scholarly journals An ideal combination for marine turtle conservation: exceptional nesting season, with low nest predation resulting from effective low-cost predator management

Oryx ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Engeman ◽  
R. Erik Martin ◽  
John Woolard ◽  
Margo Stahl ◽  
Charles Pelizza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nest Predation ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Loggerhead Turtle ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Marine Turtle ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Predator Control ◽  
Marine Turtles ◽  
Predator Management

AbstractWe examined impacts from effective predator management on nesting success of marine turtles in an exceptional nesting year at Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge, Florida, USA, a beach with a high density of nesting marine turtles that has a history of severe nest predation. Historically up to 95% of nests were predated, primarily by raccoons Procyon lotor and, more recently, armadillos Dasypus novemcinctus. Predator control was identified as the most important conservation tool for marine turtle reproduction. Predator management by refuge staff as ancillary duties typically only held predation levels to c. 50%. However, when experts in predator control were employed predation was substantially reduced. An extraordinary opportunity to evaluate the biological and economic benefits of this management approach occurred in 2008, a year with exceptionally heavy nesting. Loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta nesting resurged, green Chelonia mydas and leatherback Dermochelys coriacea turtles nested in record numbers, producing twice or more than their median number of nests, and the first Kemp’s ridley Lepidochelys kempii nest was observed. Overall predation was 14.7%, resulting in an estimated > 128,000 additional hatchlings emerging compared to estimates had no predator management been in place and historical predation rates occurred, and > 56,000 hatchlings more than expected had predator management been conducted as ancillary duties rather than by experts. The USD 12,000 investment for expert predator management equated to only USD 0.09 spent for each additional hatchling produced compared to the scenario of no predator control and only USD 0.21 compared to the scenario of predator control as ancillary duties.

scholarly journals Using Aerial Photogrammetry to Assess Stock-Wide Marine Turtle Nesting Distribution, Abundance and Cumulative Exposure to Industrial Activity

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1116
Author(s):  
Sabrina Fossette ◽  
Graham Loewenthal ◽  
Lauren R. Peel ◽  
Anna Vitenbergs ◽  
Melanie A. Hamel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Marine Turtle ◽  
Cumulative Exposure ◽  
Cumulative Impact ◽  
Industrial Activity ◽  
Marine Turtles ◽  
Aerial Photogrammetry ◽  
Nesting Activity

The lack of accurate distribution maps and reliable abundance estimates for marine species can limit the ability of managers to design scale-appropriate management measures for a stock or population. Here, we tested the utility of aerial photogrammetry for conducting large-scale surveys of nesting marine turtles at remote locations, with a focus on the flatback turtle (Natator depressus) in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Aerial surveys were conducted between 29 November and 6 December 2016 to overlap with the peak nesting season for flatback turtles and collected imagery was used to examine marine turtle distribution, abundance, and cumulative exposure to industrial activity relative to overlap with protected areas. Two observers independently reviewed aerial georeferenced photographs of 644 beaches and recorded turtle tracks and other evidence of turtle nesting activity. A total of 375 beaches showed signs of nesting activity by either flatback, green (Chelonia mydas) or hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) turtles. Most of these beaches (85.3%) were located on islands, and the rest (14.7%) on the mainland. Half (n = 174) of the active beaches showed evidence of fresh (0–36 h. old) flatback nesting activity, with track abundance varying from 1.0 to 222.0 tracks·night−1. Six rookeries accounted for 62% of the Pilbara flatback stock. Remarkably, 77% of identified flatback rookeries occurred within protected areas. However, one-third (34%) of those were also located within 5 km of a major industrial site, including eight of the highest abundance beaches (50–250 tracks·night−1). Several key rookeries were also identified as being relatively unexposed to industry-related pressures but currently unprotected, highlighting the need for a cumulative impact assessment to be completed for this flatback stock. Finally, our aerial tallies and multiple ground-survey flatback track tallies were highly correlated and together with low intra- and inter-observer errors suggested that reliable data can be collected via aerial photogrammetry for nesting marine turtles. Such large-scale digitized surveys can therefore be used to assess the cumulative exposure of marine turtles to pressures, and to reveal new conservation opportunities.

Estimation of tag loss in marine turtle research

1992 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 457 ◽  
Author(s):  
CJ Limpus
Keyword(s):  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Marine Turtle ◽  
Correction Factors ◽  
Marine Turtles ◽  
Feeding Ground ◽  
Tag Loss ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Study Type ◽  
Species Study

From the results from long-term multiple tagging studies of marine turtles in eastern Australia, the probability of tag loss was estimated for standard monel and titanium turtle tags applied at different tagging positions on Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas in nesting and feeding-ground studies. Tag loss was variable, being a function of tag design, tagging position, species, study type and tag age. Tag loss was greatest from the more distal tagging positions on the trailing edge of the front flippers. Rear flipper tags were lost at a higher rate than tags in the axillary-tagging position on the front-flipper. Tag loss was greater for turtles tagged in nesting studies than in feeding-ground studies. Monel tags, in general, were lost at a greater rate than titanium tags. There was a species contribution to titanium tag loss but not to monel tag loss. The probabilities of tag loss calculated for this study can be used as correction factors for tag loss in those marine-turtle studies where recapture rates have been measured.

SOME ASPECTS OF ELECTROLYTE EXCRETION IN THE GREEN TURTLE, CHELONIA MYDAS MYDAS

1964 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. N. HOLMES ◽  
R. L. MCBEAN
Keyword(s):  
Water Balance ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Salt Gland ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Marine Turtle ◽  
Potassium Excretion ◽  
Electrolyte Excretion ◽  
Marine Turtles ◽  
The Face ◽  
Sodium And Potassium

1. The ‘salt gland’ appears to be the predominant route of sodium and potassium excretion in the marine turtle Chelonia mydas mydas. 2. The kidney of the marine turtle is probably not capable of maintaining a positive water balance in the face of the electrolyte loads presented by sea water and food. 3. Treatment with amphenone reduced the sodium and potassium excretion of fed and saline-loaded marine turtles. The administration of corticosterone partially corrected this reduction. Thus the excretion of electrolytes by the ‘salt gland’ appears to be, at least partly, dependent upon a fully functional adrenal cortex. 4. The significance of the ingestion of sea water by marine turtles is discussed in relation to the excretion of the large amount of potassium contained in their food

scholarly journals The importance of north-west Madagascar for marine turtle conservation

Oryx ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 232-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Metcalf ◽  
Katie Hampson ◽  
Alain Andriamizava ◽  
Rivo Andrianirina ◽  
Claudine Ramiarisoa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Education ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Marine Turtle ◽  
Conservation Priority ◽  
Eretmochelys Imbricata ◽  
North West ◽  
Marine Turtles ◽  
Incidental Capture ◽  
Turtle Conservation ◽  
Nesting Activity

AbstractThe coast of north-west Madagascar is an important nesting and feeding ground for marine turtles, but little is known about populations in this area. From July to December 2000 we documented nesting activity of, and investigated threats to, green Chelonia mydas and hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata turtles at three sites along this coast: Nosy Iranja, the Radama Islands, and the Nosy Hara archipelago. Levels of nesting activity varied between sites, with green and hawksbill turtle nesting concentrated in different areas. The principal threats identified were opportunistic exploitation of nesting females and incidental capture in fishing nets. Commercial importance of marine turtles was negligible, suggesting conservation measures such as targeted environmental education could have beneficial impacts on these populations. Evidence for high levels of nesting activity reported here indicate that education efforts in these areas should be a conservation priority.

Migration patterns of marine turtles in the Gulf of Carpentaria, northern Australia: implications for Aboriginal management

2004 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rod Kennett ◽  
N. Munungurritj ◽  
Djawa Yunupingu
Keyword(s):  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Marine Turtle ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Migration Patterns ◽  
Marine Turtles ◽  
North East ◽  
Arnhem Land

Marine turtles regularly migrate hundreds to thousands of kilometres between nesting beaches and home foraging grounds. Effective conservation of marine turtles requires understanding of migration patterns in order to facilitate regional cooperation across the turtles' migratory range. Indigenous Australians maintain traditional rights and responsibilities for marine turtle management across much of the northern Australian coast. To better understand turtle migrations and identify with whom the Aboriginal people of north-east Arnhem Land (Yolngu) share turtles, we used satellite telemetry to track the migration routes of 20 green turtles (Chelonia mydas) departing from a nesting beach ~45 km south of Nhulunbuy, north-east Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia. All tracked turtles remained within the Gulf of Carpentaria. These results suggest that the foraging habitat for adults of this nesting population may be largely confined to the Gulf, offering an optimistic scenario for green turtle conservation. Given these results and the critical role indigenous people play in conserving and managing marine turtles, we recommend that a formal network of indigenous communities be established as the foundation of a community-based turtle-management strategy for the Gulf of Carpentaria region.

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