scholarly journals Evidence for Host Selectivity and Specialization by Epizoic Chelonibia Barnacles Between Hawksbill and Green Sea Turtles

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liberty L. Boyd ◽  
John D. Zardus ◽  
Courtney M. Knauer ◽  
Lawrence D. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Sea Turtles ◽  
Shell Growth ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Eretmochelys Imbricata ◽  
Turtle Species ◽  
Green Sea Turtles ◽  
Green Turtles ◽  
Microbial Biofilms ◽  
Host Relationships ◽  
Hawksbill Turtles

Epibionts are organisms that utilize the exterior of other organisms as a living substratum. Many affiliate opportunistically with hosts of different species, but others specialize on particular hosts as obligate associates. We investigated a case of apparent host specificity between two barnacles that are epizoites of sea turtles and illuminate some ecological considerations that may shape their host relationships. The barnacles Chelonibia testudinaria and Chelonibia caretta, though roughly similar in appearance, are separable by distinctions in morphology, genotype, and lifestyle. However, though each is known to colonize both green (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) sea turtles, C. testudinaria is >5 times more common on greens, while C. caretta is >300 times more common on hawksbills. Two competing explanations for this asymmetry in barnacle incidence are either that the species’ larvae are spatially segregated in mutually exclusive host-encounter zones or their distributions overlap and the larvae behaviorally select their hosts from a common pool. We indirectly tested the latter by documenting the occurrence of adults of both barnacle species in two locations (SE Florida and Nose Be, Madagascar) where both turtle species co-mingle. For green and hawksbill turtles in both locations (Florida: n = 32 and n = 275, respectively; Madagascar: n = 32 and n = 125, respectively), we found that C. testudinaria occurred on green turtles only (percent occurrence – FL: 38.1%; MD: 6.3%), whereas the barnacle C. caretta was exclusively found on hawksbill turtles (FL: 82.2%; MD: 27.5%). These results support the hypothesis that the larvae of these barnacles differentially select host species from a shared supply. Physio-biochemical differences in host shell material, conspecific chemical cues, external microbial biofilms, and other surface signals may be salient factors in larval selectivity. Alternatively, barnacle presence may vary by host micro-environment. Dissimilarities in scute structure and shell growth between hawksbill and green turtles may promote critical differences in attachment modes observed between these barnacles. In understanding the co-evolution of barnacles and hosts it is key to consider the ecologies of both hosts and epibionts in interpreting associations of chance, choice, and dependence. Further studies are necessary to investigate the population status and settlement spectrum of barnacles inhabiting sea turtles.

Intake and excretion of arsenicals in green (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata)

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tetsuro Agusa ◽  
Kozue Takagi ◽  
Todd W. Miller ◽  
Reiji Kubota ◽  
Yasumi Anan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Marine Animals ◽  
Eretmochelys Imbricata ◽  
Accumulation Pattern ◽  
Turtle Species ◽  
Green Turtles ◽  
Hawksbill Turtles ◽  
Prey Items

Environmental context Although among higher marine animals, relatively high concentration of arsenic and unique distribution of arsenic compounds are found in green (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), the accumulation mechanism remains unknown. We examined the accumulation of arsenicals in two turtles from the standpoint of short- and long-term intake and excretion and found that prey items might be important for the arsenic accumulation. This study can provide useful information on the accumulation pattern of arsenic speciation in sea turtles. Abstract We analysed arsenic (As) compounds in the stomach and intestine contents, bile and urine of green (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) to understand As accumulation through intake and excretion. Stable isotopes of δ15N and δ13C were also measured for understanding the feeding behaviour dependent accumulation of As. Major As species in gastrointestinal contents were unknown water-soluble As, followed by unextracted As. Concentrations of AB and DMA in the tissues were higher than those in the stomach contents (prey items), indicating high bioaccumulation of these arsenicals. In green turtles, AB concentration was high in bile and increased throughout the gastrointestinal tract, suggesting significant biliary excretion of AB. δ15N was positively correlated with AB level in green turtles, whereas a negative relationship between residual As and δ15N was observed in hawksbill turtles. This study indicates feeding behaviour-dependent accumulation of As compounds in both turtle species for the first time.

Green Sea Turtles Stranded by Cyclone Kathy on the South-Westeern Coast of the Culf of Carpentaria

1985 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 523 ◽  
Author(s):  
CJ Limpus ◽  
PC Reed
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Olive Ridley ◽  
Eretmochelys Imbricata ◽  
Lepidochelys Olivacea ◽  
Green Sea Turtles ◽  
Green Turtles ◽  
Previous Season ◽  
Hawksbill Turtles ◽  
Principal Species

Cyclone Kathy on 23 March 1984 stranded many green turtles, Chelonia mydas, on the coast adjacent to the Sir Edward Pellew Is. It is estimated that over 1000 were thrown up by the storm surge and that over 500 were left stranded by the receding waters, including migrants from the Raine I. rookery. These turtles, which were predominately large females, had been feeding close inshore on seagrass. Of the mature females sampled, 62% were preparing to breed in the next breeding season but none had bred in the previous season. The flatback turtle, Chelonia depressa, the principal species breeding on the Sir Edward Pellew Is, was not involved in the stranding. Hawksbill turtles, Eretmochelys imbricata, and olive ridley turtles, Lepidochelys olivacea, which occur in the deeper offshore waters were also not stranded. Some of the rescued turtles were subsequently recaptured nesting at Raine I.

scholarly journals Lipid profiling suggests species specificity and minimal seasonal variation in Pacific Green and Hawksbill Turtle plasma

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0253916
Author(s):  
Chelsea E. Clyde-Brockway ◽  
Christina R. Ferreira ◽  
Elizabeth A. Flaherty ◽  
Frank V. Paladino
Keyword(s):  
Sea Turtles ◽  
Multiple Reaction Monitoring ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Lipid Classes ◽  
Plasma Samples ◽  
Lipid Profiling ◽  
Eretmochelys Imbricata ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Hawksbill Turtles

In this study, we applied multiple reaction monitoring (MRM)-profiling to explore the relative ion intensity of lipid classes in plasma samples from sea turtles in order to profile lipids relevant to sea turtle physiology and investigate how dynamic ocean environments affect these profiles. We collected plasma samples from foraging green (Chelonia mydas, n = 28) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata, n = 16) turtles live captured in North Pacific Costa Rica in 2017. From these samples, we identified 623 MRMs belonging to 10 lipid classes (sphingomyelin, phosphatidylcholine, free fatty acid, cholesteryl ester, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, ceramide, and triacylglyceride) and one metabolite group (acyl-carnitine) present in sea turtle plasma. The relative ion intensities of most lipids (80%) were consistent between species, across seasons, and were not correlated to body size or estimated sex. Of the differences we observed, the most pronounced was the differences in relative ion intensity between species. We identified 123 lipids that had species-specific relative ion intensities. While some of this variability is likely due to green and hawksbill turtles consuming different food items, we found indications of a phylogenetic component as well. Of these, we identified 47 lipids that varied by season, most belonging to the structural phospholipid classes. Overall, more lipids (n = 39) had higher relative ion intensity in the upwelling (colder) season compared to the non-upwelling season (n = 8). Further, we found more variability in hawksbill turtles than green turtles. Here, we provide the framework in which to apply future lipid profiling in the assessment of health, physiology, and behavior in endangered sea turtles.

scholarly journals Hematologic and biochemical characteristics of stranded green sea turtles

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 423-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duane T. March ◽  
Kimberly Vinette-Herrin ◽  
Andrew Peters ◽  
Ellen Ariel ◽  
David Blyde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Uric Acid ◽  
Sea Turtles ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Blood Parameters ◽  
Reference Intervals ◽  
Prognostic Indicators ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Green Sea Turtles ◽  
Green Turtles ◽  
Lower Protein

To improve understanding of pathophysiologic processes occurring in green sea turtles ( Chelonia mydas) stranded along the east coast of Australia, we retrospectively examined the hematologic and biochemical blood parameters of 127 green turtles admitted to 2 rehabilitation facilities, Dolphin Marine Magic (DMM) and Taronga Zoo (TZ), between 2002 and 2016. The predominant size class presented was small immature animals (SIM), comprising 88% and 69% of admissions to DMM and TZ, respectively. Significant differences in blood profiles were noted between facility, size, and outcome. Elevated levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and heterophils were poor prognostic indicators in animals from TZ, but not DMM. SIM animals at both institutions had lower protein levels than large older (LO) animals. SIM animals at DMM also had lower hematocrit and monocyte concentration; SIM animals at TZ had lower heterophil counts. Urea was measured for 27 SIM animals from TZ, but the urea-to-uric acid ratio was not prognostically useful. Strong correlations were seen between AST and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH; r = 0.68) and uric acid and bile acids ( r = 0.72) in the 45 SIM animals from DMM in which additional analytes were measured. χ2 contingency tests showed that the most recently published reference intervals were not prognostically useful. A paired t-test showed that protein levels rose and heterophil numbers fell in the 15 SIM animals from TZ during the rehabilitation process. Our results indicate that further work is required to identify reliable prognostic biomarkers for green turtles.

scholarly journals Molecular Assessment of Chelonid Alphaherpesvirus 5 Infection in Tumor-Free Green (Chelonia mydas) and Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) Sea Turtles in North Carolina, USA, 2015–2019

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1964 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annie Page-Karjian ◽  
Maria E. Serrano ◽  
Jeffrey Cartzendafner ◽  
Ashley Morgan ◽  
Branson W. Ritchie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
North Carolina ◽  
Sea Turtles ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Caretta Caretta ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Western Atlantic ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Turtle Species ◽  
Green Turtles

Fibropapillomatosis is associated with chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5 (ChHV5) and tumor formation in sea turtles. We collected blood samples from 113 green (Chelonia mydas) and 112 loggerhead (Caretta caretta) turtles without fibropapillomatosis, including 46 free-ranging turtles (20 green turtles, 26 loggerheads), captured in Core Sound, North Carolina, and 179 turtles (93 green turtles, 86 loggerheads) in rehabilitative care in North Carolina. Blood samples were analyzed for ChHV5 DNA using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and for antibodies to ChHV5 peptides using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). None of the samples from foraging turtles tested positive for ChHV5 by qPCR; ELISA was not used for foraging turtles. Samples from 18/179 (10.1%) rehabilitating turtles tested positive for ChHV5 using qPCR, and 32/56 (57.1%) rehabilitating turtles tested positive for antibodies to ChHV5 using ELISA. Five turtles that tested positive by qPCR or ELISA at admission converted to being undetectable during rehabilitation, and five that initially tested negative converted to being positive. Both sea turtle species were significantly more likely to test positive for ChHV5 using ELISA than with qPCR (p < 0.001). There was no difference in the proportions of green turtles versus loggerheads that tested positive for ChHV5 using qPCR, but loggerheads were significantly more likely than green turtles to test positive for ChHV5 using ELISA. This finding suggests that loggerheads infected with ChHV5 at some point in their life may be more able than green turtles to mount an effective immune response against recrudescent infection, pointing to species-specific genetic differences in the two species’ immune response to ChHV5 infection. This is the first study to analyze antibodies to ChHV5 in loggerhead turtles and represents the most complete dataset on ChHV5 DNA detection in sea turtles encountered in the more northern latitudes of their western Atlantic habitat.

Trace metal concentrations in livers and kidneys of sea turtles from south-eastern Queensland, Australia

1998 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 409 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Pople ◽  
A. N. Gordon ◽  
J. Ng
Keyword(s):  
Sea Turtles ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Metal Concentrations ◽  
Eretmochelys Imbricata ◽  
Turtle Species ◽  
Lepidochelys Olivacea ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Obvious Association ◽  
High Concentrations

The concentrations of some or all of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) were determined in the livers and kidneys of 50 stranded sea turtles (38 Chelonia mydas, eight Caretta caretta, three Eretmochelys imbricata, one Lepidochelys olivacea) from the Moreton Bay region of south-eastern Queensland, Australia. Concentrations of Cd, Se and Zn in the kidney tended to decrease with age, whereas concentrations of Zn in the liver tended to increase. Concentrations of Cd in all sea turtle species (1.7–75.9 µg g-1 wet weight) were amongst the highest recorded for marine vertebrates globally. Although there was no obvious association between metal concentrations and particular diseases in C. mydas, the high concentrations of Cd found in edible turtle tissues may pose a threat to the health of indigenous people whose diet includes C. mydas.

Comparison of plasma androgen profiles in green and hawksbill sea turtles inhabiting Queensland waters

2004 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim S. Jessop ◽  
Colin J. Limpus ◽  
Joan M. Whittier
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Phase Shift ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Wild Populations ◽  
Ontogenetic Changes ◽  
Eretmochelys Imbricata ◽  
Green Turtles ◽  
Hawksbill Turtles ◽  
Delayed Phase ◽  
Androgen Levels

Investigations were made into profiles of plasma androgens (combined testosterone and 5α-dihydrotestosterone) in green (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) turtles inhabiting waters off Queensland, Australia. First, we documented the occurrence of sex-based and ontogenetic changes in plasma androgen of immature green and hawksbill turtles occurring in wild populations. Specifically, androgen levels are increased in pubescent individuals and adults of both species and sexes. Second, we measured seasonal variation in plasma androgen profiles of adult male green and hawksbill turtles. Third, we compared plasma androgens of post-nesting green and hawksbill turtles. As for previous studies on captive green turtles, our data indicate that wild populations of green turtles also show a prenuptial spermatogenic pattern, in which plasma androgen levels rise and peak prior to migration and courtship. However, our data from male hawksbill turtles are in contrast to this pattern and provide some evidence to suggest that a delayed phase shift may occur in this population. Unlike male green turtles, male hawksbill turtles in this study all showed signs of physiological preparation for breeding.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document