Fibropapillomatosis in immature Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) from the Gulf of Venezuela

Abstract

Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is affecting multiple marine turtle (MT) species worldwide. In Venezuela, the understanding about this neoplastic condition is still in early stage. Hence, this paper aims to assess the occurrence and frequency of FP in green turtles (GT) in the Gulf of Venezuela (GV). Herein, it was compiled and analyzed the reports in the database of the NGO ‘Grupo de Trabajo en Tortugas Marinas del Golfo de Venezuela’, which includes all records of stranded MT in the GV from 2000 to 2011. Between 2000 and 2006, in the GV only 2 cases of FP in MT had been reported (1.71 % of total records). Subsequently, between 2008 and 2011, encounters of FP were more frequent; resulting in a total of 7 immature GT (2.93 % of the records) documented showing large masses or skin tumors in various parts of the body. The most affected area of the MT’s body was neck and venous sinus (37.50 %), followed by the anterior flippers (18.75 %), plastron (18.75 %), posterior region (cloaca 18.75 %) and lastly, the eyes (6.25 %). All individuals presented two or more body areas with FP. Although a correlation between the presence of FP and environmental factors observed in the study area was not assessed, the turtles evaluated came from coastal waters with high levels of eutrophication, habitat degradation, and pollution. It is necessary to monitor the occurrence of this disease and the environmental factors that may negatively affect the survival of MT populations in the GV.

Long‐term (29‐year) spatiotemporal patterns of sea turtle deaths in the southern Gulf of Mexico

“…Sea turtles with FP tumours appeared to be susceptible to entanglement in fishing lines and to have a reduced ability to swim and dive, locate, capture and swallow food and avoid predators (Chaloupka et al, 2008; Page‐Karjian, 2019). Immature turtles, mainly green turtles, are most frequently affected by FP on the coast of Campeche, as reported worldwide, and we agree on the need for further and more profound assessment of any association between habitat degradation and FP occurrence rates (Blackburn et al, 2021; Espinoza‐Rodríguez & Barrios‐Garrido, 2021; Silva‐Júnior et al, 2019).…”

Hemogramas de ejemplares inmaduros de tortuga verde (Chelonia mydas) en el Golfo de Venezuela

“…Con respecto a los valores de leucocitos y heterófilos, los cuales son considerados como indicadores de estresores sistémicos para varios reptiles [10,36], éstos se mantuvieron dentro del intervalo referente documentado en individuos en la misma zona de estudio [21] y a su vez con valores promedios bajos como ha sido reportado en otras poblaciones a nivel global [37]. Sin embargo, los índices H:L (Heterófilos: Leucocitos) para poder describir o determinar algún estrés relacionado con los cambios de la edad y/o estadio con respecto a los cambios o exposición a estresores ambientales no pudo determinarse [37], debido a las numerosas limitantes que se presentaron en el estudio; como el tamaño/número de muestras, el acceso a los individuos examinados, logística en la colecta de muestras y elevados costos económicos para el procesamiento de algunas muestras [37,38,39].…”

Spatial distribution of fibropapillomatosis in green turtles along the Queensland coast and an investigation into the influence of water quality on prevalence

“…While some studies identified correlations with FP, results and conclusions vary. The most consistently reported correlation is that between FP prevalence and areas of reduced water quality (Adnyana et al, 1997; Chaloupka et al, 2009; dos Santos et al, 2010; Espinoza‐Rodríguez & Barrios‐Garrido, 2022; Foley et al, 2005; Hargrove et al, 2016; Herbst, 1995; Jones et al, 2016; Miguel et al, 2022; Van Houtan et al, 2014). Typically, these sites are associated with catchment outflow from areas with high anthropogenic influences like agriculture, urbanization, and/or industrialization.…”