The moss-back alga (Cladophorophyceae, Chlorophyta) on two species of freshwater turtles in the Kimberleys

Skinner, Stephen; FitzSimmons, Nancy N.; Entwisle, Timothy J.

doi:10.7751/telopea20085817

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Epibiotic species in both genera have varying geographical distributions (though tentative in Luticola due to the paucity of studies). Thus far, Luticola is known on turtles from only North and South America from this study and [ 17 ], respectively, whereas Basicladia has a wider distribution, occurring widely in North and South America, and in Australia [ 15 ]. Most species of Basicladia are turtle epiphytes (one species is found on snails and two typically occur on abiotic substrates: [ 9 , 43 ], whereas most species of Luticola are not associated with turtles and are more typically found in soil or moss [ 37 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Diatoms on the carapace of common snapping turtles: Luticola spp. dominate despite spatial variation in assemblages

Bergey

2017

PLoS ONE

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Filamentous algae are often visible on the carapaces of freshwater turtles and these algae are dominated by a few species with varying geographic distributions. Compared to filamentous algae, little is known about the much more speciose microalgae on turtles. Our objectives were to compare the diatom flora on a single turtle species (the common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina) across part of its range to examine spatial patterns and determine whether specific diatom taxa were consistently associated with turtles (as occurs in the filamentous alga Basicladia spp.). Using preserved turtle specimens from museums, we systematically sampled diatoms on the carapaces of 25 snapping turtles across five states. The diverse diatom assemblages formed two groups–the southern Oklahoma group and the northern Illinois/Wisconsin/New York group, with Arkansas not differing from either group. Of the six diatom species found in all five states, four species are widespread, whereas Luticola cf. goeppertiana and L. cf. mutica are undescribed species, known only from turtles in our study. L. cf. goeppertiana comprised 83% of the diatom abundance on Oklahoma turtles and was relatively more abundant on southern turtles (Oklahoma and Arkansas) than on northern turtles (where mean abundance/state was > 10%). L. cf. mutica was the most abundant species (40%) on New York turtles. Some Luticola species are apparently turtle associates and results support a pattern of spatial variation in Luticola species, similar to that in Basicladia. Using museum specimens is an efficient and effective method to study the distribution of micro-epibionts.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…chelonum , have been reported on turtles in South America [ 12 , 13 ]. Other turtle-dwelling Basicladia species are found in Japan [ 14 ] and Australia [ 15 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diatoms on the carapace of common snapping turtles: Luticola spp. dominate despite spatial variation in assemblages

Bergey

2017

PLoS ONE

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“…Fish also have keratinized scales, but unlike turtles, they secrete an epidermal mucus that contains, among other things, many antimicrobial peptides, which no doubt affect the microbiome [60]. Indeed, the ability of turtles’ shells to harbour specialized organisms has fascinated herpetologists for decades, and the macroalgae (hereafter, ‘algae’) that cover many turtles’ shells are actually members of a unique genus ( Basicladia ) that grows almost exclusively on turtles [61–63]. These algae have already been implicated in a number of ecological roles, including camouflage, seed dispersal, and harbouring a community of crustaceans [64, 65].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbiome diversity and composition varies across body areas in a freshwater turtle

et al. 2020

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There is increasing recognition that microbiomes are important for host health and ecology, and understanding host microbiomes is important for planning appropriate conservation strategies. However, microbiome data are lacking for many taxa, including turtles. To further our understanding of the interactions between aquatic microbiomes and their hosts, we used next generation sequencing technology to examine the microbiomes of the Krefft’s river turtle (Emydura macquarii krefftii). We examined the microbiomes of the buccal (oral) cavity, skin on the head, parts of the shell with macroalgae and parts of the shell without macroalgae. Bacteria in the phyla Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were the most common in most samples (particularly buccal samples), but Cyanobacteria , Deinococcus-thermus and Chloroflexi were also common (particularly in external microbiomes). We found significant differences in community composition among each body area, as well as significant differences among individuals. The buccal cavity had lower bacterial richness and evenness than any of the external microbiomes, and it had many amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) with a low relative abundance compared to other body areas. Nevertheless, the buccal cavity also had the most unique ASVs. Parts of the shell with and without algae also had different microbiomes, with particularly obvious differences in the relative abundances of the families Methylomonaceae, Saprospiraceae and Nostocaceae . This study provides novel, baseline information about the external microbiomes of turtles and is a first step in understanding their ecological roles.

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“…In contrast, leeches were only found on 34.5% of E. m. macquarii in Victoria, and only 10.7% of individuals had more than five leeches (Chessman, 1987). Meanwhile, 0%–5.5% of Emydura victoriae [ australis ] and 12.3%–83.3% of Chelodina burrungandjii in the Kimberley had leeches (Skinner et al, 2008). It is unclear why leech levels are so low in Cooper Creek.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The ecology and morphology of Australia's desert turtle (Emydura macquarii emmotti)

McKnight,

Georges,

Guarino

et al. 2023

Austral Ecology

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Cooper Creek is one of Australia's largest unregulated river systems and one of the world's most variable large river systems. It is a dynamic environment that oscillates between booms and busts; yet, many species thrive in it. One of these species, the Cooper Creek turtle (Emydura macquarii emmotti) has received little attention, despite being one of Australia's largest freshwater turtles and living further inland than any other Australian turtle. We conducted surveys for E. m. emmotti in 2001–2004, 2019, and 2022, focussing predominantly on the Waterloo waterhole. Waterloo had a large population of E. m. emmotti (508 estimated individuals; 95% CI = 447–596) with an estimated density of 64.8 turtles/ha (95% CI = 57.0–76.2) and estimate biomass of 74.4 kg/ha (95% CI = 57.6–100.3 kg/ha). Juveniles were highly abundant in all years, representing up to 63.6% of captured individuals. It was slightly (but not significantly) male‐biased in 2001–2004 and significantly female‐biased in 2019. All sizes and sexes used the floodplain during a flooding event in 2022, but more males than females were captured on the floodplain, and there was evidence of male‐biased dispersal across the years. Compared to Murray River turtles (Emydura macquarii macquarii), E. m. emmotti exhibited megacephaly across all ages and sexes, with particularly pronounced megacephaly in adult females. Algae were present on many individuals (including on the skin and plastron) but was relatively more abundant on juveniles. Leeches were not detected on any of the 66 turtles that were examined for them. The following injuries/malformations were noted: missing or injured limbs (3.2%), missing or injured eyes (1.3%), damaged shells (8.0%), scute/shell anomalies and malformations (10.6%), and marginal scute seams extending into the costals (67.4% of adults, 1.2% of juveniles). This paper presents some of the first work on this unusual turtle and makes recommendations for future research.

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The moss-back alga (Cladophorophyceae, Chlorophyta) on two species of freshwater turtles in the Kimberleys

Cited by 8 publications

References 8 publications

Diatoms on the carapace of common snapping turtles: Luticola spp. dominate despite spatial variation in assemblages

Diatoms on the carapace of common snapping turtles: Luticola spp. dominate despite spatial variation in assemblages

Microbiome diversity and composition varies across body areas in a freshwater turtle

The ecology and morphology of Australia's desert turtle (Emydura macquarii emmotti)

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