Trace Elements in Blood of Sea Turtles Lepidochelys olivacea in the Gulf of California, Mexico

Zavala‐Norzagaray, Alan A.; Ley‐Quiñónez, César P.; Espinosa-Carreón, T. Leticia; Canizalez-Román, Adrian; Hart, Catherine E.; Aguirre, A. Alonso

doi:10.1007/s00128-014-1320-8

Cited by 23 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Previous studies in this area have confirmed the presence of five of the seven sea turtle species known worldwide. Of these five species, the olive ridley is the most abundant [ 15 , 16 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Blood biochemistry of olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtles foraging in northern Sinaloa, Mexico

et al. 2018

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Blood parameters provide an excellent tool to evaluate the health status of wildlife. However, there are few studies about health parameters of sea turtles in Mexico. For olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea), no information was available to establish the health baseline for the species. The objective of this study was to establish reference blood biochemistry values for olive ridley turtles in the northern Sinaloa foraging area. Between 2013 and 2015, 82 olive ridley turtles were captured. Body condition index (BCI) presented a mean of 1.46 ± 0.14 (1.17–2.02) that categorized the population with excellent body condition; in addition, 99% of the turtles captured had a good physical appearance. Blood was collected for biochemistry analysis from 60 turtles. Significantly higher values of total protein, albumin, A/G ratio (albumin/globulin) and PCV (packed cell volume or hematocrit) were observed in adult when compared to subadult turtles. On the other hand, no significant differences were found when females and males were compared. Based on the BCI, physical assessment, and blood parameters, and compared to other sea turtle species, olive ridley turtles in northern Sinaloa were considered in excellent health. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to establish normal blood biochemistry values of foraging olive ridley turtles in northern Sinaloa.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Blood biochemistry of olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtles foraging in northern Sinaloa, Mexico

et al. 2018

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“…For example, methoxychlor, endrin, and heptachlor levels in the Navachiste-Macapule lagoon system suggested that these compounds were continuously applied although their use is forbidden (Montes et al, 2012 ). Several recent studies evaluating heavy metals and their potential impact on sea turtles in Northwestern Mexico have been reported (Frías-Espericueta et al, 2006 ; Ley-Quinonez et al, 2011 ; Ley-Quiñónez et al, 2013 ; Zavala-Norzagaray et al, 2014 ). The region encompasses the northern nesting and feeding distribution for black ( Chelonia mydas agassizii ) and olive ridley ( Lepidochelys olivacea ) turtles (Ley-Quiñónez et al, 2013 ; Aguilar-Gonzalez et al, 2014 ; Zavala-Norzagaray et al, 2014 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several recent studies evaluating heavy metals and their potential impact on sea turtles in Northwestern Mexico have been reported (Frías-Espericueta et al, 2006 ; Ley-Quinonez et al, 2011 ; Ley-Quiñónez et al, 2013 ; Zavala-Norzagaray et al, 2014 ). The region encompasses the northern nesting and feeding distribution for black ( Chelonia mydas agassizii ) and olive ridley ( Lepidochelys olivacea ) turtles (Ley-Quiñónez et al, 2013 ; Aguilar-Gonzalez et al, 2014 ; Zavala-Norzagaray et al, 2014 ). The effects of heavy metals and other environmental contaminants in sea turtles have been previously documented as one of the potential synergic etiologies of marine turtle fibropapillomatosis (Aguirre et al, 1994 , 2006 ; Lutcavage et al, 1997 ; Aguirre and Lutz, 2004 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Isolation, characterization, and antibiotic resistance of Vibrio spp. in sea turtles from Northwestern Mexico

et al. 2015

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The aerobic oral and cloacal bacterial microbiota and their antimicrobial resistance were characterized for 64 apparently healthy sea turtles captured at their foraging grounds in Ojo de Liebre Lagoon (OLL), Baja California Sur (BCS), Mexico (Pacific Ocean) and the lagoon system of Navachiste (LSN) and Marine Area of Influence (MAI), Guasave, Sinaloa (Gulf of California). A total of 34 black turtles (Chelonia mydas agassizii) were sampled in OLL and eight black turtles and 22 olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) were sampled in LSN and MAI, respectively from January to December 2012. We isolated 13 different species of Gram-negative bacteria. The most frequently isolated bacteria were Vibrio alginolyticus in 39/64 (60%), V. parahaemolyticus in 17/64 (26%), and V. cholerae in 6/64 (9%). However, V. cholerae was isolated only from turtles captured from the Gulf of California (MAI). Among V. parahaemolyticus strains, six O serogroups and eight serovars were identified from which 5/17 (29.4%) belonged to the pathogenic strains (tdh+ gene) and 2/17 (11.7%) had the pandemic clone (tdh+ and toxRS/new+). Among V. cholerae strains, all were identified as non-O1/non-O139, and in 4/6 (66%) the accessory cholera enterotoxin gene (ace) was identified but without virulence gene zot, ctxA, and ctxB. Of the isolated V. parahaemolyticus, V. cholerae, and V. alginolyticus strains, 94.1, 33.4, and 100% demonstrated resistance to at least one commonly prescribed antibiotic (primarily to ampicillin), respectively. In conclusion, the presence of several potential (toxigenic) human pathogens in sea turtles may represent transmission of environmental microbes and a high-risk of food-borne disease. Therefore, based on the fact that it is illegal and unhealthy, we discourage the consumption of sea turtle meat or eggs in northwestern Mexico.

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“…However, haematological methods are the most widely used as indicators of sea turtle health, since they provide information on immune, cellular and humoral factors, which are necessary for the response to adverse factors, through the blood which can indicate pathological changes in the organisms. Therefore, blood parameters are a noninvasive diagnostic tool that can be used to evaluate and monitor the health status of wildlife [33].…”

Section: Biochemical Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, in the case of sea turtles, there is difficulty in defining the blood reference values considered normal parameters due to the variability between sea turtles' geographic areas, ecological habitat, populations, sexual maturity, reproductive status, diet and migration. For this reason, therefore, blood parameters must be established for each species and region [31,33].…”

Section: Biochemical Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rediscovering Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii): Molecular Analysis and Threats

Reyes‐López¹,

Camacho-Sánchez²,

Hart³

et al. 2021

Natural History and Ecology of Mexico and Central America

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Sea turtles are reptiles that have inhabited the earth for 100 million years. These are divided into 2 families (Cheloniidae and Dermochelyidae) and 7 species of sea turtles in the world: the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea); hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata); Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii); olive ridley (L. olivacea); Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta); flatback sea turtle (Natator depressus) and green turtle (Chelonia mydas). In particular, Kemp’s ridley is included in the red list of IUCN categorized as “critically endangered”. The most important site around the Word is in Rancho Nuevo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Where 80–95% of the world’s nesting is concentrated. Other nesting areas are Tepeguajes and Barra del Tordo, in Tamaulipas, and with less intensity in Veracruz (Lechuguillas and El Raudal beaches) and South Padre Island, Texas, USA. They deposit an average of about 90 eggs and hatching takes 40 to 60 days. Therefore, they are vulnerable to different anthropogenic activities and sources of pollution, such as heavy metals, which can cause toxic effects that are harmful to the turtles, damage their physiology and health. To understand the real situation about health and genetic parameters it is necessary to analyze biochemical and molecular factors in this species.

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Trace Elements in Blood of Sea Turtles Lepidochelys olivacea in the Gulf of California, Mexico

Cited by 23 publications

References 28 publications

Blood biochemistry of olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtles foraging in northern Sinaloa, Mexico

Blood biochemistry of olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtles foraging in northern Sinaloa, Mexico

Isolation, characterization, and antibiotic resistance of Vibrio spp. in sea turtles from Northwestern Mexico

Rediscovering Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii): Molecular Analysis and Threats

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