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This study investigates the spatiotemporal trends of loggerhead turtles along the Croatian Adriatic coast by using stranding data and post-mortem analyses. Information on 620 loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta), collected in the period between 2010 and 2022, has been analysed. Seasonal stranding variations reveal distinct patterns, indicating season-specific abundance and age-specific mortality in different areas, particularly in the key neritic habitat of the northern Adriatic. The analysis identifies four critical areas in the northeast and central Adriatic showing high stranding densities and provides regional managers with a tool with which to effectively conserve and manage this species. Fishing-induced mortality, collision with vessels, and potential cold stunning are identified as major threats to loggerhead turtles. Post-mortem investigations reveal that longline fishing gear and collisions with vessels are significant age-specific mortality contributors, underscoring the need for targeted conservation efforts in high-risk areas. The study acknowledges potential biases in strandings records but highlights the importance of post-mortem investigations in understanding mortality causes. The findings provide valuable insights for improving conservation strategies, emphasizing the importance of focused surveillance and conservation efforts in identified high-risk locations to mitigate human-turtle interactions.

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A mild pneumocoelom was diagnosed by computed tomography in a stranded juvenile loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). After gas extraction by ultrasound-guided puncture, the animal did not improve and was subjected to hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). After HBOT, the turtle developed marked subcutaneous emphysema and was found dead the following morning. Gross lesions included a distended right atrium with numerous gas bubbles within the epicardium, gas bubbles in the hepatic, gastric and mesenteric veins, a small gas-filled bulla in the left lung and diffuse haemorrhages in the encephalon. Histological lesions included gas-like emboli in the lumen of the right atrium with myocardial necrosis, gas-like emboli in the lumina of intestinal, pulmonary and renal blood vessels and severe meningeal haemorrhages. From a forensic pathology perspective, the subcutaneous emphysema of immediate onset after HBOT and the greater severity of the histological lesions in blood vessels, heart, lung and brain differentiate this case from other cases of gas embolism in turtles due to incidental capture. Two factors contributed to this outcome: the existence of a probably unresolved pneumocoelom and the application of HBOT without an initial diagnosis that accurately indicated its use. Therefore, as in human medicine, the use of HBOT in sea turtles with lung lesions and pneumocoelom is discouraged. This is the first description of an iatrogenic gas embolism in a sea turtle.

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Citrobacter freundii, an opportunistic bacterial pathogen belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae, has been sporadically reported in sea turtles. Here, the authors describe 3 unusual lesions associated with C. freundii infection in 3 loggerhead sea turtles stranded on the coast of Gran Canaria Island, Spain. It is possible that these 3 distinct lesions played a major role in the death of these turtles. The first turtle had caseous cholecystitis, a lesion not previously described in sea turtles. The second turtle had large intestinal diverticulitis, a rare condition in loggerheads. The third turtle had bilateral caseous salt gland adenitis. Histologically, numerous gram-negative bacilli were observed at the deepest edge of inflammation in all cases. Pure cultures of C. freundii were obtained from these 3 lesions. Molecular detection of C. freundii DNA in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples from the lesions of the 3 turtles confirmed the microbiological isolation. These cases, in addition to expanding the limited body of knowledge on bacterial infections in sea turtles, highlight the potential pathogenic role of C. freundii in loggerhead turtles.

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The short bibliography referring to the anatomy and pathology of the eyeball of turtles poses a challenge for veterinarians and conservationists given the increasing presence of this type of turtle in veterinary and wildlife centres. Although they nest on land, these animals spend a large part of their lives in the ocean, which entails a series of eye adaptations such as well-developed nictitating membranes, palpebral scales, highly sensitive corneas, or sclerotic rings to protect the eye. In our study, we performed a morphometric analysis of the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) eyeball and its internal structures using advanced imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT). To the best of the authors' knowledge, there have been no studies published that describe the CT intraocular measurements of presumed normal loggerhead turtle eyes.

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Sea turtles can bioaccumulate heavy metals and trace elements over the years, therefore they can be used as bioindicators of pollution in the marine environment. The aim of this study was to analyze seventeen elements in blood and muscle of Caretta caretta from the Canary Islands and compare these concentrations in the two tissues. Thirteen blood samples and six muscle samples were collected from loggerhead turtles admitted to the Rescue Center of La Tahonilla. The samples were processed through microwave digestion and incineration. For the study of the data, a descriptive statistical analysis and a PERMANOVA were performed. All individuals in this study were juveniles (size <70 cm). The results of this study differ from previous studies on loggerhead sea turtles. All the elements analyzed were detected, with Na having the highest concentration in blood (75,379 ± 30,066 mg/kg) and muscle (222,626 ± 156,049 mg/kg). Statistically significant differences were found between the concentration of Al, B, Ba, Ca, Fe, K, Na, Sr, V and Zn in each tissue analyzed. Compared to other studies, a higher Cu concentration was found both in blood (252.9 ± 114.4 mg/kg) and in muscle (416 ± 247.8 mg/kg). This study has provided new data on pollutants in loggerhead sea turtles and increased the information available for different geographic areas, although more studies are needed to understand the effects and impact of these pollutants on sea turtles.

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The ingestion of anthropogenic plastic debris by marine wildlife is widespread in the Mediterranean Sea. The endangered status (in the IUCN Red List) of Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta, Linnaeus, 1758) is a consequence of its vulnerability. In this study, macro-/meso-plastics (5-170 mm) collected from faeces of twelve loggerhead turtles rescued (live) in the Aeolian Archipelago (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy) were analyzed by size, weight, shape, color and polymer type through Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The defecation rate during hospitalization (7-14 days) varied among turtles (from 0.08 to 0.58). The mean number of plastic expulsions (2.7 ± 1.8 items for turtle) was higher during the 5th day of hospitalization (Kruskal-Wallis test, P = 0.01). However, the mean number of plastic-like items defecated during the common days of hospitalization did not vary among turtles (Kruskal-Wallis test, P > 0.05). All turtles were found to have ingested plastic. A total of 114 debris items were recovered from their faeces, 113 of which were identified as plastic. Their color was mostly white-transparent (64.9%) and light (19.3%). Shape was mainly fragments (52.6%), sheets (38.6%), followed by nylon, net-fragments, elastic plastic, foamed plastic and industrial granules (8.8%). Meso-plastics (5-25 mm) represented 72% of the total number of debris and were found more frequently in turtle with Curved Carapace Length (CCL) ≤ 60 cm (CCL = 30-60 cm, n = 5) than those with CCL >60 cm (CCL = 60-71 cm, n = 7). Plastic items were composed mainly of polyethylene (48.2%) and polypropylene (34.2%). Polypropylene (R2 = 0.95, P < 0.001) and polyisoprene (R2 = 0.45, P = 0.017) were more common in meso-plastics while polyethylene (R2 = 0.44, P < 0.01) in macro-plastics. Finally, high-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyamide and polyurethane were also found in some turtles. This study reveals high spreads of plastic contamination in faeces of both turtles with CCL ≤60 cm and CCL >60 cm, particularly vulnerable to the increasing quantity of floating plastic into their foraging sites highlighting the need of further research to associate debris ingestion with turtle diet and their size.

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Identifying coastal tracts suitable for sea turtle reproduction is crucial for sea turtle conservation in a context of fast coastal development and climate change. In contrast to nesting aggregations, diffuse nesting is elusive and assessing nesting levels is challenging. A total of 323 nesting events by the loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta have been reported in Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, in the 1944-2021 period, mostly in the last decade. Specific monitoring efforts are the most likely explanation for such an increase and shows that sea turtle nesting may be underestimated or completely ignored in many areas with scattered nesting. The real nesting level along the 464 km sandy shores of Sicily is still unknown and more research is needed. The observed incubation period was relatively long (57 d) suggesting that a majority of males are produced in Sicily, in contrast to the typical female-biased sex ratio of sea turtles. In a context of climate warming producing sex ratios more skewed towards females, the potential of Sicily as a male-producing area should be further investigated. Other reproductive parameters are provided, such as clutch size and hatching and emergence success. A negative effect of relocation on the latter two was observed.

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This paper evaluated the efficiency of beach hatcheries as a conservation tool for threatened sea turtle clutches. During six nesting seasons (2013 to 2018), several thousand high-risk clutches from loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) were relocated to a hatchery constructed on the same beach, within the Sea Turtle Natural Reserve (STNR, Boa Vista Island, Cabo Verde). Some parameters like hatching success; incubation period, hatchlings' morphology and their behavioral response were compared to in-situ clutches.•Our findings confirmed that the in-situ nests within the STNR had extremely high egg mortality that was usually over 70 %. Mean hatching success of clutches relocated to hatcheries was significantly higher than in-situ clutches with mean values between 70 to 85 % (p < 0.0001).•No significant differences were observed in the incubation period (p = 0.786) and morphology of hatchlings (all p > 0.05) between relocated and in-situ clutches.•This study provided a detailed method and recommendations for sea turtle clutches relocation to the hatchery, that can be beneficial for endangered sea turtle population specially where hatching success is very low.

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This paper reports three recovered species of digeneans from an adult loggerhead sea turtle - Caretta caretta (Testudines, Cheloniidae) in Brazil. These trematodes include Diaschistorchis pandus (Pronocephalidae), Cymatocarpus solearis (Brachycoeliidae) and Rhytidodes gelatinosus (Rhytidodidae) The first two represent new geographic records. A list of helminths reported from the Neotropical region, Gulf of Mexico and USA (Florida) is presented.

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Point 1: Stereo-video camera systems (SVCSs) are a promising tool to remotely measure body size of wild animals without the need for animal handling. Here, we assessed the accuracy of SVCSs for measuring straight carapace length (SCL) of sea turtles. Point 2: To achieve this, we hand captured and measured 63 juvenile, subadult, and adult sea turtles across three species: greens, Chelonia mydas (n = 52); loggerheads, Caretta caretta (n = 8); and Kemp's ridley, Lepidochelys kempii (n = 3) in the waters off Eleuthera, The Bahamas and Crystal River, Florida, USA, between May and November 2019. Upon release, we filmed these individuals with the SVCS. We performed photogrammetric analysis to extract stereo SCL measurements (eSCL), which were then compared to the (manual) capture measurements (mSCL). Point 3: mSCL ranged from 25.9 to 89.2 cm, while eSCL ranged from 24.7 to 91.4 cm. Mean percent bias of eSCL ranged from -0.61% (±0.11 SE) to -4.46% (±0.31 SE) across all species and locations. We statistically analyzed potential drivers of measurement error, including distance of the turtle to the SVCS, turtle angle, image quality, turtle size, capture location, and species. Point 4: Using a linear mixed effects model, we found that the distance between the turtle and the SVCS was the primary factor influencing measurement error. Our research suggests that stereo-video technology enables high-quality measurements of sea turtle body size collected in situ without the need for hand-capturing individuals. This study contributes to the growing knowledge base that SVCS are accurate for body size measurements independent of taxonomic clade.

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Animals with high resting metabolic rates and low drag coefficients typically have fast optimal swim speeds in order to minimise energy costs per unit travel distance. The cruising swim speeds of sea turtles (0.5-0.6 m s-1) are slower than those of seabirds and marine mammals (1-2 m s-1). This study measured the resting metabolic rates and drag coefficients of sea turtles to answer two questions: (1) do turtles swim at the optimal swim speed?; and (2) what factors control the optimal swim speed of turtles? The resting metabolic rates of 13 loggerhead and 12 green turtles were measured; then, the cruising swim speeds of 15 loggerhead and 9 green turtles were measured and their drag coefficients were estimated under natural conditions. The measured cruising swim speeds (0.27-0.50 m s-1) agreed with predicted optimal swim speeds (0.19-0.32 m s-1). The resting metabolic rates of turtles were approximately one-twentieth those of penguins, and the products of the drag coefficient and frontal area of turtles were 8.6 times higher than those of penguins. Therefore, our results suggest that both low resting metabolic rate and high drag coefficient of turtles determine their slow cruising speed.

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Global Streptococcus agalactiae and related pathogen infections are increasing, and place both wildlife species and humans at risk. Notably, Streptococcus agalactiae is now considered to be an emerging and zoonotic pathogen. Mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were generated against bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas, and spotted eagle ray, Aetobatus narinari, IgM, and bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, IgG. Along with a previously generated mAb against loggerhead, Caretta caretta, IgY, these biological reagents were used to compare the sensitivity of relative antibody titers at sample dilutions of 1:200 in buffer to calculated antibody activities against whole cell Streptococcus agalactiae in wild captured individuals. Robust antibody responses were observed in each species, though some individuals differed significantly depending on whether viewed as relative antibody titers at sample dilutions of 1:200 or as antibody activities. The data from this study indicate that calculated antibody activities are more informative than relative antibody titers in determining antibody responses despite being more labor-intensive, expensive, and time consuming. This study provides several novel antibody reagents to the greater community of comparative immunologists, with a particular application to monitoring sentinel species for exposure to new emerging and zoonotic pathogens.

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BACKGROUND: The Spirorchiidae is a family of blood flukes parasitizing turtles. Spirorchiids may cause a wide range of inflammatory reactions in the vascular system of their host being frequently implicated with stranding and death of sea turtles worldwide. Recent studies revealed the presence of two spirorchiid species in the Mediterranean basin. Our study presents comparative epidemiological data of spirorchiid infections in loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) stranded during an eight-year period from Adriatic and Tyrrhenian Seas, and the first report of Neospirorchis Neogen-11 in a green turtle (Chelonia mydas). METHODS: We screened a total of 319 carcasses of loggerhead turtles stranded from January 2011 to December 2018 along the Tyrrhenian coast (n = 111) and the north-western Adriatic coast (n = 208) of Italy using traditional (copromicroscopy and histopathology) and molecular assays. Three green turtles from the Tyrrhenian coast were also included in the study. RESULTS: A total of 56 (17.5%) loggerhead turtles and one green turtle (33.3%) were found to be infected with spirorchiid flukes. Amplification, sequencing of the ITS2 region of the ribosomal RNA gene cluster and BLAST analysis confirmed the presence of Hapalotrema mistroides and Neospirorchis Neogen-11 in 51 (16.0%) and 24 (7.5%) loggerhead turtles, respectively, and Neospirorchis Neogen-11 in an infected green turtle. Differences in prevalence of infection between the two sampling areas were found. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of spirorchiid infection in the Tyrrhenian Sea is lower than in the Adriatic Sea and in general the risk of infection in the Mediterranean is lower than in other geographical locations. Differences in the prevalence of infection between the two sampling areas were related to the differences of regional habitats supporting different abundance of spirorchiid intermediate hosts. A systematic monitoring to evaluate the progress of the infection is recommended, as well as studies on the occurrence and distribution of spirorchiid species from other Mediterranean areas.

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OBJECTIVE: To determine the combined mydriatic effects of topical rocuronium bromide and phenylephrine in juvenile loggerhead turtles and identify any adverse effects associated with treatment. ANIMALS STUDIED: Eleven juvenile loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta). PROCEDURES: Four 20 µL drops of rocuronium bromide and four 20 µL drops of 10% phenylephrine were placed into the right eye at 2-minute intervals of 5 turtles, while the same volume of saline was administered to six control turtles. A pupilometer recorded pupil measurements at rest and following a light stimulus at 2, 15, 30, 60, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 300, and 360 minutes following delivery of the final drop to the ocular surface. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was also measured at similar time points. RESULTS: The nonilluminated and light-stimulated pupillary diameter of the right eye of treated turtles was significantly greater than baseline starting at 120 and 15 minutes, respectively. Light-stimulated pupillary diameter of treated eyes was greater than that of control eyes from time 15 minutes until the end of the treatment period. No systemic side effects were noted over a 24 hours period following treatment and all turtles showed normal behavior and appetite. No mydriasis was noted in either eye at 24 hours and the anterior segment was normal. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of topical ophthalmic rocuronium bromide and 10% phenylephrine is safe and effective for mydriasis in juvenile loggerhead turtles.

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Boat strikes have been widely documented as a major cause of anthropogenic trauma and mortality in sea turtles. Axial trauma in these species involves the head and/or carapace and may cause severe damage to the nervous and pulmonary systems. The aims of this study were to develop an updated protocol for neurologic examinations in sea turtles, to describe computed tomography (CT) findings in sea turtles with sustained trauma, and to associate CT findings with neurologic status in sea turtles with and without traumatic injury. Ten sea turtles were examined, six green (Chelonia mydas) and four loggerhead (Caretta caretta) turtles: seven underwent neurologic and CT examinations, two had CT examinations only, and one had a neurologic examination only. The updated neurologic examination protocol was considered useful in differentiating normal from abnormal neurologic status, however some of these tests remain unreliable in sea turtles. Sea turtles with no history of trauma were found to have normal carapace shape, vertebral column, and neurologic status. Sea turtles with history of traumatic injury (more than 10 years prior to examination) had findings dependent on trauma site. Those with head trauma had variable presentations dependent on location of injury; while those with carapace trauma had varying degrees of kyphosis, lordosis, and scoliosis of the carapace, vertebral fractures, and paraparesis. Kyphosis of the carapace was associated with vertebral fractures detected on CT; however, the severity of vertebral abnormalities was not associated with the severity of neurologic deficits. These findings suggest that a combination of neurologic and CT examination may be beneficial in determining clinical significance of carapace deformation and associated neurologic deficits in sea turtles with traumatic injury.

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Chemical contaminants have been found in the tissues of sea turtles from all over the world; however, very little is known about the effects. Recently, in vitro alternatives to live animal testing have been applied to sea turtles due to their ethical and practical benefits. While primary skin fibroblasts have been established for several species of sea turtle, cells from internal organs are lacking, though they may be more relevant due to the well documented accumulation of contaminants within internal tissues. This study established primary cell cultures from the small intestine, heart, liver, ovary and skin of green turtles (Chelonia mydas). Cells were exposed to ten contaminants typically found in sea turtles to examine potential variations in sensitivity among cells established from different organs. Differences between cells established from different animals were also examined, including a comparison of cells established from a turtle with fibropapillomatosis (FP) and healthy turtles. Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) primary skin cells were also included for species comparisons. Significant differences were found between the organ types, with liver and heart being the least sensitive, and skin being the most sensitive. Overall, variation between the organ types was low. Primary skin fibroblasts may be a suitable and representative cell type for in vitro turtle toxicology research, as it is relatively easy to obtain from healthy live animals. Skin cultures provide a more sensitive indication of effect, and could be used as an early warning of the potential effects of chemical contamination. Some species differences were found but no differences were found between cell cultures from an FP turtle and healthy turtles. When EC50 values were compared to accumulation values from the literature, inorganic contaminants, such as Zn, Cd, Cr, Hg, and Cu were identified as posing a potential risk to sea turtle populations around the world.

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It has been estimated that 44,000 Caretta caretta turtles die every year due to anthropomorphic activity in the Mediterranean Sea, and that longline fishing is one of the most significant causes of mortality. A total of 482 specimens of C. caretta were rescued from different parts of the Sicilian coast (Mediterranean Sea) from 2014 to 2016. The most numerous stranding was recorded during the spring and summer seasons, mainly along the north and eastern coasts of Sicily. The curved carapace length for all the specimens ranged from between 19 and 95 cm and most of these were young or sub adults. The highest number of strandings was recorded in 2014 and 2015, with 206 and 169 individuals, respectively. A total of 66 live specimens out of 239 were successfully rehabilitated and released after surgery or drug therapy; fishing hooks were found in 129 specimens in different parts of the digestive tract with greater frequency in the oesophagus (47.3%) followed by the gut (24.8%), stomach (14.7%), and mouth (13.2%). This paper will highlight the incidence of the incidental catch by longline fishing of C. caretta along the Sicilian coasts and also relate the size of ingested hooks to the size of examined specimens.

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Em um intervalo de quatro anos, a prevalência da fibropapilomatose em tartarugas encalhadas em uma região do nordeste do Brasil compreendida entre o sul de Alagoas e o norte da Bahia foi de 16% em Chelonia mydas, 2% em Caretta caretta e 0,6% em Lepidochelys olivacea. C. mydas acometidas apresentaram biometria média de 0,49m de Comprimento Curvilíneo da Carapaça - CCC. Machos e fêmeas foram igualmente acometidos, numa média de 22%. Pela análise de 1231 registros fotográficos, a média foi de 13 tumores por C. mydas. Nessa espécie 76,77% dos tumores foram registrados na parte anterior do corpo, 17,97% na região posterior, 4,12% na carapaça e plastrão e 1,0% nos globos oculares. Não foram registrados tumores na cavidade oral. C. mydas foram em sua maioria moderadamente afetadas pela doença. L. olivacea acometida apresentou biometria média de 0,69m de CCC. Machos e fêmeas foram atingidas numa média de 1,0%. Os tumores em L. olivacea foram observados na porção anterior e posterior do corpo. Somente um indivíduo do sexo masculino de C. caretta, com biometria de 1,03m de CCC apresentou sinal da doença. A C. caretta apresentava um tumor externo pedunculado na região cervical, de tamanho entre 1,1cm e 4,0cm de diâmetro. As prevalências da fibropapilomatose em Eretmochelys imbricata e Dermochelys coriacea foram de 0,0%. A prevalência da fibropapilomatose em C. mydas segue padrões encontrados para a costa brasileira. No entanto, a doença se manifesta com severidade levemente superior a encontrada no litoral da região sudeste do país.(AU)

In a four-year review, the prevalence of fibropapillomatosis in turtles stranded in the region located in northeast of Brazil encompassing Southern Alagoas and Northern Bahia was 16% in Chelonia mydas, 2% in Caretta caretta and 0.6% in Lepidochelys olivacea. The affected C. mydas presented an average 0.49m Curvilinear Carapace Length - CCL. The disease affected 20% male and female C. mydas. By analyzing 1231 photos, C. mydas presented an average of 13 tumors. Regarding the tumor locations in C. mydas, 76.77% were recorded in the anterior body part, 17.97% in the posterior body region, 4.12% in the carapace and plastron, and 1.0% in the eyeballs. Oral cavity tumors were not found in C. mydas. C. mydas were mostly moderately affected by the disease. Affected L. olivacea presented an average 0.69m CCL. The disease equally affected 1.0% male and female individuals in that specie. Tumors were observed in L. olivacea in the anterior and posterior portion of the body. Only one male C. caretta presenting 1.03m CCL had signs of the disease, presenting one external tumor in the cervical region measuring between 1.1 cm and 4.0 cm in diameter. No prevalence was found for fibropapillomatosis in Eretmochelys imbricata and Dermochelys coriacea (0.0%). The prevalence and distribution of fibropapillomatosis in C. mydas in the study area are similar to the patterns found in the Brazilian Southeastern coast. However, the disease presents a slightly higher severity in relation to those found in the Southeastern coast of the country.(AU)

En un intervalo de cuatro años, la prevalencia de fibropapilomatosis en tortugas encalladas en una región del noreste de Brasil comprendida entre el sur de Alagoas y el norte de Bahia fue de 16% en Chelonia mydas, 2% en Caretta caretta y 0.6% en Lepidochelys olivacea. C. mydas afectadas presentaron biometría media de 0.49m de longitud curvilínea del caparazón - CCC. Machos y hembras fueron igualmente afectados, un promedio de 22%. Mediante el análisis de 1231 registros fotográficos, el promedio fue de 13 tumores en C. mydas. En esa especie 76.77% de los tumores se registraron en la parte delantera del cuerpo, 17.97% en la región posterior, 4.12% en el caparazón y plastrón, 1.0% en los globos oculares. No se registró tumores en la cavidad oral. C. mydas fueron en su mayoría moderadamente afectadas por la enfermedad. L. olivacea afectada presentó biometría media de 0.69m de CCC. Machos y hembras fueron afectados por un promedio de 1.0%. Los tumores en L. olivacea fueron observados en la porción anterior y posterior del cuerpo. Sólo una tortuga del sexo masculino C. caretta, con biometría de 1.03m de CCC mostró signos de la enfermedad. La C. caretta presentaba un tumor externo pedunculado en la región cervical, de tamaño entre 1.1 cm y 4.0 cm de diámetro. Las prevalencias de fibropapilomatosis en Eretmochelys imbricata y Dermochelys coriácea fueron de 0,0%. La prevalencia de fibropapilomatosis en C. mydas sigue patrones encontrados para la costa brasileña. Todavía, la enfermedad se manifiesta con gravedad un poco mayor a las encontradas en el litoral de la región sureste del país.(AU)

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To improve conservation strategies for threatened sea turtles, more knowledge on their ecology, behavior, and how they cope with severe and changing weather conditions is needed. Satellite and animal motion datalogging tags were used to study the inter-nesting behavior of two female loggerhead turtles in the Gulf of Mexico, which regularly has hurricanes and tropical storms during nesting season. We contrast the behavioral patterns and swimming energetics of these two turtles, the first tracked in calm weather and the second tracked before, during and after a tropical storm. Turtle 1 was highly active and swam at the surface or submerged 95% of the time during the entire inter-nesting period, with a high estimated specific oxygen consumption rate (0.95 ml min-1 kg-0.83). Turtle 2 was inactive for most of the first 9 days of the inter-nesting period, during which she rested at the bottom (80% of the time) with low estimated oxygen consumption (0.62 ml min-1 kg-0.83). Midway through the inter-nesting period, turtle 2 encountered a tropical storm and became highly active (swimming 88% of the time during and 95% after the storm). Her oxygen consumption increased significantly to 0.97 ml min-1 kg-0.83 during and 0.98 ml min-1 kg-0.83 after the storm. However, despite the tropical storm, turtle 2 returned to the nesting beach, where she successfully re-nested 75 m from her previous nest. Thus, the tropical storm had a minor effect on this female's individual nesting success, even though the storm caused 90% loss nests at Casey Key.

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Loggerhead turtle is an endangered sea turtle species with a migratory lifestyle and worldwide distribution, experiencing markedly different habitats throughout its lifetime. Environmental conditions, especially food availability and temperature, constrain the acquisition and the use of available energy, thus affecting physiological processes such as growth, maturation, and reproduction. These physiological processes at the population level determine survival, fecundity, and ultimately the population growth rate-a key indicator of the success of conservation efforts. As a first step towards the comprehensive understanding of how environment shapes the physiology and the life cycle of a loggerhead turtle, we constructed a full life cycle model based on the principles of energy acquisition and utilization embedded in the Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) theory. We adapted the standard DEB model using data from published and unpublished sources to obtain parameter estimates and model predictions that could be compared with data. The outcome was a successful mathematical description of ontogeny and life history traits of the loggerhead turtle. Some deviations between the model and the data existed (such as an earlier age at sexual maturity and faster growth of the post-hatchlings), yet probable causes for these deviations were found informative and discussed in great detail. Physiological traits such as the capacity to withstand starvation, trade-offs between reproduction and growth, and changes in the energy budget throughout the ontogeny were inferred from the model. The results offer new insights into physiology and ecology of loggerhead turtle with the potential to lead to novel approaches in conservation of this endangered species.

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