Brevetoxin exposure in sea turtles in south Texas (USA) during Karenia brevis red tide.
Dis Aquat Organ
; 127(2): 145-150, 2018 01 31.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29384484
ABSTRACT
Five green (Chelonia mydas) and 11 Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) sea turtles found dead, or that died soon after stranding, on the southern Texas (USA) coast during 2 Karenia brevis blooms (October 2015, September-October 2016) were tested for exposure to brevetoxins (PbTx). Tissues (liver, kidney) and digesta (stomach and intestinal contents) were analyzed by ELISA. Three green turtles found alive during the 2015 event and 2 Kemp's ridley turtles found alive during the 2016 event exhibited signs of PbTx exposure, including lethargy and/or convulsions of the head and neck. PbTx were detected in 1 or more tissues or digesta in all 16 stranded turtles. Detected PbTx concentrations ranged from 2 to >2000 ng g-1. Necropsy examination and results of PbTx analysis indicated that 10 of the Kemp's ridleys and 2 of the green turtles died from brevetoxicosis via ingestion. This is the first documentation of sea turtle mortality in Texas attributed to brevetoxicosis.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Turtles
/
Mycotoxicosis
/
Oxocins
/
Harmful Algal Bloom
/
Marine Toxins
Limits:
Animals
Country/Region as subject:
America do norte
Language:
En
Journal:
Dis Aquat Organ
Journal subject:
BIOLOGIA
/
MEDICINA VETERINARIA
/
MICROBIOLOGIA
Year:
2018
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States