Biological and ecological traits rather than geography control mercury (Hg) in scutes of marine turtles from the Southwest Atlantic.

The use of sentinel species in monitoring programs for toxic metals such as mercury (Hg) is essential to understand these pollutants' impact on the environment. For this purpose, it is essential to use organisms that have a lifespan compatible with the residence time of Hg in the oceans, and preferably with a wide geographical distribution, such as sea turtles. Here, we assess the regional variability of Hg concentrations using carapace scutes of four sea turtle species along the foraging and spawning area in the northeast coastline of Brazil. Mercury concentrations in samples showed no relationship with the environmental Hg levels (obtained from literature). Rather, Hg concentrations varied according to species-specific biological, and ecological traits. Characteristics such as the ontogenetic shift in the diet of Chelonia mydas, capital breeding in females, depth of foraging in oceanic waters, and selectivity of food items, such as in Eretmochelys imbricata, significantly influenced Hg concentrations.

Integrating morphological, molecular and cytogenetic data for F2 sea turtle hybrids diagnosis revealed balanced chromosomal sets.

Hybridization could be considered part of the evolutionary history of many species. The hybridization among sea turtle species on the Brazilian coast is atypical and occurs where nesting areas and reproductive seasons overlap. Integrated analysis of morphology and genetics is still scarce, and there is no evidence of the parental chromosome set distribution in sea turtle interspecific hybrids. In this study, chromosome markers previously established for pure sea turtle species were combined with morphological and molecular analyses aiming to recognize genetic composition and chromosome sets in possible interspecific hybrids initially identified by mixed morphology. The data showed that one hybrid could be an F2 individual among Caretta caretta × Eretmochelys imbricata × Chelonia mydas, and another is resulting from backcross between C. caretta × Lepidochelys olivacea. Native alleles of different parental lineages were reported in the hybrids, and, despite this, it was verified that the hybrid chromosome sets were still balanced. Thus, how sea turtle hybridism can affect genetic features in the long term is a concern, as the implications of the crossing-over in hybrid chromosomal sets and the effects on genetic function are still unpredictable.

First report of Caryospora sp. infection in free-living green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in Northeastern Brazil.

Infection by Caryospora cheloniae has been reported to be responsible for green turtle strandings with high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. Although studies have already shown the pathogenesis of these infections, many aspects of this protozoan are still poorly understood, including their life cycle and infection dynamics in free-living sea turtle populations. Due to the lack of information about the infection by this protozoan in sea turtles in Northeastern Brazil, our study aims to describe Caryospora sp. infection and its pathological findings in free-living Chelonia mydas found on the north coast of the Bahia state. Between 2018 and 2019, 64 specimens of green turtles were necropsied in partnership with Fundação Projeto Tamar; among these, 10 (1.56%) had oocysts morphologically compatible with Caryospora cheloniae in the evaluation of fecal samples and histopathological examination of intestinal samples. The infected animals were juvenile green turtles that were found stranded on the beaches of the north coast of Bahia. The pathological findings were restricted to the lower gastrointestinal tract, with different presentations and intensities. About 70% of the animals with coccidial infection exhibited erosive and ulcerative fibrinous enteritis. This is the first report of coccidiosis in green turtles on the north coast of Bahia.

Ocular ultrasonography of sea turtles.

BACKGROUND: Environmental changes contribute to the development of ophthalmic diseases in sea turtles, but information on their eye biometrics is scarce. The aim of this study was to describe ophthalmic ultrasonographic features of four different sea turtle species; Caretta caretta (Loggerhead turtle; n = 10), Chelonia mydas (Green turtle; n = 8), Eretmochelys imbricata (Hawksbill turtle; n = 8) and Lepidochelys olivacea (Olive ridley; n = 6) under human care. Corneal thickness, scleral ossicle width and thickness, anterior chamber depth, axial length of the lens, vitreous chamber depth and axial globe length were measured by B-mode sonography with a linear transducer. Carapace size and animal weight were recorded. A sonographic description of the eye structures was established. RESULTS: The four species presented an ovate eyeball, a relatively thin cornea, and a small-sized lens positioned rostrally in the eye bulb, near the cornea, resulting in a shallow anterior chamber. The scleral ossicles did not prevent the evaluation of intraocular structures, even with a rotated eye or closed eyelids; image formation beyond the ossicles and measurements of all proposed structures were possible. B-mode sonography was easily performed in all animals studied. The sonographic characteristics of the eye were similar among the four species. Since there was a correlation between the size of the eye structures and the size of the individual, especially its carapace size, the differences found between E. imbricata and Caretta caretta are believed to be due to their overall difference in size. CONCLUSIONS: Sonography is a valuable tool in ophthalmic evaluation of these species. Only minor differences were found between the species in this study, reinforcing their phylogenetic proximity and their similar functions and habitats.

Ingestão de resíduos antropogênicos por tartarugas marinhas no litoral norte do estado da Bahia, Brasil / Anthropogenic debris ingestion by sea turtles in the northern coast of Bahia, Brazil

Este trabalho descreve a presença de resíduos antropogênicos no trato digestório de tartarugas marinhas no Litoral Norte da Bahia, Brasil. Foram realizadas necropsias no trato digestório de 45 tartarugas marinhas encontradas mortas (Chelonia mydas n=36; Eretmochelys imbricata n=9), no período de janeiro de 2006 a outubro de 2007. Em 60 por cento (27/45) das tartarugas necropsiadas foram encontrados resíduos, especialmente aqueles relacionados à atividade de pesca. Os resíduos encontravam-se ao longo de todo o trato gastrointestinal, com predominância no intestino grosso. A ingestão de resíduos pelas tartarugas marinhas do Litoral Norte da Bahia pode levar a debilidade e até mesmo provocar a morte destes animais.

This study investigates the presence of anthropogenic debris in the digestive tract of sea turtles in the Northern Coast of Bahia, Brazil. Necropsies were performed on 45 turtles, 36 green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and 9 hawksbills (Eretmochelys imbricata), found dead between january 2006 and october 2007. Debris was found in 60 percent of the animals, especially those related to fishing activities. Litter could be found throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract, but it was found predominantly in the large intestine (47.53 percent). The ingestion of debris by turtles from the Northern coast of Bahia may lead these animals to starvation, weakness and even death.

Hemograma e bioquímica sérica de tartarugas cabeçudas (Caretta caretta) de vida livre e mantidas em cativeiro, no litoral norte da Bahia / Hemogram and serum biochemistry of free-ranging and captive loggerhead sea turtles (caretta caretta), from north coast of Bahia, Brazil

Com o objetivo de se obter dados que auxiliem na rotina clínica de tartarugas marinhas, realizou-se o hemograma e a determinação de alguns parâmetros bioquímicos séricos de fêmeas de tartarugas cabeçudas (Caretta caretta) de vida livre (n = 22), animais que desovam no Litoral Norte da Bahia, e em cativeiro (n = 5), animais mantidos no Centro de Visitantes do Projeto Tamar-ICMBio, na Praia do Forte, Brasil. Os valores obtidos para os dois grupos foram comparados, onde se observou diferença estatística significativa (p<0,05) para as contagens relativas e absolutas de eosinófilos e contagem relativa de monócitos dentre as variáveis do hemograma e, para a proteína total, globulina, glicose, colesterol e aspartato aminotransferase. Possivelmente, diferenças nas condições ambientais, nutricionais e reprodutivas, as quais estes animais foram submetidos, influenciaram nos resultados.

The aim of this study was to improve the clinical evaluation in sea turtles by analyzing the hemogram and serum biochemistry in female logger head sea turtles (Caretta caretta), free-ranging (n=22) nesting in the north coast of Bahia and in the animals captivity (n=5) in the visitor center of the Projeto Tamar-ICMBio, in Praia do Forte, Bahia, Brazil. The values obtained were compared between the two groups and it was observed that there was statistically significant difference(p<0,05) for the relative and absolute eosinophil count, relative monocyte count, total serum protein, globulin, glucose, cholesterol and aspartate aminotransferase. The results variation is probably related to the differences in environmental, nutritional and reproductive conditions

Eletroforese de proteínas séricas de tartarugas cabeçudas (Caretta caretta) de vida livre e mantidas em cativeiro no litoral norte da Bahia / Serum protein electrophoresis of free-ranging and captive loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), from north coast of Bahia, Brazil

Este trabalho objetivou a determinação e comparação do perfil eletroforético das proteínas séricas de tartarugas cabeçudas (Carettacaretta), fêmeas, de vida livre (n=20) que desovam no Litoral Norte da Bahia e daquelas mantidas em cativeiro (n=5) no Centro de Visitantes do Projeto Tamar-Ibama da Praia do Forte, Bahia, Brasil. Os valores obtidos para os animais de vida livre para as variáveis foram: proteína total de 3,84±0,56g/dL, albumina 1,39±0,30g/dL, alfa-1 e alfa-2 globulina 0,34±0,09g/dL e 0,42±0,22g/dL, beta globulina0,57±0,26g/dL e gama globulina 1,16±0,30g/dL, e relação A:G de0,58±0,16. Para os animais cativos estes valores foram de: proteína total 4,98±1,31g/dL, albumina 1,64±0,55g/dL, enquanto que para as frações alfa-1, alfa-2, beta e gama globulinas de 0,39±0,24g/dL,0,68±0,44g/dL, 0,68±0,13g/dL e 1,59±0,31g/dL, respectivamente;e para a relação A:G de 0,49±0,08. Avaliando os resultadosobservaram-se diferenças estatísticas significativas (p<0,05) para osvalores de proteína total onde os animais de cativeiro apresentaramníveis mais elevados...

The purpose of this study was to determine and to compare the serum protein electrophoresis profile in female loggerhead sea turtles(Caretta caretta), free-ranging (n=20) nesting in the north coast of Bahia and in the animals kept in captivity (n=5) in the visitor center of the Projeto Tamar-Ibama, in Praia do Forte, Bahia, Brazil. The values obtained for the free-ranging turtles were: total protein 3,84±0,56g/dL, albumin 1,39±0,30g/dL, alfa-1 and alfa-2 globulin 0,34±0,09g/dL and 0,42±0,22g/dL, beta globulin 0,57±0,26g/dL,and gama globulin 1,16±0,30g/dL, and A:G ratio 0,58±0,16, while for the captives ones these values were: total protein 4,98±1,31g/dL, albumin 1,64±0,55g/dL, alfa-1, alfa-2, beta and gama globulin 0,39±0,24g/dL, 0,68±0,44g/dL, 0,68±0,13g/dL and 1,59±0,31g/dL, respectively; A:G ratio 0,49±0,08. The total protein values were significantly higher (p<0,05)...

Hemograma e determinação da proteína plasmática total de tartarugas marinhas da espécie Caretta caretta (Linnaeus, 1758), criadas em cativeiro, Praia do Forte, Município de Mata de São João – Bahia / Hematologic examination and total protein values of sea turtles of species Caretta caretta (Linnaeus, 1758), in captivity, from Praia do Forte, Mata de São João - Bahia

Com objetivo de obter valores dos parâmetros do hemograma e de proteína plasmática total, de tartarugas marinhas da espécie Caretta caretta criadas em cativeiro, foram coletados cinco mililitros de sangue através de venopunção do seio venoso cervical dorsal de oito animais daquela espécie, utilizando como anticoagulante a heparina de sódio. Os achados hematológicos mostraram valores médios de eritrócitos de 275.000/μl (±28.030,59), volume globular de 33,12% (±2,35), concentração de hemoglobina de 8,65 g/dl (±0,80), enquanto que os índices hematimétricos encontrados foram de 725 fl (± 131,99) para volume globular médio (VGM), 198,18 pg (± 38,66) para hemoglobina globular média (HGM) e de 26,10% (± 1,21) para concentração de hemoglobina globular média (CHGM). No leucograma a média do número total de leucócitos foi de 3.656/μl(±963,04), e os valores médios relativos da contagem diferencial de leucócitos foram de 59,38% (±16.27) para heterófilos, 10,38% (±6,32)para eosinófilos, 0,13% (±0.35) para basófilos, 29,25% (±17,12) para linfócitos e 0,88% (±2,10) para monócitos, sendo os valores absolutos de 2.156,87/μl (±703,49); 366,88/μl (±216,44); 2,50/μl (±7,07);1.110,94/μl (±783,61) e 19,06/μl (± 42,34), respectivamente. O valor médio de trombócitos encontrado foi igual a 10.968,13/μl (±3.109,19)e a determinação de proteína total teve uma média de 6,5 g/dl (±0,83). Das variáveis analisadas, a contagem de eritrócitos, o volume globular médio, a hemoglobina globular média e as contagens total e diferencial de leucócitos apresentaram valores diferentes para a espécie em questão, quando comparadas com a literatura consultada.

With the purpose in obtaining measurable parameters of hematologic examination and total protein test values of eight sea turtles of species Caretta caretta in captivity, 5mL of blood were collected from dorsal cervical sinus using heparin as anticoagulant. The results showed average amounts of erythrocytes of 275.000/μl (±28.030,59), packed cell volume of 33,12% (±2,35), hemoglobin concentration of 8,65g/dl (±0,80), while the erythrocytic indexes were 725 fl (± 131,99) for mean corpuscular volume (MCV), 198,18 pg (± 38,66) for mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and 26,10% (± 1,21) for mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). The leukocyte response showed an average of WBC counting of 3.656/μl (±963,04), and the average numbers relating to the leukocyte count were 59,38%(±16.27) for heterophils, 10,38% (±6,32) for eosinophils, 0,13%(±0.35) for basophils, 29,25% (±17,12) for lymphocytes and 0,88%(±2,10) for monocytes, being those absolute values of 2.156,87/μl(±703,49); 366,88/μl (±216,44); 2,50/μl (±7,07); 1.110,94/μl(±783,61) e 19,06/μl (± 42,34), respectively. The average amount of trombocytes found equaled 10.968,13/μl (±3.109,19) and the total protein finding of an average 6,5 g/dl (±0,83). Of all variables analyzed, the erythrocytes count, the mean corpuscular volume, the mean corpuscular hemoglobin and all leukocyte counts presented different values for the relevant species when compared to published literature.