Research Keyword: sea turtle conservation

Fatal Pneumonia Caused by Beauveria bassiana in a Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii, Garman, 1880) on the Portuguese Coast: Case Report and Review of Beauveria spp. Infections in Reptiles

A young Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, one of the world’s most endangered turtle species, was found off the coast of Portugal and brought to a rehabilitation center. Despite intensive care, the turtle died after 11 days due to a severe fungal lung infection caused by Beauveria bassiana, a fungus that normally infects insects. This case highlights how endangered animals in poor health are vulnerable to opportunistic infections and emphasizes the importance of including fungal disease screening in wildlife rehabilitation programs.

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Isolation and molecular identification of pathogens causing sea turtle egg fusariosis in key nesting beaches in Costa Rica

Researchers in Costa Rica discovered that a dangerous fungal disease affecting sea turtle eggs is more widespread than previously known. The disease, called sea turtle egg fusariosis, is caused by two types of fungi that can kill developing turtle embryos. Scientists used advanced genetic testing to identify these fungi at major turtle nesting beaches on both coasts of Costa Rica, finding one fungus present at all locations while another was found only on the Caribbean coast. While the disease is not severely harming Costa Rican sea turtles yet, environmental changes could make it worse in the future.

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Isolation and molecular identification of pathogens causing sea turtle egg fusariosis in key nesting beaches in Costa Rica

Scientists discovered that two harmful fungi, Fusarium falciforme and Fusarium keratoplasticum, are present on sea turtle nesting beaches across Costa Rica. These fungi can infect turtle eggs and cause high mortality rates in developing embryos. The researchers used advanced genetic techniques to accurately identify these pathogens and found them widespread at important nesting sites, highlighting the need for monitoring and protection strategies to prevent this emerging disease from becoming a major threat to sea turtle populations.

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