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Pathological Findings in Leatherback Sea Turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) During an Unusual Mortality Event in São Paulo, Brazil, in 2016.
- Source :
-
Journal of comparative pathology [J Comp Pathol] 2020 Jul; Vol. 178, pp. 50-55. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Aug 01. - Publication Year :
- 2020
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Abstract
- The leatherback sea turtle (LST; Dermochelys coriacea) is highly migratory and is primarily distributed throughout tropical and subtropical regions. The LST populations found in Brazil are critically endangered. An unusual mortality event occurred between August and November 2016 with 23 LSTs stranded along a 100 km coastal segment in Iguape, Ilha Comprida and Ilha do Cardoso in southern São Paulo state. This study investigated the pathological findings and most likely causes of death of 10 LSTs. Male (n = 9) and adult (n = 9) animals predominated. All but one animal was in good body condition and all were found dead. The most prevalent gross findings were suggestive of bycatch, namely cutaneous erosions, abrasions and/or lacerations around the neck and flippers (n = 9), generalized congestion (n = 8) and pulmonary oedema (n = 6). Other prevalent gross findings were: cutaneous epibiosis by Stomatolepas elegans (n = 7); ileocecal diverticulitis (n = 7); distal oesophagitis (n = 5); and fibrinous coelomitis (n = 5). Microscopically, the most prevalent findings were: hepatic melanomacrophage centre hypertrophy or hyperplasia (n = 9); interstitial pneumonia (n = 8); multisystemic congestion (n = 6); pulmonary oedema with or without aspirated material (n = 5); adrenal coccidiosis (n = 5) with variable multiorgan involvement; and multiorgan bacterial disease (n = 5). Five animals had food ingesta (cnidarians, crustaceans) in the oesophagus or stomach; only one had evident plastic foreign bodies. Asphyxia due to entanglement in nets was the most frequently identified cause of death (n = 8); a cause of death was not identified in two animals. Our findings provide evidence of the severe negative impact of entanglement in fishing nets in LSTs, raising concerns for conservation. These findings also contribute to knowledge of the pathology of LSTs in South American populations.<br />Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest Statement The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship or publication of this article.<br /> (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
- Subjects :
- Adrenal Glands parasitology
Adrenal Glands pathology
Animals
Animals, Wild
Aquatic Organisms
Asphyxia
Bacterial Infections pathology
Bacterial Infections veterinary
Brazil
Coccidiosis pathology
Coccidiosis veterinary
Conservation of Natural Resources
Crustacea
Ectoparasitic Infestations veterinary
Endangered Species
Female
Liver pathology
Lung pathology
Male
Mortality
Neck pathology
Skin parasitology
Skin pathology
Turtles abnormalities
Turtles microbiology
Turtles parasitology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1532-3129
- Volume :
- 178
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of comparative pathology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 32800109
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcpa.2020.06.008