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Espinoza J, Alfaro-Núñez A, Cedillo-Peláez C, Fernández-Sanz H, Mancini A, Zavala-Norzagaray AA, Ley-Quiñonez CP, López ES, Garcia-Bereguiain MA, Alonso Aguirre A, Reséndiz E. Epidemiology of marine turtle fibropapillomatosis and tumour-associated chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5 (ChHV5; Scutavirus chelonidalpha5) in North-Western Mexico: a scoping review implementing the one health approach. Vet Res Commun 2024:10.1007/s11259-024-10429-6. [PMID: 38922387 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-024-10429-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Fibropapillomatosis (FP) - tumour-associated chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5 (ChHV5; Scutavirus chelonidalpha5) - is a disease that affect marine turtles around the world, and characterized by the formation of cutaneous tumours that can appear anywhere on the body. We carried out a thorough literature search (from 1990 to 2024) in the feeding sites of North-western Mexico, a region that hosts important habitats for feeding, development, and reproduction for five of the seven existing sea turtle species. We found 18 reports recording a total of 32 cases of FP and/or ChHV5/Scutavirus chelonidalpha5 in coastal and insular areas of North-western Mexico. Baja California Sur resulted with the highest number of cases (75%). While the first case of ChHV5/Scutavirus chelonidalpha5 infection was reported in 2004, the presence of FP tumours was reported in 2014 and became more frequent between 2019 and 2024. The affected species were black, Chelonia mydas (50%), olive ridley, Lepidochelys olivacea (46.8%) and loggerhead turtles, Caretta caretta (3.2%). Tumours occurred mainly in anterior flippers (46.1%) and neck (22.5%), and most had a nodular and verrucous appearance with a rough surface. In the study region, there is a potential sign of the emergence of the ChHV5/Scutavirus chelonidalpha5 infections and FP disease during the last 20 years, with a rapid increase during the last 10 years. As long as infections by ChHV5/Scutavirus chelonidalpha5 and the prevalence of the FP disease may be potentially influenced by anthropogenic activities, a One Health approach is needed to understand and improve sea turtles' health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joelly Espinoza
- Posgrado en Ciencias Marinas y Costeras (CIMACO), Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur (UABCS), Carretera al Sur Km 5.5., Apartado Postal 19-B, 23080, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
- Health assessments in sea turtles from B.C.S, La Paz, 23085, Baja California Sur, México
| | - Alonzo Alfaro-Núñez
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Naestved Hospital, Ringstedgade 57a, Naestved, 4700, Denmark.
- Section for Evolutionary Genomics, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, Copenhagen K, 1353, Denmark.
| | - Carlos Cedillo-Peláez
- Laboratorio de Inmunología experimental, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Insurgentes Cuicuilco, Av. Insurgentes Sur 3700, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México, 04530, Mexico
| | - Helena Fernández-Sanz
- Posgrado en Ciencias Marinas y Costeras (CIMACO), Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur (UABCS), Carretera al Sur Km 5.5., Apartado Postal 19-B, 23080, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
- Health assessments in sea turtles from B.C.S, La Paz, 23085, Baja California Sur, México
| | - Agnese Mancini
- Grupo Tortuguero de las Californias A.C, La Paz, 23098, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | - Alan A Zavala-Norzagaray
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral Regional (IPN-CIIDIR), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Cesar Paul Ley-Quiñonez
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral Regional (IPN-CIIDIR), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Erika Santacruz López
- Grupo tortuguero de Bahía de los Ángeles, Bahía de los ángeles, 22980, Baja California, Mexico
| | | | - A Alonso Aguirre
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Warner College of Natural Resources, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Eduardo Reséndiz
- Departamento académico de Ciencia Animal y Conservación del Hábitat, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur (UABCS), Carretera al Sur KM 5.5., Apartado Postal 19-B, La Paz, 23080, Baja California Sur, México
- Asociación Mexicana de Veterinarios de Tortugas A.C, Xalapa, 91050, Veracruz, México
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Valdés-Flores J, Ley-Quiñonez CP, León-Sicairos N, Flores-Villaseñor H, Velázquez-Román J, Angulo-Zamudio U, Zavala-Norzagaray A, Hart CE, Olimón-Andalón V, Leal-Moreno R, Sosa-Cornejo I, Aguirre AA, Canizalez-Román A. Comparison of the blood biochemical values of foraging and nesting Olive Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) from Sinaloa, Mexico. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 198:106491. [PMID: 38657368 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Our study aimed to establish reference values for nesting females and compare them with those previously reported to understand olive ridley turtles' health status and contribute to long-term health assessment and monitoring in foraging and nesting areas from the state of Sinaloa, Mexico. In August and September 2018, morphometric data and biochemical profiles were collected from 33 nesting olive ridley turtles from Ceuta Beach Sanctuary (CBS) and 14 foraging female turtles captured at the foraging site, Navachiste Marine Area (NMA). Nesting turtles sampled had greater CCL (65.86 ± 1.70 cm) than those from the foraging area (61.54 ± 1.22) (p < 0.05). Regarding biochemical profiles, post-nesting turtles had higher packed cell volume (PCV), albumin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), cholesterol, triglycerides, and calcium than turtles from the foraging area (p < 0.05). Phosphorus levels were higher in foraging turtles than in nesting turtles (p = 0.001), while the remaining parameters showed no significant differences. The present study describes for the first time the blood biochemical values of nesting turtles from the Ceuta Beach Sanctuary in southern Sinaloa, Mexico, similar to those of foraging turtles from the north of the state. The significant differences observed between the two analysis groups may be due to the energy reserves and reproductive and nesting activity of the nesting turtles, so the blood biochemistry values described in this study can be used as a standard reference blood value for the olive ridley turtle population of Sinaloa, Mexico.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Valdés-Flores
- Programa Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, 80040, Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | | | - Nidia León-Sicairos
- School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Sinaloa, 80019, Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico; Pediatric Hospital of Sinaloa, 80200, Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - Hector Flores-Villaseñor
- School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Sinaloa, 80019, Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico; The Sinaloa State Public Health Laboratory, Secretariat of Health, 80020, Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - Jorge Velázquez-Román
- School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Sinaloa, 80019, Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - Uriel Angulo-Zamudio
- School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Sinaloa, 80019, Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | | | - Catherine E Hart
- Centro de Investigaciones Oceánicas del Mar de Cortés, Gran Acuario Mazatlán, 82017, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - Vicente Olimón-Andalón
- Programa Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, 80040, Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - Renato Leal-Moreno
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, CIIDIR-SIN, 81049, Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - Ingmar Sosa-Cornejo
- Programa Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, 80040, Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - A Alonso Aguirre
- Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Warner College of Natural Resources, Colorado State University, 80523, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Adrian Canizalez-Román
- School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Sinaloa, 80019, Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico; The Women's Hospital, Secretariat of Health, 80020, Culiacan, Mexico.
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Robben DM, Palaniappan P, Loganathan AL, Subbiah VK. Increased Prevalence and New Evidence of Multi-Species Chelonid Herpesvirus 5 (ChHV5) Infection in the Sea Turtles of Mabul Island, Borneo. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13020290. [PMID: 36670830 PMCID: PMC9854600 DOI: 10.3390/ani13020290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a debilitating tumor disease affecting all species of sea turtles globally. The most probable etiological agent for FP is the chelonid herpesvirus 5 (ChHV5). A 2015-2016 field survey of the sea turtles at Mabul Island, Sabah, Malaysia, found three green turtles (Chelonia mydas) with FP tumors. However, the presence of ChHV5 was confirmed in 7.8% (9/115) green turtles and was absent (0/16) in the hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) turtles, as determined through molecular approaches. Subsequent to this, we managed to conduct field sampling of sea turtles in November 2019, just prior to the pandemic lockdown. Here, we aim to determine the extent of ChHV5 infection, and whether the virus has spread to other species of sea turtles around Mabul Island after the first reports of ChHV5 and FP. A total of 69 tissue samples were obtained from green (63), hawksbill (5), and olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) (1) turtles in November 2019. We observed only one green turtle that exhibited FP tumors. To determine the presence of ChHV5, viral DNA was isolated from all the tissue samples, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis targeting three highly conserved regions of the virus, i.e., the capsid protein gene, glycoprotein H gene, and glycoprotein B gene, was performed. Out of 63 green turtles, 27 were positive for the presence of the virus. The prevalence of ChHV5 in the green turtles showed an increase of 42.9% as compared to the previous sampling conducted in 2015-2016. Additionally, for the first time, three out of the five hawksbill turtles, and one olive ridley turtle, were also PCR-positive for the virus. In conclusion, this study reveals that there has been an increase in ChHV5 infection among turtles in Mabul Island over the last 3 years. ChHV5 should be considered a potential threat, and mitigation efforts should be taken to prevent the spread of infection among the endangered sea turtles of Mabul Island and surrounding islands within the Coral Triangle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dexter Miller Robben
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Malaysia
| | - Pushpa Palaniappan
- Borneo Marine Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Malaysia
| | | | - Vijay Kumar Subbiah
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Malaysia
- Correspondence:
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Cáceres-Farias L, Reséndiz E, Espinoza J, Fernández-Sanz H, Alfaro-Núñez A. Threats and Vulnerabilities for the Globally Distributed Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) Sea Turtle: A Historical and Current Status Evaluation. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12141837. [PMID: 35883384 PMCID: PMC9311662 DOI: 10.3390/ani12141837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) is the most abundant of all seven sea turtles, found across the tropical regions of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans in over 80 different countries all around the globe. Despite being the most common and widely distributed sea turtle, olive ridley populations have been declining substantially for decades. Worldwide, olive ridleys have experienced a 30–50% decline, putting their populations at risk and being considered an Endangered Species by the IUCN. Natural habitat degradation, pollution, bycatch, climate change, predation by humans and animals, infectious diseases and illegal trade are the most notorious threats to explain olive ridley populations rapidly decline. The present review assesses the numerous dangers that the olive ridley turtle has historically faced and currently faces. To preserve olive ridleys, stronger conservation initiatives and strategies must continue to be undertaken. Policies and law enforcement for the protection of natural environments and reduction in the effects of climate change should be implemented worldwide to protect this turtle species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenin Cáceres-Farias
- AquaCEAL Corporation, Urb. Las Palmeras, Ave. Capitán Byron Palacios & General Quisquis, Santo Domingo de los Colorados 230101, Ecuador;
- Grupo de Investigación en Biología y Cultivo de Moluscos, Departamento de Acuicultura, Pesca y Recursos Naturales Renovables, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Bahía de Caráquez, Manabí 131101, Ecuador
| | - Eduardo Reséndiz
- Departamento Académico de Ciencias Marinas y Costeras, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur (UABCS), La Paz 23080, Mexico; (E.R.); (J.E.); (H.F.-S.)
- Health Assessments in Sea Turtles from BCS, La Paz 23085, Mexico
| | - Joelly Espinoza
- Departamento Académico de Ciencias Marinas y Costeras, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur (UABCS), La Paz 23080, Mexico; (E.R.); (J.E.); (H.F.-S.)
- Health Assessments in Sea Turtles from BCS, La Paz 23085, Mexico
| | - Helena Fernández-Sanz
- Departamento Académico de Ciencias Marinas y Costeras, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur (UABCS), La Paz 23080, Mexico; (E.R.); (J.E.); (H.F.-S.)
- Health Assessments in Sea Turtles from BCS, La Paz 23085, Mexico
| | - Alonzo Alfaro-Núñez
- Section for Evolutionary Genomics, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1353 Copenhagen K, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Naestved Hospital, Ringstedgade 57a, 4700 Naestved, Denmark
- Correspondence:
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Escobedo-Bonilla CM, Quiros-Rojas NM, Rudín-Salazar E. Rehabilitation of Marine Turtles and Welfare Improvement by Application of Environmental Enrichment Strategies. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12030282. [PMID: 35158606 PMCID: PMC8833317 DOI: 10.3390/ani12030282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Sea turtles are vital members of the marine ecosystem since they contribute to keeping balance in such environments. Unfortunately, they are endangered species whose absence may be detrimental. Conservation efforts aim to preserve sea turtles both at the population and individual levels. Rescue and rehabilitation aim to reduce individual morbidity and mortality as a result of injuries mainly caused by interactions with humans, in order to preserve their genetic diversity and help maintain and/or increase their population size. Environmental enrichment (EE) is a set of methodologies aimed to improve animal welfare during captivity/rehabilitation. This review presents successful cases of sea turtle environmental enrichment and its applications to improve their welfare in captivity and to increase their fitness prior to release into the wild. EE is a valuable tool that enhances welfare during the captivity and/or rehabilitation of sea turtles and improves their chances of survival and reintegration back into wild populations upon release. EE may be adopted in rescue and rehabilitation facilities around the world to improve individual survival and help boost conservation efforts. Abstract Sea turtles perform various ecological services in several marine environments and are considered architects of the marine landscape. At present, they are endangered species due to anthropogenic threats, pollution and degradation of marine habitats. These impacts make it urgent to increase protection and conservation efforts. Protective actions include the rescue and rehabilitation of injured individuals as a result of their interactions with humans and other threats. Environmental enrichment (EE) is a series of techniques and methods aimed to improve the welfare of animals in captivity and/or under rehabilitation. It uses external stimuli to enhance their psychological and physiological wellbeing to promote natural abilities and behaviors. These may increase the survival chances of rehabilitated animals upon release in the wild. This review presents data of studies where EE has been applied during the rehabilitation processes of different species of sea turtles, and its effect on welfare improvement during captivity/rehabilitation and on survival after release into nature. Technologies such as satellite tags are an important means to determine rehabilitation success and survival of injured individuals from endangered species after release into the wild, as they allow tracking and monitoring of such individuals, and determine their location in areas used by their natural populations for feeding or breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesar Marcial Escobedo-Bonilla
- Laboratory of Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Department of Aquaculture, CIIDIR-Sinaloa, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Guasave C.P. 81101, Mexico
- Correspondence:
| | - Noelia Maria Quiros-Rojas
- Escuela de Medicina y Cirugia Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Sede Atenas, Universidad Tecnica Nacional, Atenas C.P. 20501, Costa Rica;
| | - Esteban Rudín-Salazar
- Centro de Rescate y Rehabilitacion de Animales Marinos (CRRAM), Parque Marino del Pacífico, Puntarenas C.P. 60101, Costa Rica;
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Sea Turtles in the Cancer Risk Landscape: A Global Meta-Analysis of Fibropapillomatosis Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10101295. [PMID: 34684244 PMCID: PMC8540842 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10101295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Several cancer risk factors (exposure to ultraviolet-B, pollution, toxins and pathogens) have been identified for wildlife, to form a “cancer risk landscape.” However, information remains limited on how the spatiotemporal variability of these factors impacts the prevalence of cancer in wildlife. Here, we evaluated the cancer risk landscape at 49 foraging sites of the globally distributed green turtle (Chelonia mydas), a species affected by fibropapillomatosis, by integrating data from a global meta-analysis of 31 publications (1994–2019). Evaluated risk factors included ultraviolet light exposure, eutrophication, toxic phytoplanktonic blooms, sea surface temperature, and the presence of mechanical vectors (parasites and symbiotic species). Prevalence was highest in areas where nutrient concentrations facilitated the emergence of toxic phytoplankton blooms. In contrast, ultraviolet light exposure and the presence of parasitic and/or symbiotic species did not appear to impact disease prevalence. Our results indicate that, to counter outbreaks of fibropapillomatosis, management actions that reduce eutrophication in foraging areas should be implemented.
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Lemos-Espinal JA, Smith GR. A checklist of the amphibians and reptiles of Sinaloa, Mexico with a conservation status summary and comparisons with neighboring states. Zookeys 2020; 931:85-114. [PMID: 36762298 PMCID: PMC9848889 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.931.50922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Sinaloa possesses a rich biota with unique characteristics due to its proximity to the northern deserts, the tropical lowlands of the south, and the temperate environments of the western slopes of the Sierra Madre Occidental in Mexico. However, threats to its environment makes understanding the biological diversity of Sinaloa crucial. A checklist of the amphibians and reptiles has been generated, and the conservation status of Sinaloa's herpetofauna summarized with the aim of understanding the potential conservation or management needs. Sinaloa has 159 species of amphibians and reptiles, including 39 species of amphibians and 120 species of reptiles. The herpetofauna of Sinaloa has relatively few species of conservation concern at a global and national scale (IUCN and SEMARNAT lists), but Environmental Vulnerability Scores suggest that there might be greater conservation concerns for the Sinaloa herpetofauna. Families of particular conservation concern include Craugastoridae, Eleutherodactylidae, Ambystomatidae, Crocodylidae, Dactyloidae, Eublepharidae, Helodermatidae, Iguanidae, Phrynosomatidae, Phyllodactylidae, Colubridae, Natricidae, Viperidae, Cheloniidae, and Dermochelyidae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio A. Lemos-Espinal
- Laboratorio de Ecología-UBIPRO, FES Iztacala UNAM, Avenida los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla,edo. de Mexico, 54090, MexicoNational Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)TlalnepantlaMexico
| | - Geoffrey R. Smith
- Department of Biology, Denison University, Granville, Ohio 43023, USADenison UniversityGranvilleUnited States of America
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