Mercury exposure and health challenges in Rapa Nui green turtles: urging conservation and long-term monitoring in the South Pacific

Conservation Physiology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 13(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

Abstract The endangered green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas; hereafter C. mydas) plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems. However, its populations are highly vulnerable to various threats, including pollution. Rapa Nui (Easter Island), an isolated location southeastern Pacific, provides vital foraging habitats for both morphotypes Pacific mydas (black and yellow). In this study, we examined demographic structure (morphotype, life stage, sex) health status (based on blood analytes mercury-Hg concentration) during 2018 2023. Turtles from stages sexes were observed, with predominance yellow morphotype juveniles, likely recently recruited or emerging brumation. Haematological analyses revealed low levels several key (e.g. cholesterol, calcium, phosphorus, total protein, globulins), suggesting poor nutritional status, potentially related brumation process, limited food availability quality region. Alterations red white cell lines, anaemia lymphopenia, indicate ongoing inflammatory states infections, consistent clinical observations. turtles exhibited some highest Hg concentrations globally. Abnormalities profiles, along correlations between concentrations, suggest altered immune function probable renal liver dysfunction, resulting natural anthropogenic sources heavy metal. Additionally, very high body condition index carapace lesions suggests negative impact human subsidies local bays, particularly high-trophic-level fish, which may also serve as pathway accumulation, aggregation population. Our findings underscore urgent need long-term mercury monitoring movement studies identify pollution sources, inform effective conservation strategies species, address potential public concerns remote island.

Язык: Английский

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Evaluation of Biochemical Parameters in Caretta caretta Sea Turtles

Veterinary Sciences, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 11(11), С. 571 - 571

Опубликована: Ноя. 16, 2024

The

Язык: Английский

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Comparative plasma biochemistry analyte data in nesting leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), foraging green (Chelonia mydas) and foraging and nesting hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) sea turtles in Grenada, West Indies

Conservation Physiology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 12(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2024

Abstract Blood biochemistry represents a minimally invasive tool for monitoring sea turtle health, assessing injured turtles and supporting conservation strategies. In Grenada, West Indies, plasma biochemical variables were examined in 33 nesting leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), 49 foraging green (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) 12 sampled between 2017 2022. Plasma reference intervals are described herein except hawksbills, which represented by descriptive statistics due to the low sample size. Select analyte concentrations positively correlated with curved carapace length leatherbacks (chloride), (total protein, albumin globulin) hawksbills phosphorus). Cholesterol (7.8 mmol/l ± 1.6 SD) triglyceride (6.9 1.9 significantly higher compared turtles, (P < 0.001 all). was = 0.050) 0.050). Foraging demonstrated aspartate transaminase activities than 0.002), 0.009) 0.001). Biochemical results provide baseline population health data support guidance treatments during clinical rehabilitation efforts. They also insight into species-specific physiologic differences preludes further studies better characterize impacts of life-stage class on wild populations Grenada.

Язык: Английский

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Plasma chemistry and hematology of eastern mediterranean sea green turtles undergoing rehabilitation

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 955, С. 176788 - 176788

Опубликована: Окт. 11, 2024

Язык: Английский

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