First reports of green turtles Chelonia mydas with fibropapillomas, in Yucatán, México

A. Maldonado-Gasca,; M. Zapata-Rosales

doi:10.37543/oceanides.v22i1-2.35

Authors

A. Maldonado-Gasca,
M. Zapata-Rosales

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37543/oceanides.v22i1-2.35

Keywords:

Chelonia mydas, Yucatan, Fibropapillomatosis, Green Turtle

Abstract

Fibropapillomas are cutaneous tumors that affect the health of marine turtles worldwide. In July 11th of 1998, a juvenile green turtle (Chelonia mydas) with tumors was captured by fishermen in the Sea Turtles Sanctuary of Rio Lagartos, Yucatán. The straight carapace length of this turtle was 44.6 cm, and we found 30 tumors with a size from 1 cm - 10 cm on the back flippers, neck, front flippers and in both eyes. On July 10th, 1999, another juvenile green turtle with fibropapillomatosis was captured by fishermen in the same area. This turtle was smaller (S.C.L. = 40.8 cm) with 5 small tumors (1 cm - 4 cm) on the back flippers and tail. The prevalence of fibropapillomatosis in Yucatan is low (2.4%). Considering the migratory route of this species and the high prevalence of green turtles with fibropapillomas in Florida, USA, we suggest an initial contagion between the populations of
these peninsulas. Those are the first documented reports of green turtles with fibropapillomas in Yucatán, México.

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