Brevetoxin exposure in sea turtles in south Texas (USA) during Karenia brevis red tide

Diseases of Aquatic Organisms

Jennifer Shelby Walker¹ 

关键词: Harmful algal bloom;    HAB;    Chelonian;    Kemp’    s ridley sea turtle;    Lepidochelys kempii;    Green sea turtle;    Chelonia mydas;   

DOI  :  10.3354/dao03194

学科分类：生物科学（综合）

来源: Inter-Research

【 摘 要 】

ABSTRACT: Five green (Chelonia mydas) and 11 Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) sea turtles found dead, or that died soon after stranding, on the southern Texas (USA) coast during 2 Karenia brevis blooms (October 2015, September-October 2016) were tested for exposure to brevetoxins (PbTx). Tissues (liver, kidney) and digesta (stomach and intestinal contents) were analyzed by ELISA. Three green turtles found alive during the 2015 event and 2 Kemp’s ridley turtles found alive during the 2016 event exhibited signs of PbTx exposure, including lethargy and/or convulsions of the head and neck. PbTx were detected in 1 or more tissues or digesta in all 16 stranded turtles. Detected PbTx concentrations ranged from 2 to >2000 ng g-1. Necropsy examination and results of PbTx analysis indicated that 10 of the Kemp’s ridleys and 2 of the green turtles died from brevetoxicosis via ingestion. This is the first documentation of sea turtle mortality in Texas attributed to brevetoxicosis.

【 授权许可】

Unknown