Prevalensi Dermatitis Ulseratif pada Tukik Lekang yang Dipelihara di Turtle Conservation and Education Centre Serangan

Dermatitis ulseratif adalah penyakit yang paling sering menjangkiti penyu dan/atau tukik yang dipelihara di kolam-kolam penampungan, termasuk di Turtle Conservation and Education Centre (TCEC), Serangan. Penelitian dilakukan untuk mengetahui prevalensi, gambar patologi, dan lokasi jejas dermatitis ulseratif pada tukik lekang yang dipelihara di TCEC Serangan, serta perbedaan indeks kondisi tubuh tukik lekang penderita dermatitis ulseratif dengan tukik yang sehat. Prevalensi diketahui dengan menghitung jumlah tukik lekang penderita yang dibandingkan dengan total tukik di TCEC. Morfometri (straight carapace length, straight carapace width, curved carapace length, curved carapace width) dan berat badan tukik diukur untuk mengetahui indeks kondisi tubuh tukik lalu perbedaan indeks kondisi tubuh dibandingkan dengan Uji - T tidak berpasangan. Sampel jaringan kulit diproses menjadi preparat dan diwarnai dengan pewarnaan rutin Hematoxylin eosin(HE). Hasil penelitian ini yaitu : prevalensi dermatitis ulseratif pada tukik lekang di TCEC adalah 16,2%, ditemukan jejas luka dengan kerak kekuningan berdiameter 2 mm hingga 2 cm dan secara mikroskopis ditemukan infiltrasi heterofil dan sel mononuklear pada dermis kulit yang disertai dengan erosi, hiperkeratosis parakeratosis, dan materi nekrosis yang berisi debris sel. Jejas paling sering ditemukan pada area leher (63,04%), diikuti dengan flippers, kepala, kulit dekat karapas, kelopak mata, dan area leher dan flippers secara bersamaan. Terdapat perbedaan indeks kondisi tubuh yang sangat nyata antara tukik lekang penderita dengan yang sehat, dimana rerata indeks kondisi tubuh tukik penderita lebih besar dari yang sehat. Perlu dilakukan perbaikan manajemen pemeliharaan tukik di TCEC.

Allometry of sexual size dimorphism in turtles: a comparison of mass and length data

BackgroundThe macroevolutionary pattern of Rensch’s Rule (positive allometry of sexual size dimorphism) has had mixed support in turtles. Using the largest carapace length dataset and only large-scale body mass dataset assembled for this group, we determine (a) whether turtles conform to Rensch’s Rule at the order, suborder, and family levels, and (b) whether inferences regarding allometry of sexual size dimorphism differ based on choice of body size metric used for analyses.MethodsWe compiled databases of mean body mass and carapace length for males and females for as many populations and species of turtles as possible. We then determined scaling relationships between males and females for average body mass and straight carapace length using traditional and phylogenetic comparative methods. We also used regression analyses to evalutate sex-specific differences in the variance explained by carapace length on body mass.ResultsUsing traditional (non-phylogenetic) analyses, body mass supports Rensch’s Rule, whereas straight carapace length supports isometry. Using phylogenetic independent contrasts, both body mass and straight carapace length support Rensch’s Rule with strong congruence between metrics. At the family level, support for Rensch’s Rule is more frequent when mass is used and in phylogenetic comparative analyses. Turtles do not differ in slopes of sex-specific mass-to-length regressions and more variance in body size within each sex is explained by mass than by carapace length.DiscussionTurtles display Rensch’s Rule overall and within families of Cryptodires, but not within Pleurodire families. Mass and length are strongly congruent with respect to Rensch’s Rule across turtles, and discrepancies are observed mostly at the family level (the level where Rensch’s Rule is most often evaluated). At macroevolutionary scales, the purported advantages of length measurements over weight are not supported in turtles.

Population structure and allometry of Podocnemis unifilis (Testudines, Podocnemididae) in a protected area upstream Belo Monte dam in Xingu River, Brazil

ABSTRACT Amazon river turtles are increasingly threatened by habitat loss and alteration due to the Brazilian energy policy based on construction of hydroelectric dams, meanwhile, populational studies remain scarce. We described the population structure, and established body allometric relationships of Podocnemis unifilis in the Terra do Meio Ecological Station in the Iriri River, tributary of the Xingu River upstream the Belo Monte dam under construction Turtles were captured by hand net and diving in 2012 and 2013 dry seasons, and 2013 rainy season. A total of 728 males, 296 females and four juveniles were captured. Adult sex ratio was male-biased by 9.15♂:1♀. Females were significantly larger than males. Mean straight carapace length was 268.9 ± 46.7 mm (165 - 403) for females; and 232.7 ± 24.8 mm (167 - 303) for males. The sexes were morphologically distinct in function of a proportionally larger plastron, and higher carapace, on females. Allometric relationships between straight carapace length and other morphometric traits were strong for males (R2 range = 0.87 - 0.96and females (R2 range =0.79 - 0.98. Exploitation of P. unifilis in biomass extirpated from the Middle Xingu River may be estimated from body parts found post-consumption by the presented regressions.

PRIMEROS REGISTROS DE TORTUGAS BLANCAS Chelonia mydas CON FIBROPAPILOMAS, EN YUCATÁN, MÉXICO

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

The morphometrics and colouration of the European pond turtle Emys orbicularis in Lubuskie province (West Poland)

The European pond turtle Emys orbicularis, is an endangered species in Poland. The region of the Ilanka River, in the western part of the country (Lubuskie province), is the most densely inhabited area by the species. Several populous sites are dispersed over the whole area of the province. Over the past 10 years, 279 turtles were captured at 11 sites. In 218 individuals, those with a straight carapace length (SCL) between 2.10–12.10 cm, sex was not determined; the remaining 61 with SCL 13.33–19.85 cm were sexed. Females had bigger bodies and were heavier than males. The SCL of females was 17.10 ± 1.7 cm (average ± SD, n = 33), their body mass (BM) was 790.6 ± 228.7 g (n = 27), and in the case of males SCL was 15.44 ± 1.5 cm and BM was 554.2 ± 138.8 g (n = 28). SCL of the smallest egg laying female was 15.30 cm, and SCL of the smallest mating male was 13.33 cm. The colouration of the turtles which undergoes change with age can be varied.