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Title: A comparison of stability in swimming loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) sea turtle posthatchlings.
Creator: Dougherty, Erin., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Posthatchling green (Chelonia mydas) and loggerhead (Caretta caretta) turtles overlap ecologically but differ morphologically. This study compared hydrodynamic stability between the two species during swimming to test for functional differences in body shape. Flipper movement paths, four stability measures (yaw, pitch, heave, and sideslip), and the relative positions of the centers of buoyancy and gravity were compared between species. Both centers of buoyancy and gravity lie in the anterior...
Show morePosthatchling green (Chelonia mydas) and loggerhead (Caretta caretta) turtles overlap ecologically but differ morphologically. This study compared hydrodynamic stability between the two species during swimming to test for functional differences in body shape. Flipper movement paths, four stability measures (yaw, pitch, heave, and sideslip), and the relative positions of the centers of buoyancy and gravity were compared between species. Both centers of buoyancy and gravity lie in the anterior body; their positions relative to one another differed with species, but showed no functional consequences. Neither species demonstrated substantial yaw, sideslip, or pitch. Both experienced upward heave with the flippers' downstroke and downward heave with the upstroke; however phase relationships differed between these limb and body motions. No differences were found between the two species. Despite obvious morphological differences, loggerheads and green turtles were similarly stable during swimming, suggesting that the species use different mechanisms to achieve stability.
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Date Issued: 2009
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/186689
Subject Headings: Sea turtles, Morphology, Sea turtles, Physiology, Animal locomotion, Marine ecology
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Brevetoxin Metabolism and Physiology - A Freshwater Model of Morbidity in Endangered Sea Turtles.
Creator: Cocilova, Courtney Christine, Milton, Sarah L., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: The dinoflagellate Karenia brevis is one organism responsible for harmful algal blooms (HABs) that severely impact marine life. K. brevis produces a suite of neurotoxins referred to as brevetoxins (PbTx) which bind to voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) in excitable tissues, affecting cellular permeability leading to a suite of symptoms and potentially cell death. Brevetoxicosis is difficult to treat in sea turtles as the physiological impacts have not been investigated and the magnitude...
Show moreThe dinoflagellate Karenia brevis is one organism responsible for harmful algal blooms (HABs) that severely impact marine life. K. brevis produces a suite of neurotoxins referred to as brevetoxins (PbTx) which bind to voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) in excitable tissues, affecting cellular permeability leading to a suite of symptoms and potentially cell death. Brevetoxicosis is difficult to treat in sea turtles as the physiological impacts have not been investigated and the magnitude and duration of brevetoxin exposure are generally unknown. Due to their threatened and endangered status, experimental exposures cannot be performed to determine the fate of brevetoxin in sea turtle tissues, making it difficult to design appropriate treatments. The freshwater turtle, Trachemys scripta, was utilized as a model for brevetoxin exposure in turtles. Turtles were exposed to intratracheal instillation (10.53μg/kg) or oral dosing (33.48μg/kg) of PbTx-3 3x weekly over a period of 2-4 weeks. Tissues and fluids were collected for ELISA to determine PbTx-3 uptake and distribution, routes of excretion and rates of clearance (1h-1wk post-exposure). Tissues were also preserved for histopathology. Primary turtle neuronal cell cultures were exposed to PbTx-3 in the presence and absence of various agonists and antagonists to determine brevetoxin’s mode of action. PbTx-3 was widely distributed in all tissues and fluids following both intratracheal and oral exposures, but was largely cleared from the system within 24 hours; PbTx-3 moved into the bile and feces over 48h post exposure indicating that this is the main route of excretion. While exposed animals showed clear behavioral symptoms of toxicity including muscle twitching, swimming in circles, and ataxia, there was no evident tissue pathology. Despite the evident behavioral effects, turtle neurons are surprisingly resistant to PbTx-3, with an EC50 significantly higher than is seen in mammalian neurons. While PbTx-3 exposure resulted in significant Ca2+ influx, various antagonists prevented Ca2+ influx when added with PbTx-3 confirming the mechanism of action through VGSCs. Upregulation of Hsp72 in the turtle brain could be enhancing cell survival. Based on results, intralipid treatment post PbTx-3 exposure rapidly decreases symptoms and proves to be a suitable treatment for toxin exposure.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004812
Subject Headings: Sea turtles--Mortality., Sea turtles--Physiology., Marine toxins., Neurotoxic agents--Analysis.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Developmental Morphology of Flippers in Sea Turtles and Penguins.
Creator: Kwong, Grace W., Wyneken, Jeanette, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: There are no modem anatomical studies of flipper development or particularly any examining limb formation across distantly related taxa converging on similar flipper morphology. This study compares and contrasts the development of flippers in sea turtle (Caretta caretta) and penguin (Spheniscus demersus , Eudyptula minor) embryos. Embryos were fixed, cleared and stained for cartilage anlagen, and prepared as whole mounts. Skeletal elements forming the flipper and changes in their growth rates...
Show moreThere are no modem anatomical studies of flipper development or particularly any examining limb formation across distantly related taxa converging on similar flipper morphology. This study compares and contrasts the development of flippers in sea turtle (Caretta caretta) and penguin (Spheniscus demersus , Eudyptula minor) embryos. Embryos were fixed, cleared and stained for cartilage anlagen, and prepared as whole mounts. Skeletal elements forming the flipper and changes in their growth rates were described across developmental stages. Results suggest skeletal elements contribute differently to sea turtle and penguin flipper blades and there are significant differences in bone shape and growth patterns. Greater proportional increases in lengths and areas were found in sea turtles elements compared to penguins. Sea turtles appear to depend on a pathway resulting in elongation of distal elements to build a flipper, whereas penguin limbs undergo flattening and expansion of fewer elements to meet a similar structural goal.
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Date Issued: 2006
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000784
Subject Headings: Sea turtles--Physiology, Sea turtles--Morphology, Penguins--Morphology, Animal locomotion, Marine ecology
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Specific dynamic action in hatchling and post-hatchling green (Chelonia mydas) and loggerhead (Caretta caretta ) sea turtles.
Creator: Kowalski, Amy, Florida Atlantic University, Milton, Sarah L., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Specific dynamic action (SDA) describes a post-feeding increase in oxygen consumption where most energy derived from food is allocated to post-absorptive processes, including growth and maintenance. SDA and growth in hatchling sea turtles is of special interest because they experience drastic changes in diet, oxygen availability and habitat during the first several months of life. This study investigated SDA variation between species and among age groups. SDA was quantified in two species of...
Show moreSpecific dynamic action (SDA) describes a post-feeding increase in oxygen consumption where most energy derived from food is allocated to post-absorptive processes, including growth and maintenance. SDA and growth in hatchling sea turtles is of special interest because they experience drastic changes in diet, oxygen availability and habitat during the first several months of life. This study investigated SDA variation between species and among age groups. SDA was quantified in two species of sea turtle (Chelonia mydas, Caretta caretta) at 7, 30, 60, & 90 days post-hatching. Turtles were fed a known amount of food, and oxygen consumption was monitored using a metabolic chamber. SDA percentage of total energy did not increase with age (species pooled), although magnitude of SDA was higher in C. mydas when compared to C. caretta (ages pooled). These results imply that SDA does not increase proportionally with age, and that hatchling C. mydas use more absolute energy for SDA than C. caretta .
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Date Issued: 2005
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13283
Subject Headings: Adaptation (Biology), Sea turtles--Feeding and feeds, Physiology, Comparative, Sea turtles--Ecology
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Investigating maternal health and hatchling mortality in leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea v.).
Creator: Perrault, Justin R., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: The reproductive success of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) is typically the lowest of the seven sea turtle species. Why this vital rate is decreased has remained unanswered for nearly a century. Recently, detailed postmortem examination of leatherback hatchlings identified muscular pathologies that suggested possible selenium deficiency. High bodily burdens of mercury compounds are associated with selenium depletion. Selenium is a necessary detoxifying nutrient that itself can be...
Show moreThe reproductive success of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) is typically the lowest of the seven sea turtle species. Why this vital rate is decreased has remained unanswered for nearly a century. Recently, detailed postmortem examination of leatherback hatchlings identified muscular pathologies that suggested possible selenium deficiency. High bodily burdens of mercury compounds are associated with selenium depletion. Selenium is a necessary detoxifying nutrient that itself can be toxic at elevated concentrations. Mercury compounds are toxicants with no known biological function. High bodily concentrations of mercury can be detrimental to marine organismal health, reproduction and survival, both directly and indirectly through inducing selenium depletion. The goals of this dissertation are to evaluate several related hypotheses to explain low leatherback nest success. ... Because leatherbacks take in high volumes of prey, high tissue concentrations of mercury and selenium can result. This study provides the first evidence that chemical contaminants may explain low reproductive success in leatherback sea turtles.
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Date Issued: 2013
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/3362575
Subject Headings: Selenium, Physiological effect, Predation (Biology), Leatherback turtle, Mortality, Sea turtles, Mortality, Wildlife conservation
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Impact of the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta ) on two species of sea turtle hatchlings.
Creator: Krahe, Holly B., Florida Atlantic University, Wetterer, James K.
Abstract/Description: Although the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta ) is known to kill sea turtle hatchlings, little research has focused on sub-lethal effects of ant attacks on hatchlings emerging from nests. Sea turtle hatchlings of two species (Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas) exposed to fire ants during incubation and emergence were collected on Juno Beach, Florida. Hatchlings were maintained for ten days in a common saltwater outdoor pool at the Marinelife Center, Juno Beach. Hatchlings showing...
Show moreAlthough the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta ) is known to kill sea turtle hatchlings, little research has focused on sub-lethal effects of ant attacks on hatchlings emerging from nests. Sea turtle hatchlings of two species (Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas) exposed to fire ants during incubation and emergence were collected on Juno Beach, Florida. Hatchlings were maintained for ten days in a common saltwater outdoor pool at the Marinelife Center, Juno Beach. Hatchlings showing pustules diagnostic of S. invicta stings were compared to non-stung controls in terms of survival, growth (mass and SCL) and initial crawling strength. Loggerhead hatchlings showed a significant decrease in survival, growth, and crawling strength when stung by fire ants. In contrast, no significant differences were seen in the survival, growth, and crawling strength of green turtle hatchlings when stung by fire ants.
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Date Issued: 2005
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13252
Subject Headings: Fire ants--Venom--Physiological effect, Loggerhead turtle--Mortality, Green turtle--Mortality, Sea turtles--Florida
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Nest-to-surf mortality of loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtle hatchlings on Florida’s east coast in 2016.
Creator: Erb, Victoria, Wyneken, Jeanette, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Worldwide, sea turtles are especially vulnerable immediately after emerging from nests. Many monitoring programs measure hatchling production from nest inventories. These inventories rarely account for mortality occurring post-emergence, leaving an incomplete estimate of hatchling production. This study addresses the nest-to-surf data gap for Florida’s east coast nesting assemblages of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). Five locations were surveyed during the 2016 nesting season by...
Show moreWorldwide, sea turtles are especially vulnerable immediately after emerging from nests. Many monitoring programs measure hatchling production from nest inventories. These inventories rarely account for mortality occurring post-emergence, leaving an incomplete estimate of hatchling production. This study addresses the nest-to-surf data gap for Florida’s east coast nesting assemblages of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). Five locations were surveyed during the 2016 nesting season by using infrared time-lapse imagery, night vision optics, and track maps. Over all beaches, 7.6% of the observed hatchlings did not survive to reach the water. Mortality sources varied by location. Observed predators included: foxes, bobcats, yellow-crowned night herons, ghost crabs, and gulls. Hatchling disorientation and misorientation occurred more frequently in urban areas than natural areas. Factors including number of hatchlings emerging, nest-to-surf distance, and urbanization may help managers estimate nest-to-surf mortality. This study will improve life history models that serve as foundations of conservation management.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004934, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004934
Subject Headings: Sea turtles--Mortality--Florida., Loggerhead turtle--Mortality., Predation (Biology), Sea turtles--Orientation., Animal navigation., Fire ants--Venom--Physiological effect.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), BCL-2, and BAX expression in fibropapilloma tumor tissue and skin tissue of sea turtles.
Creator: Bancalari-Schmidlapp, Angela., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: In sea turtles, the study of the etiology and development of fibropapillomatosis is not fully understood. Sea turtle fibropapillomatosis is a disease characterized by the proliferation of skin fibropapillomas and occasional internal fibromas. In this study, sea turtle fibropapilloma tumor and healthy tissue samples were used to look at VEGF, BCL-2 and Bax expression. Cancer tumors have a well established pattern of protein expression that involves overexpression of vascular endothelial growth...
Show moreIn sea turtles, the study of the etiology and development of fibropapillomatosis is not fully understood. Sea turtle fibropapillomatosis is a disease characterized by the proliferation of skin fibropapillomas and occasional internal fibromas. In this study, sea turtle fibropapilloma tumor and healthy tissue samples were used to look at VEGF, BCL-2 and Bax expression. Cancer tumors have a well established pattern of protein expression that involves overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), responsible for the growth of new blood vessels, and a high BCL-2 to Bax ratio that leads to uncontrolled cell proliferation. Real time PCR was used to analyze VEGF expression, and Western blot techniques were used to measure BCL-2 and Bax expression. The results indicated that expression of VEGF was not significantly higher in tumor vs. skin tissue. For the differential expression of BCL-2 and Bax, the results were not in agreement with the established levels found in cancer studies, showing no significant change in BCL-2 expression and significantly higher levels of Bax in tumor vs. healthy tissue.
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Date Issued: 2009
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/209981
Subject Headings: Sea turtles, Physiology, Cancer, Pathophysiology, Vascular endothelial growth factors, Pathophysiology, Cellular signal transduction
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A comparison of the ontogeny of energy consumption in leatherback, Dermochelys coriacea and olive ridley, Lepidochelys olivacea sea turtle hatchlings.
Creator: Jones, T. Todd, Florida Atlantic University, Lutz, Peter L., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Changes in activity related oxygen consumption and energy partitioning were measured in leatherback and olive ridley sea turtle hatchlings over their first month after nest emergence. Leatherbacks emerge with about 75--90 KJ of energy in the residual yolk at their disposal for growth and movement. In comparison, the residual yolk energy reserves for the olive ridley are estimated to be much less (45 KJ). In leatherbacks resting specific oxygen consumption rates decreased by 53% over the first...
Show moreChanges in activity related oxygen consumption and energy partitioning were measured in leatherback and olive ridley sea turtle hatchlings over their first month after nest emergence. Leatherbacks emerge with about 75--90 KJ of energy in the residual yolk at their disposal for growth and movement. In comparison, the residual yolk energy reserves for the olive ridley are estimated to be much less (45 KJ). In leatherbacks resting specific oxygen consumption rates decreased by 53% over the first post-hatching month (0.0065 ml O2 min-1 g-1--0.0031 ml O2 min-1 g-1), while for ridleys the fall was 32% (0.0038 ml O2 min-1 g-1--0.0026 ml O2 min-1 g-1). Greater differences were seen in aerobic scope. For olive ridleys the factorial aerobic scope doubled over the first month but there was no significant increase in the leatherback's factorial aerobic scope. Leatherback hatchlings gained on average 33% body mass (10 g) over the first week however 70 to 80% of this increase was due to water accumulation. The differences in aerobic scope and energy reserves are related to differences in early life ecological stratagems of these species.
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Date Issued: 2004
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13139
Subject Headings: Sea turtles--Ecology, Animal behavior, Ontogeny, Developmental biology, Adaptation (Physiology), Ecophysiology
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Fire ants on sea turtle nesting beaches in South Florida, USA, and ST. Croix, USVI.
Creator: Romais, Danielle K., Wetterer, James K., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, is a South American native introduced in Alabama in the early 20th century. This predatory species has rapidly spread throughout the southeastern US and parts of the West Indies, inflicting great ecological and economic damage. For example, Solenopsis invicta is known to attack the eggs and hatchlings of ground nesting birds and reptiles. The ants swarm into the nests attacking hatchlings and diminishing their chance for survival. My thesis...
Show moreThe red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, is a South American native introduced in Alabama in the early 20th century. This predatory species has rapidly spread throughout the southeastern US and parts of the West Indies, inflicting great ecological and economic damage. For example, Solenopsis invicta is known to attack the eggs and hatchlings of ground nesting birds and reptiles. The ants swarm into the nests attacking hatchlings and diminishing their chance for survival. My thesis research aimed to survey the distribution of ants on sea turtle nesting beaches in South Florida and St. Croix, USVI, and to evaluate the possible threat of Solenopsis invicta and other predatory ants to sea turtle hatchlings.
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Date Issued: 2013
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA0004052
Subject Headings: Biological invasions, Fire ants -- Venom -- Physiological effect, Predation (Biology), Sea turtles -- Florida -- Mortality, Sea turtles -- St. Croix -- Mortality, Wildlife conservation -- Florida, Wildlife conservation -- St. Croix
Format: Document (PDF)

Predation (Biology) (3)	+ -
Sea turtles (3)	+ -
Animal locomotion (2)	+ -
Marine ecology (2)	+ -
Physiology (2)	+ -

Sea turtles--Ecology (2)	+ -
Adaptation (Biology) (1)	+ -
Adaptation (Physiology) (1)	+ -
Animal behavior (1)	+ -
Animal navigation. (1)	+ -
Biological invasions (1)	+ -
Cancer (1)	+ -
Cellular signal transduction (1)	+ -
Developmental biology (1)	+ -
Ecophysiology (1)	+ -
Fire ants -- Venom -- Physiological effect (1)	+ -
Fire ants--Venom--Physiological effect (1)	+ -
Fire ants--Venom--Physiological effect. (1)	+ -
Green turtle--Mortality (1)	+ -
Leatherback turtle (1)	+ -
Loggerhead turtle--Mortality (1)	+ -
Loggerhead turtle--Mortality. (1)	+ -
Marine toxins. (1)	+ -
Morphology (1)	+ -
Mortality (1)	+ -
Neurotoxic agents--Analysis. (1)	+ -
Ontogeny (1)	+ -
Pathophysiology (1)	+ -
Penguins--Morphology (1)	+ -
Physiological effect (1)	+ -

Charles E. Schmidt College of Science (9)	+ -
Department of Biological Sciences (9)	+ -
Florida Atlantic University (6)	+ -
Milton, Sarah L. (2)	+ -
Wetterer, James K. (2)	+ -

Wyneken, Jeanette (2)	+ -
Bancalari-Schmidlapp, Angela. (1)	+ -
Cocilova, Courtney Christine (1)	+ -
Dougherty, Erin. (1)	+ -
Erb, Victoria (1)	+ -
Jones, T. Todd (1)	+ -
Kowalski, Amy (1)	+ -
Krahe, Holly B. (1)	+ -
Kwong, Grace W. (1)	+ -
Lutz, Peter L. (1)	+ -
Perrault, Justin R. (1)	+ -
Romais, Danielle K. (1)	+ -

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