Abstract
Eretmochelys imbricata Linneus 1766 was the subject of trade due to egg collection and consumption of the flesh of the females, being the fishery one of the main impacts towards the coastal area. The pathogens are also worrying factors of mortality of sea turtles especially those caused by fungi; these can cause the death of embryos and cutaneous mycoses. This study aimed to investigate the mycoflora isolated from soil, eggshells and stillbirths from E. imbricata in three beaches of Ipojuca (Brazil). We recorded data on the reproductive biology of the species after incubation of nests. Soil samples and fragments of eggshells were collected at the end of the nesting season for fungi identification. A total of eight species of fungi were identified by their morphological characteristics: Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Nigrospora grisea, Fusarium solani, Fusarium lateritium and F. oxysporum in the soil samples, eggshells and stillbirths. Fusarium was recorded in other studies interfering with the development of turtles embryos. The data from this study will provide information to support the management and conservation of sea turtles. Key words: Eggshell, fungi, Fusarium, Hawksbill, testudines.
Highlights
Eretmochelys imbricata Linnaeus 1766, commonly known as the hawksbill turtle, uses the beaches in the Brazilian states of Bahia, Rio Grande do Norte and Sergipe as its main nesting site (Marcovaldi et al, 2011); the breeding occurring in the states of Pernambuco and Paraíba (Mascarenhas et al, 2003; Moura et al, 2012)
Colonies of F. solani were more abundant on eggs, in the soil, and associated with stillbirths
The species identified from Merepe Beach were A. flavus, A. niger, A. terreus and F. solani isolated from soil; F. oxysporum and F. solani were identified on eggs and Stillbirths
Summary
Eretmochelys imbricata Linnaeus 1766, commonly known as the hawksbill turtle, uses the beaches in the Brazilian states of Bahia, Rio Grande do Norte and Sergipe as its main nesting site (Marcovaldi et al, 2011); the breeding occurring in the states of Pernambuco and Paraíba (Mascarenhas et al, 2003; Moura et al, 2012). In spite of its wide distribution, this chelonian is classified as critically endangered in the red list of the International. Union for Conservation of Nature (Marcovaldi et al, 2011)
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