Sea Turtle Egg Fusariosis (STEF): a possible threat to species of sea turtle in Colombia
Valeri Saenz1*, Andrés Felipe Lizcano-Salas1*, Karen Pabón2, Aminta Jáuregui2, Susana Caballero3, Adriana Marcela Celis Ramírez1#
1Grupo de Investigación Celular y Molecular de Microorganismos Patógenos (CeMoP) Biological Sciences Department, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia; 2 Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano. Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, El Rodadero, Santa Marta, Colombia; 3Laboratorio de Ecología Molecular de Vertebrados Acuáticos (LEMVA), Biological Sciences Department, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
Abstract
Sea turtle egg fusariosis (STEF) has recently emerged as a fungal disease that is thought to be a significant factor contributing to the global decline in sea turtle populations. The purpose of this study is to ascertain whether Neocosmospora and Fusarium are present on nesting beaches, tourist beaches, and eggshells of Dermochelys coriacea and Caretta caretta at Colombia’s Caribbean coast and of Lepidochelys olivacea on the Pacific Coast. This study obtained 136 isolates displaying fusarioid morphological characteristics for analysis. Molecular identification of these isolates was carried out using the Tef-1α gene marker and through phylogenetic analysis. The most isolated species found were Neocosmospora keratoplastica and N. falciformis, which pose a serious threat to Colombia’s sea turtle conservation efforts. Finding these species linked to human illness also acts as a caution to look into STEF using an interdisciplinary One health approach.
Open Access
Cite this article:
Saenz V, Lizcano-Salas AF, Pabón K, Jáuregui A, Caballero S, Celis Ramírez AM 2024 Sea Turtle Egg Fusariosis (STEF): a possible threat to species of sea turtle in Colombia One Health Mycology 1(2), 79-90
ISSN: 3050-4627
doi.org/10.63049/OHM.24.12.3
Keywords: One Health; Sea Turtle Egg Fusariosis; Neocosmospora; Fusarium; fusarioid; fungal infection
Article highlights:
- Sea turtle egg fusariosis (STEF), mainly caused by Neocosmospora, poses significant risks to sea turtle (loggerhead, olive ridley, and leatherback) populations in Colombia.
- Understanding the etiology and impact of STEF through a One Health approach is crucial for protecting these endangered species.
#Correspondence: acelis@uniandes.edu.co
Article info:
Received 10 December 2024
Revised 14 January 2025
Accepted 17 January 2025
Appeared online 25 January 2025
One Health Mycology 1(2): 79−90, 2024