Sarah E. Hirsch

Chelonid alphaherpesviruses 5 and 6 (ChHV5 and ChHV6) are viruses that affect wild
sea turtle populations. ChHV5 is associated with the neoplastic disease fibropapillomatosis (FP),
which affects green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in panzootic proportions. ChHV6 infection is associated
with lung-eye-trachea disease (LETD), which has only been observed in maricultured sea turtles,
although antibodies to ChHV6 have been detected in free-ranging turtles. To better understand
herpesvirus prevalence and host immunity in various green turtle foraging aggregations in Florida,
USA, our objectives were to compare measures of innate and adaptive immune function in relation
to (1) FP tumor presence and severity, and (2) ChHV5 and ChHV6 infection status. Free-ranging,
juvenile green turtles (N = 45) were captured and examined for external FP tumors in Florida’s Big
Bend, Indian River Lagoon, and LakeWorth Lagoon. Blood samples were collected upon capture
and analyzed for ChHV5 and ChHV6 DNA, antibodies to ChHV5 and ChHV6, in vitro lymphocyte
proliferation using a T-cell mitogen (concanavalin A), and natural killer cell activity. Despite an
overall high FP prevalence (56%), ChHV5 DNA was only observed in one individual, whereas 20% of
turtles tested positive for antibodies to ChHV5. ChHV6 DNA was not observed in any animals and
only one turtle tested positive for ChHV6 antibodies. T-cell proliferation was not significantly related
to FP presence, tumor burden, or ChHV5 seroprevalence; however, lymphocyte proliferation in
response to concanavalin A was decreased in turtles with severe FP (N = 3). Lastly, green turtles with
FP (N = 9) had significantly lower natural killer cell activity compared to FP-free turtles (N = 5). These
results increase our understanding of immune system effects related to FP and provide evidence that
immunosuppression occurs after the onset of FP disease.

The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), a keystone species, is declining throughout its geographic range. Lack of
knowledge with respect to the potential infectious diseases present within wild populations creates a dilemma for wildlife
biologists, conservationists and public policy makers. The objective of this study was to conduct a health assessment of two
previously unstudied gopher tortoise aggregations located at two sites in southeastern FL. Samples were collected from
91 tortoises (48 adults, 35 juveniles, 8 hatchlings) captured at Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic
Institute, in Fort Pierce, FL, USA in 2019, and Loggerhead Park in Juno Beach, FL, USA, during 2018–2019. Samples of blood,
nasal swabs and oral/cloacal swabs were analyzed for hematology, plasma protein electrophoretic profiles and infectious
disease testing including Mycoplasma spp. serology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for Ranavirus, Herpesvirus and
Anaplasma spp. Hematological and plasma protein electrophoresis reference intervals are presented for adult and juvenile
tortoises from both sites combined. Clinical signs consistent with upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) were observed in
18/91 (20%) tortoises, and antibodies to Mycoplasma agassizii were detected in 33/77 (42.9%) tortoises. Adult tortoises were
significantly more likely than juveniles to have URTD clinical signs, and statistically significant, positive relationships were
observed between the presence of antibodies to Mycoplasma spp. and carapace length, packed cell volume and plasma
globulin concentrations. Anaplasma spp. inclusions were observed in 8/82 (10%) tortoises, but PCR detected Anaplasma sp.
in 21/83 (25%) tortoises. Herpesvirus and Ranavirus were not detected in any blood or swab samples. This work contributes
important baseline information on the health of gopher tortoises toward the southern end of the species’ range.

Sea turtles face both anthropogenic and natural threats including boat strikes, fisheries,
pollution, and predator attacks. Injuries from anthropogenic sources are more common than
naturally caused injuries. The goal of this study was to determine prevalence and cause (e.g. boat
strike, entanglement, hook, shark bite) of injuries on nesting loggerhead sea turtles Caretta
caretta on Juno and Jupiter beaches, Florida, USA. During the 2019 and 2020 nesting seasons, 450
loggerhead females were examined for external injuries. Injuries were categorized by anatomic
location, condition, and cause. We found that 24% of loggerheads had at least 1 injury. Of the 111
injuries found on 107 nesting females, 88% were healed, 9% were partially healed with some
scarred tissue, and 3% were fresh injuries. Most injuries (55%) were lateral injuries on the carapace
or appendages. We were able to attribute 60 injuries to a specific cause. Boat strikes
accounted for 75% of the 60 injuries, shark bites accounted for 15%, fishing hooks accounted for
7%, and entanglements accounted for the remaining 3%. This study provides new insight into the
prevalence of anthropogenic injuries relative to natural injuries in loggerhead sea turtles nesting
in the most densely nested beach in the Western Hemisphere and can be used to improve conservation
management plans through implementation of fishing and/or boating restrictions in the
nesting and foraging areas most commonly frequented by sea turtles.