Immunological competence in the green turtle and its relationship to the development of fibropapilloma disease

Abstract

Fibropapillomatosis (FP) remains a growing threat to the survival of sea turtles inFlorida and other locations worldwide. FP has seriously affected green turtle,Chelonia mydas, populations in Florida and Hawaii and is now emerging as asignificant threat to the loggerhead, Caretta caretta, in Florida. In addition the diseasehas been reported in olive ridley, Lepidochelys olivacea, populations as well. Datafrom several field studies suggests that high FP prevalence is associated with marineecosystems impacted by human activities, including agricultural, industrial, and urbandevelopment although the exact role of environmental co-factors is unclear. (18 page document)