Grant: 23-032R
Project Title: Bacterial Dynamics of Newly Identified Dermatitis in Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) on Florida's Gulf Coast
Project Manager: Jake Lasala
Organization: Mote Marine Laboratory (Non-Profit Organization)
Grant Amount: $11,701.20
Completion Date:
Summary: In 2019, a bacterial dermatitis not previously reported in wild turtles was identified on the carapace of 42% of examined nesting green turtles (Chelonia mydas) on Casey Key, Florida. An examination of 73 individuals through 2022 found an incidence rate of 31%-82%. Of 21 green turtles observed in multiple years, nine continued to exhibit the condition, nine remained void of the condition and three acquired the condition. We will conduct a thorough investigation into green turtle bacterial dermatitis to identify potential causative agents using high throughput sequencing technologies and continue photographic monitoring of nesting green turtles for prevalence, progression, and resolution of the condition; including the affected individuals identified in the 2019 through 2022 studies.
Results: