Detection of Bacteria in Oral Swabs from Healthy Common Musk Turtles (Sternotherus odoratus) and West African Mud Turtles (Pelusios castaneus)

Beyond Sea Turtles: Fusarium keratoplasticum in Eggshells of Podocnemis unifilis, a Threatened Amazonian Freshwater Turtle

The endangered yellow-spotted river turtle (Podocnemis unifilis) has experienced a dramatic population decline in the Ecuadorian Amazonia, mainly due to overexploitation of its eggs. To reverse this trend, the Wildlife Conservation Society has developed a head-start program in Yasuní National Park since 2008, but the potential risk that microbes associated with its eggs might represent for hatching success has not been evaluated yet. Members of the Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC) are involved in egg failure in sea turtles under natural and hatchery conditions, but their role in infecting the eggs of P. unifilis is unknown. In this study, we collected eggshells of P. unifilis and obtained 50 fungal and bacterial isolates. Some potentially pathogenic fungi of the genera Fusarium, Penicillium and Rhizopus were identified based on molecular data. Most importantly, the sea turtle pathogenic species F. keratoplasticum not only was present, but it was the most frequently found. Conversely, we have also isolated other microorganisms, such as Pseudomonas or Phoma-like species, producing a wide spectrum of antifungal compounds that may have a protective role against fungal diseases. Our survey provides useful information on potential pathogens found in P. unifilis eggshells, upon which the success of conservation programs may depend.

Antibiotic stewardship for reptiles

This review discusses the general principles underlying responsible antibiotic usage in reptiles. Very little evidence underlies antibiotic usage in reptiles, and there are no published guidelines for responsible antibiotic usage. A literature search was performed to review the evidence for bacterial involvement in the pathology of selected common diseases of reptiles, allowing the development of recommendations for responsible antibiotic treatment of those diseases.