BIO

Hey! I’m Aidan Perez and I’m from Miami, Florida. I’m a second year Biological Science major here at Florida State and I’m hoping to eventually matriculate into medical school. Although I’m pre-med, I have had a life-long passion for marine science, ecology, and conservation. I knew I wanted to do research in this field so I can help promote these interests to the greatest extent I could. Currently, I work in the Marine Turtle Research, Ecology, and Conservation Group (MTREC) where I’m able to combine both my interest in marine science and epidemiology. My specific research interest revolves around looking at incidence rates and prevalence of Fibropapillomatosis in green sea turtles in Florida and the Bahamas. Ultimately, my goal is to impart as much of an impact as possible to help preserve this endangered species, and learn some practical research skills along the way!

Fibropapillomatosis Presence in Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) at Crystal River, Florida and Bimini, Bahamas

Abstract

The virally transmitted neoplastic disease, Fibropapillomatosis (FP) , is a considerable research priority in global green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) conservation and management (Hamann, et al.). FP typically presents as external tumor growths, typically on soft-skin areas such as the neck, eyes, and flipper bases. In advanced cases, these tumors may inhibit biomechanical functions, and in severe cases lead to mortality due to impairment, reduced foraging ability, or reduced threat evasion. FP was first reported in the early 20th century in the Florida Keys, and since has been observed in all major oceans. This study evaluated FP visibility rates among green sea turtles captured from 2016 to 2022 in two distinct capture sites: Crystal River, Florida, USA (N=120) and Bimini, Bahamas (N=128). The relationship between FP presence and standard carapace length (SCL) was explored to compare visibility of FP tumors and turtle size. FP was present in all capture years across both sites, although FP was notably more present overall in the Crystal River, despite its relatively pristine environment. When comparing FP presence and SCL between the two sites, a greater proportion of smaller turtles were found with FP in Crystal River than in Bimini. Overall, the results of this study aim to characterize and document the extent of FP in these two regions to create a data baseline and promote conservation efforts.

Keywords: ecology, marine, ocean, turtle, epidimeiology