subject: The Turtle Stuffed Animal and The Atlantic Sea Turtle Population [print this page] The Turtle Stuffed Animal and The Atlantic Sea Turtle Population
Next to the teddy bear, the turtle stuffed animal is a very popular choice of soft toy. With it's non-threatening looks, soft plush fur, and overall pleasing countenance, the turtle stuffed animal will never have to worry about being taken off the market.
Unlike turtle plush toys, the Atlantic sea turtle population is in danger given their eggs are being targeted by a deadly fungal infection. With studies conducted by mycologists and ecologists on loggerhead turtles at Boavista Island, Cape Verde, off the West African coast, they were able to uncover what may very well be the reason turtle numbers have been declining in the last 30 years.
According to Drs. Javier Diguez-Uribeondo and Adolfo Marco from Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas- CSIC Spain, the number of nesting beaches worldwide where sea turtles lay their eggs has been on a a downward spiral for the last three decades. While human impact on coastal environments is one reason for the decline, the other is also because of a fungal strain called Fusarium solani which is distributed through the soil. This particular strain of fungus is known to have infected some 111 different plant groups across 87 species and has even been the cause of disease that has shown up in other immunodeficient animals.
When turtle eggs are developing inside the embryo, the eggs spend long periods of time under the sand which is very high in heat and humidity; these conditions are perfect for the growth of fungus in the soil. While Boavista Island off the West African coast, happens to be considered one of the most important nesting areas for the loggerhead turtle, their egg hatching failure is so high, it's bringing down the population numbers considerably.
The research team on the island sampled egg shells that had both early and more severe symptoms of the fungal infection. They also looked at embryos from other sea turtle nests located on the beaches of Ervatao, Joao Barrosa, and Curral Velho, and found 25 "isolates of F.solani associated with egg mass mortalities." The fact that this particular species of fungus has been found to be associated with different types of infections in other animals, this is the first time a study of this scope has even been done on egg hatching failure in loggerhead turtles.
Luckily for the turtle stuffed animal, it doesn't ever have to worry about a deadly fungus like F. solani, given it doesn't lay eggs. The turtle stuffed animal, does, however, need to ensure it's always on top of its most important job: being the best friend and companion it can be, to the owner lucky enough to have it.
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Copyright Shelley Vassall, 2010. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
