title: Pathologic findings in hatchling and posthatchling leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) from Florida.
abstract: In an attempt to identify critical health issues affecting the survival of endangered leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), a prospective study was conducted in several dead-in-nest hatchlings and captive posthatchlings to examine pathologic changes and presence of pathogenic microorganisms. Numerous histopathologic changes were identified. Although bacterial etiologies were suspected in deaths of captive individuals, a single causative organism was not identified but rather, a mixed population of bacterial flora was cultured. Muscle degeneration observed in most samples implicates a potential environmental factor in species survival and needs future investigation.
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, The University of Georgia, Tifton, Georgia 31793, USA. millerdl@uga.edu
authors.forename: Debra L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Jeanette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wyneken
authors.forename: Sreekumari
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rajeev
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Perrault
authors.forename: Douglas R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Mader
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Weege
authors.forename: Charles A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Baldwin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D002423:Cause of Death; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D008297:Male; D014426:Turtles / Q000382:microbiology*