Article Review: Bacteria In Latherback Turtle Eggs

The students in the Herpetology class have a new found fascination with sea turtles since the trip to the sea turtle hospital located within the South Carolina Aquarium. No leatherback sea turtles were present at the hospital; however, a scale drawing of an adult leatherback quickly received the students’ full attention. The drawing showed the massive size of these turtles in a face to face manner and left many students staring and surprised. Due to the class’s fascination, two class periods were spent on the discussion of a research paper involving temperature regulation in leatherback turtles. I have chosen to review an article in regards to bacteria affecting leatherback turtle eggs because of my increased interest and background knowledge I received at the Aquarium.

Leatherback sea turtles have become endangered animals, and with a reproductive success averaging 50% it does not appear these animals will recover.  In the article Potentially lethal bacteria in leatherback turtle eggs in the wild threaten both turtles and conservationists, Gerald Soslau and his collogues try to determine what types of hemolytic bacteria are present in leatherback eggs and how does this bacteria affects reproductive successes. Gerald Soslau and colleagues collected samples from hatched eggs, un-hatched eggs, surfaces of hatchlings, and female cloacal fluids. The authors then incubated these samples and isolated bacterial clones. The DNA of the bacteria was tested to determine which types of bacteria existed in these samples. The test revealed four genera of bacteria in the samples collected.

           While it is unsure whether these bacteria affect the reproductive success of leatherback sea turtles, it is possible that a negative affect does take place. A hypothesis is all that can be deterred at this time because it is illegal to tamper with leatherback eggs in anyway which may harm the hatchling. In order to fully test the individual bacteria, eggs would need to be infected and tested, which cannot happen. However, it is highly probable these bacteria strains have a negative impact on leatherback eggs because negative effects can be seen in regards to bacteria and non-endangered turtles and birds eggs.

The real take home message in this research is in regards to human interaction with these eggs. Researches and volunteers need to take extra precautions when handling leatherback turtles and their eggs. These bacteria can cause health problems in humans, ranging from wound infection to death (in rare cases). As students in this class continue in their biological careers and might, one day, volunteer or work with an organization rescuing sea turtles, it is important to keep these precautions in mind.

Source:

Soslau, G., Spotila, J., Chun, A., Yi, S., & Weber, (n.d.). Potentially lethal bacteria in leatherback turtle eggs in the wild threaten both turtles and conservationists. (2011). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 421, 101-106.