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

The endangered yellow-spotted river turtle (<i>Podocnemis unifilis</i>) 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 <i>Fusarium</i>&nbsp;<i>solani</i> species complex (FSSC) are involved in egg failure in sea turtles under natural and hatchery conditions, but their role in infecting the eggs of <i>P. unifilis</i> is unknown. In this study, we collected eggshells of <i>P. unifilis</i> and obtained 50 fungal and bacterial isolates. Some potentially pathogenic fungi of the genera <i>Fusarium</i>, <i>Penicillium</i> and <i>Rhizopus</i> were identified based on molecular data. Most importantly, the sea turtle pathogenic species <i>F. keratoplasticum</i> not only was present, but it was the most frequently found. Conversely, we have also isolated other microorganisms, such as <i>Pseudomonas</i> or <i>Phoma</i>-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 <i>P. unifilis</i> eggshells, upon which the success of conservation programs may depend.