Fungal infection of turtle eggs

presence of microfungi infection is increasing at turtle sanctuaries and hatcheries in the nation. These fungal attacks have contributed to the already existing problems related to turtles and will reduce the success of turtle eggs hatching.

The development of microfungi that is affecting fauna lives and pathogenic fungi has received the attention of researchers including those from the Center for Biodi- versity and Conservation (CBC), American Museum of Natural History in New York, the United States.

Looking at this increasingly unhealthy development, Dr Siti Nordahliawate Mohamed Sidique from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu was invited to present a research project implemented since 2009 with the Sea Turtle Research Unit at Chagar Hutang Turtle Sanctuary on Pulau Redang. She presented the microflora issue on green turtles at the sanctuary.

The discussion focused on the emergence of pathogens from plants evolution that is infecting animals, especially those that are threatened with extinction, such as turtles.

The contribution and sharing of fungal infections information in the turtles and their effects on turtle eggs and their conservation will be shared with the Network of Conservation Educators and Practitioners, the resource centre for information on biodiversity and conservation at the museum.

CBC director Dr Ana Luz Porzecanski also expressed an interest to collaborate in the near future while conservation scientist head Dr Eleanor J. Sterling plans to conduct a research visit next year to look closely into fungal infections in turtle nesting places.

Siti Nordahliawate said: “We have conducted sampling activities at all turtle nesting areas in Peninsular Malaysia in July and found the same fungal infection symptoms despite different species of turtles.”

The Species Complex fungi that infected the turtle eggs in Malaysia has been reported in the

journal as the first record in the country for reference.