What is it about?
The global rise of fungal pathogens presents an emerging threat to biodiversity, with significant risks to species such as endangered sea turtles. The fungal disease called sea turtle egg fusariosis is associated with high embryo mortality, and represents a substantial conservation challenge. This disease is caused by two fungal species, Fusarium falciforme and Fusarium keratoplasticum. In our study, we looked for these fungi in sea turtle nests on four important nesting beaches along Costa Rica’s Pacific and Caribbean coasts. We collected samples from eggshells and sand, then used DNA-based methods to identify the fungi presence. We found that Fusarium falciforme was widespread across all beaches, while Fusarium keratoplasticum was found only at one Caribbean site.
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Why is it important?
This is the first detailed study confirming that the species causing sea turtle egg fusariosis are present in Costa Rica’s nesting beaches.
Perspectives
Although the disease is not yet a major problem for sea turtles in the country, environmental changes could make it worse in the future. Understanding where these fungi are found will help scientists and conservationists protect sea turtle nests and improve conservation strategies. Because Fusarium fungi can survive in beach sand and may harm sea turtle eggs, future conservation work could study how much of this fungus is present in nesting areas and how it relates to the environment. For example, researchers could measure the amount of Fusarium in the sand and compare it with factors like sand type, temperature, and moisture. This would help show whether higher levels of the fungus are linked to fewer eggs hatching and under what beach conditions this happens.
Keilor Cordero Umaña
Universidad Internacional Menendez Pelayo
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Isolation and molecular identification of pathogens causing sea turtle egg fusariosis in key nesting beaches in Costa Rica, PLOS One, September 2025, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0333280.
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