<i>Trachemys scripta</i> Eggs as Part of a Potential In Vivo Model for Studying Sea Turtle Egg Fusariosis
The fungal pathogens <i>Fusarium keratoplasticum</i> and <i>Fusarium falciforme</i> are responsible for the emerging infectious disease named sea turtle egg fusariosis (STEF). This disease affects all sea turtle species throughout the world, causing low hatching success and m...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/11/1/23 |
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| author | María Martínez-Ríos Laura Martín-Torrijos Javier Diéguez-Uribeondo |
| author_facet | María Martínez-Ríos Laura Martín-Torrijos Javier Diéguez-Uribeondo |
| author_sort | María Martínez-Ríos |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The fungal pathogens <i>Fusarium keratoplasticum</i> and <i>Fusarium falciforme</i> are responsible for the emerging infectious disease named sea turtle egg fusariosis (STEF). This disease affects all sea turtle species throughout the world, causing low hatching success and mass mortalities. In this study, we investigated the potential use of widely available and easy-to-handle eggs of the invasive alien red-eared slider turtle, <i>Trachemys scripta</i>, as part of an in vivo host model to improve our knowledge of the biological properties of the pathogens responsible of the STEF. Specifically, we performed in vivo experiments, in which <i>T. scripta</i> eggs were challenged with conidia of <i>F. keratoplasticum</i> isolated from diseased sea turtle eggs. We found that the pathogen could colonize and develop similar signs to those observed in nature and fulfill Koch’s postulates. The pathogen showed high virulence properties (e.g., high disease incidence, severity, and low hatching success) and its ability to modify the pH in both the egg surface and culture media, confirming previously described fungal pathogen models. These results support the use of <i>T. scripta</i> as an experimental in vivo host model for studying the biological characteristics of STEF, thus providing valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying the emergence of this fungal disease. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-be584469a59f4877a7919113ed8f2025 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2309-608X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Fungi |
| spelling | doaj-art-be584469a59f4877a7919113ed8f20252025-01-24T13:37:15ZengMDPI AGJournal of Fungi2309-608X2025-01-011112310.3390/jof11010023<i>Trachemys scripta</i> Eggs as Part of a Potential In Vivo Model for Studying Sea Turtle Egg FusariosisMaría Martínez-Ríos0Laura Martín-Torrijos1Javier Diéguez-Uribeondo2Department of Mycology, Real Jardín Botánico CSIC, Plaza Murillo 2, 28014 Madrid, SpainDepartment of Mycology, Real Jardín Botánico CSIC, Plaza Murillo 2, 28014 Madrid, SpainDepartment of Mycology, Real Jardín Botánico CSIC, Plaza Murillo 2, 28014 Madrid, SpainThe fungal pathogens <i>Fusarium keratoplasticum</i> and <i>Fusarium falciforme</i> are responsible for the emerging infectious disease named sea turtle egg fusariosis (STEF). This disease affects all sea turtle species throughout the world, causing low hatching success and mass mortalities. In this study, we investigated the potential use of widely available and easy-to-handle eggs of the invasive alien red-eared slider turtle, <i>Trachemys scripta</i>, as part of an in vivo host model to improve our knowledge of the biological properties of the pathogens responsible of the STEF. Specifically, we performed in vivo experiments, in which <i>T. scripta</i> eggs were challenged with conidia of <i>F. keratoplasticum</i> isolated from diseased sea turtle eggs. We found that the pathogen could colonize and develop similar signs to those observed in nature and fulfill Koch’s postulates. The pathogen showed high virulence properties (e.g., high disease incidence, severity, and low hatching success) and its ability to modify the pH in both the egg surface and culture media, confirming previously described fungal pathogen models. These results support the use of <i>T. scripta</i> as an experimental in vivo host model for studying the biological characteristics of STEF, thus providing valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying the emergence of this fungal disease.https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/11/1/23pathogenemerging fungal diseasesascomycetespHturtle<i>Fusarium keratoplasticum</i> |
| spellingShingle | María Martínez-Ríos Laura Martín-Torrijos Javier Diéguez-Uribeondo <i>Trachemys scripta</i> Eggs as Part of a Potential In Vivo Model for Studying Sea Turtle Egg Fusariosis Journal of Fungi pathogen emerging fungal diseases ascomycetes pH turtle <i>Fusarium keratoplasticum</i> |
| title | <i>Trachemys scripta</i> Eggs as Part of a Potential In Vivo Model for Studying Sea Turtle Egg Fusariosis |
| title_full | <i>Trachemys scripta</i> Eggs as Part of a Potential In Vivo Model for Studying Sea Turtle Egg Fusariosis |
| title_fullStr | <i>Trachemys scripta</i> Eggs as Part of a Potential In Vivo Model for Studying Sea Turtle Egg Fusariosis |
| title_full_unstemmed | <i>Trachemys scripta</i> Eggs as Part of a Potential In Vivo Model for Studying Sea Turtle Egg Fusariosis |
| title_short | <i>Trachemys scripta</i> Eggs as Part of a Potential In Vivo Model for Studying Sea Turtle Egg Fusariosis |
| title_sort | i trachemys scripta i eggs as part of a potential in vivo model for studying sea turtle egg fusariosis |
| topic | pathogen emerging fungal diseases ascomycetes pH turtle <i>Fusarium keratoplasticum</i> |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/11/1/23 |
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