Pathology of fibropapillomatosis in olive ridley turtles Lepidochelys olivacea nesting in Costa Rica

摘要

Skin and tumour specimens were collected from 72 olive ridley turtles nesting in Ostional Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica, between July and September 1997. In all, 50 tumour biopsies were examined from 25 of the affected turtles. In addition, 6 biopsieswere examined from 5 turtles that did not have visible masses and served as controls. Grossly, masses were <=25 mm in diameter, white to grey, smooth to verruciform, raised tumours of the integument of the neck and flippers. Histologically, 42 of 50 werediagnosed as fibropapillomas and 8 were classified as chronic active dermatitis and not tumours. 20 of 42 fibropapillomas were in stages of regression and 9 of the remaining 22 tumours had histological changes that suggested early degeneration within the tumour. During field surveys based on gross lesions, prevalences of 1-10% had been reported in this nesting population. This is thought to be the first histopathological confirmation of fibropapillomatosis in olive ridley turtles.