Green sea turtles are one of the two species of marine turtles known to nest in the Maldives. The prevalent time of nesting seems to be inconsistent throughout the island nation. In this study, sea turtle nesting activity was monitored on the island of Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu in Baa Atoll over a period of 12 months. A total of 13 nests were confirmed with a median hatching success rate of 89.58% as ascertained by nest excavation. In one of the nests, a severely deformed hatchling with polycephaly, an opening in the neck area and a lordotic spine was found, and we investigated in detail with radiographic images and a necropsy. Our findings support the importance of consistent nesting activity and nest monitoring efforts in the country as a basis for conservation efforts.

Some Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) can pose numerous adverse effects on biota. Marine turtles face numerous threats, in particular those related to anthropogenic activities. Therefore, development and improvement methodologies for monitoring chemical compounds are a relevant task. In this work, we developed a methodology based on the QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) extraction for detection of twelve OCPs, by gas chromatography with electron capture detector, in fat and liver samples of green sea turtles. Quantification limits were lower than 5.3 ng g-1; acceptable recovery rates for most compounds; medium matrix effect; matrix-calibration with linearity at the range from 1.0 to 200 ng g-1. This methodology provides contributions for the study of pesticide residues with adverse effects on sea turtle health, important skills for new directions in conservation issues.

The hematological reference ranges of sixty wild, apparently health, juvenile green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) from the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Pernambuco State, Brazil, were determined between the months of July and September of 2003. The obtained results were: Packed cell volume 21,4-36,6 %; erythrocytes count 0,244-0,554 x10(6)/µl; Hemoglobin 5,9-14,0 g/dl; Mean Corpuscular Volume 500,4-986,1 fl; Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin 144,0-367,1 pg; Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration 23,7-45,1 g/dl; Total leucocytes count 1178,8-8259,6 /µl; Monocytes 15,4-1494,3 /µl; Lymphocytes 221,1-1924,8 /µl; Heterophils 621,5-4317,8 /µl; Eosinophils 96,1-1831,0 /µl; Basophils 0,0-45,3 /µl; Trombocytes 9513,2-36316,5 /µl. The comparison between the obtained results and literature data reinforce the need to establish hematological counts for specific agglomerations on different geographic and climate conditions, size classes, age, and methodologies. Because of these influences, the values should not be extrapolated to other C. mydas agglomerations and should be used carefully for the clinical evaluation of individuals under other conditions. | Foram determinados os valores hematológicos de referência para 60 tartarugas marinhas Chelonia mydas juvenis selvagens aparentemente saudáveis do Arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco, Brasil nos meses de julho a setembro de 2003. Os resultados obtidos foram: Hematócrito 21,4 a 36,6 %; Hemácias 0,244 a 0,554 x10(6)/µl; Hemoglobina 5,9 a 14,0 g/dl; Volume Corpuscular Médio 500,4 a 986,1 fl; Hemoglobina Corpuscular Média 144,0 a 367,1 pg; Concentração de Hemoglobina Corpuscular Média 23,7 a 45,1 g/dl; Leucócitos 1178,8 a 8259,6 /µl; Monócitos 15,4 a 1494,3 /µl; Linfócitos 221,1 a 1924,8 /µl; Heterófilos 621,5 a 4317,8 /µl; Eosinófilos 96,1 a 1831,0 /µl; Basófilos 0,0 a 45,3 /µl e Trombócitos 9513,2 a 36316,5 /µl. A comparação dos resultados obtidos com os dados da literatura reforça a necessidade do estabelecimento de valores hematológicos específicos para aglomerações em diferentes condições geográficas, climáticas, faixas de tamanho e diferentes metodologias. Devido a estas influências estes valores não devem ser extrapolados para outras aglomerações e devem ser usados com critério para avaliação clínica de indivíduos sob outras condições.