Morphological characteristics identification and diversity of fungi isolated from unhatched (rotten) eggs of green turtle (Chelonia mydas ) at chagar hutang (in-situ) and ma' daerah (ex-situ)

Abstract

This study was conducted at Chagar Hutang Turtle Sactuary, Redang Island and Ma' Daerah Turtle Sactuary, Kemaman. The samples of green turtle eggs with fungi infection symptoms at the sampling sites and the soil from nest were brought back to the laboratory for further analysis and identification. All fungi isolated were regularly culture in the PDA, CLA, CZ, CY A or CLA medium at the laboratory for further identification through macroscopic and microscopic morphological characteristics. Five species of fungi was identified from both sampling sites which were Fusarium solani, Fusarium spp., Trichoderma sp., Aspergillus niger and Pestalotiopsis sp.. There were also unknown fungi isolated from the surface of unhatched turtle eggs and from the nest. The Fusarium solani was more dominant compared to other fungi in both sampling sites and have consistence occurrence on egg shells. Number of colonies was also isolated from soil at Chagar Hutang with the range of O to 1690 CFU/g soil and O to 250 CFU/g at Ma' Daerah Turtle Sanctuary.