A study of epibiota on nesting green (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) turtle

Abstract

This study was conducted at Upeh Island and Chagar Hutang rookeries. Epibiotics communities from green and hawksbill turtle were collected by scrapper and preserved in 70% alcohol. Samples were brought back to lab for further analysis and identification. Fourteen epibionts were classified form five different phyla. The sample was classified to the lowest taxon possible. The most dominant species was C. testudinaria that appeared on both turtles with high occurrence. C. testudinaria was the pioneer of the colonization and eventually develop complex microhabitats on the carapace turtle. The most colonized part of hawksbill and green turtles that have been colonized by epibionts were the anterior part of the carapace that contrast from the infections of epibiotic of other sea turtle species. Heavy occurrence of the epibiotic organisms could affects the health of sea turtles and their swimming behavior.