Perspectives Winter/Spring 2018

14 Nova Southeastern University Once turtle lymphatics are better understood, visual- ized, and mapped, the second part of this study will explore the poorly understood process of FP in sea turtles. This unique and potentially groundbreaking comparative pathology study will examine the patho- physiology of human papillomatosis seen in patients with lymphedema to determine if a similar etiology can help explain the development of FP in sea turtles. In humans, papillomatosis occurs in patients with lymphedema after frequent inflammation and episodic infection. These insults lead to more dysfunction and impairment in an already-compromised system, leading to significant disruption in skin physiology. With FP, it has been hypothesized to be the result of a herpes infection; however, the vector that has allowed FP to spread remains unconfirmed within the sea turtle community. This study will test the hypothesis that FP is a result of lymphatic dysfunction due to exposure to environmen- tal toxins. FP is common in sea turtles that live in areas with high agricultural runoff and in areas of contamina- tion affecting water quality and the turtles’ food supply. In areas of lymphatic failure, the tissues become more vulnerable to infection, inflammation, and carcinogen- esis (Ruocco et al, 2007). As such, herpes seen in green sea turtles may be opportunistic, taking advantage of a vulnerable and compromised system and tissues. Fibropapillomatosis in green sea turtles This unique and potentially groundbreaking comparative pathology study will examine the pathophysiology of human papillomatosis seen in patients with lymphedema to determine if a similar etiology can help explain the development of FP in sea turtles. Photo: Ben Hicks, courtesy of Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. (continued from previous page)