Observations of the epizoa found on the turtle Lepidochelys olivacea at La Gloria, Jalisco, Mexico

Abstract

From August to December 1993, 46 female specimens of the turtle Lepidochelys olivacea were examined at La Gloria, Jalisco, Mexico. Several epizoa were collected: leech, balanus, barnacles, remoras, crabs, algae, amphipods and eggs (probably of leechs). The leech Ozobranchus sp. was the most abundant and was located on the neck and flippers of the turtle. The next most abundant group includes the balanus Platylepas hexastylos and Chelonibia testudinaria; the first was more abundant on the neck and flippers of the turtle, whereas the second was most frequently located on the carapace. The gooseneck barnacles were the third most abundant group, including two species. Lepas anatifera and Conchoderma virgatum; the former was most frequently located on the carapace. vvhereas the latter was recorded on the neck and flippers. Also found on L. olivacea were the fish Remora remora, the crab Planes cyaneus, the alga Polysiphonia sp., amphipods and eggs; however, these species were not abundant.