Penetration of the eggshell and invasion of embryonic tissue by fungi colonising sea turtle eggs

The fungi Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani and Pseudallescheria boydii have been isolated from failed eggs of loggerhead (Caretta caretta), green (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Erefmochelys imbricata) and flatback (Natator depressus) sea turtles in eastern Australia (Phillott et al., 2001, 2004). The invasion of sea turtle nests by these fungi appears to rely on the use of a moribund egg/s as a nutrient focus followed by hyphal spread to adjacent, viable eggs (Phillott & Parmenter, 2001a). Embryo mortality might occur by impediment of respiratory surfaces (Solomon & Baird, 1980; Phillott & Parmenter, 2001b), deprivation of calcium (Solomon & Baird, 1980; Phillott, 2002) or invasion of embryonic tissue (Solomon & Baird, 1980; Phillott, 2002).