Fibropapilloma Virus on Sipidan Turtle?

I saw this a week ago and was surprised to see what looks like an FP virus on this Sipidan turtle; can't be sure from the photo but it looks like FP:

http://www.wetpixel.com/competition/index....try&id=3697

We see and treat lots of tumors here at a local marine animal rehab facility and hospital here - one of only two places in Florida licensed to treat FP turtles.

Last night I sat next to our turtle biologist and remembered to ask her if she recalled any data on the FP virus on turtles in Sipidan. She said she didn't recall hearing anything about it in that area. Granted the virus is listed as "worldwide" but Sipidan was not known for having it as evidenced in this local blog from a Sipidan resident:

http://morettiblog.blogspot.com/2007/06/my...sea-turtle.html

Thought I'd open this for discussion. Has anyone else seen what looks like the FP virus on green turtles in Sipidan?

This POTW #194 entry is an absolutely lovely photo and hopefully is not a portent of something like what has happened in Hawaii, Florida and the Caribbean and other areas to the green sea turtle and other species. But it seems the virus only runs rampant in the green sea turtles.

Any data from turtle researchers?

Carol

Looks like a barnacle to me

Terry

Terry,

I can't be sure either from this resolution of this photo and the lighting, but it looked to me a bit rounded and red on one side for a barnacle or whatever. The fibropap tumors often grow out around that area of the underside of the turtles (their plastron) - usually when there is additional tumor growths in the internal organs and it has spread.

But yes lets just hope it is odd lighting on a barnacle in an unusual spot (for a barnacle); odd though cause usually the fastidious greens easily rub off barnacles on their plastron?

And yup I mispelled "Sipidan"......, oops! OK I won't forget it is Sipadan....

Best, Carol