BLUE-GREEN TRAVELERS: CULTIVATION OF CYANOBACTERIA ASSOCIATED WITH SEA TURTLES

The ecological role and diversity of cyanobacteria are important within diverse ecosystems, actively contributing to important functions like nutrient cycling, primary productivity and nitrogen fixation. Understanding their taxonomy and culturing cyanobacteria is of paramount importance for unraveling their ecological significance While cyanobacterial symbiotic relationships, such as those with marine invertebrates like corals and sponges, have garnered attention, the specific epibiotic cyanobacteria associated with vertebrates like sea turtles have remained notably unexplored in both study and cultivation.
This study addresses this gap by focusing on the cultivation and taxonomic exploration of
cyanobacterial strains associated with sea turtles. The study aims to isolate and characterize cyanobacterial strains from the surfaces of sea turtles, shedding light on their taxonomic identity and potential ecological roles. A total of 11 cyanobacterial strains were successfully isolated from various sea turtle species. The genetic markers 16S rRNA and ITS were amplified and sequenced, revealing that all isolated strains belong to the homocytous filamentous cyanobacteria group.
By bridging the knowledge gap regarding these often overlooked microorganisms, this
research paves the way for a deeper understanding of the intricate relationships between
cyanobacteria and their host animals. The successful cultivation and taxonomic identification of these strains provide a foundation for future studies that could tell us more about the functional significance of these cyanobacteria within the sea turtle microbiome context.