Photodynamic therapy in consolidation of carapace fracture in green turtles (Chelonia mydas)

Abstract

Sea turtles have great longevity and exhibit a complex life history that includes pronounced changes in their development. All sea turtles species are on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature/IUCN, classified as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered. Among traumatic changes that affect turtles, there are the carapace and plastron fractures that can occur primarily as a result of attacks by predators, boar propellers, among others. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of photodynamic therapy in consolidation of fracture in a species of green turtles (Chelonia mydas).