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¹ College of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, The University of Georgia, Tifton, Georgia 31793, USA
² Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, 266 Sanson Science, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, USA
³ Marathon Veterinary Hospital, 11187 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida 33050, USA
⁴ Colonial Animal Hospital, 127 East Woolbright Road, Boynton Beach, Florida 33435, USA
⁵ Corresponding author (email: millerdl{at}uga.edu)

ABSTRACT:   In an attempt to identify critical health issues affecting the survival of endangered leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), a prospective study was conducted in several dead-in-nest hatchlings and captive posthatchlings to examine pathologic changes and presence of pathogenic microorganisms. Numerous histopathologic changes were identified. Although bacterial etiologies were suspected in deaths of captive individuals, a single causative organism was not identified but rather, a mixed population of bacterial flora was cultured. Muscle degeneration observed in most samples implicates a potential environmental factor in species survival and needs future investigation.
  Key words:  Dermochelys coriacea, hatchling, histopathology, leatherback sea turtle, posthatchling.