The dissected esophagus of a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)

Alternative Title

Esophagus Chelonia

Creator

John C. OgdenFollow

Files

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Creation Date

11-1-1977

Abstract

Photograph of a dissected esophagus from a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), showing some of the food contents found inside the esophagus. The food content appears green and plant-like. Green sea turtles are the only species of sea turtles that are primarily herbivorous, eating mostly seagrasses and algae. By examining the contents of this green sea turtle's esophagus, researchers were able to investigate the diet of the green sea turtle and what species of seagrasses or algae were predominantly eaten by them. They found that this particular turtle had purely manatee grass (Syringodium filiforme) in its digestive organs. The researchers also observed that the leaves of the manatee grass were broken down by the time they passed through the esophagus while the rhizomes of the manatee grass remained intact until the last 2 to 3 meters of the turtle's digestive tract. The materials in the turtle's digestive organs had a wet weight of over 5 kilograms. The green sea turtle was purchased by research scientists from indigenous Miskito fishermen and then scientifically dissected. The Miskito people are a Central American indigenous group who have historically hunted sea turtles around the area of the Miskito Cays, Nicaragua. This photograph was taken near the Miskito Cays, Nicaragua during the research expedition of Dr. John C. Ogden and his colleagues to Miskito Bank, Nicaragua aboard the R/V [Research Vessel] Alpha Helix from October 13, 1977 to November 18, 1977 where their research included studies on seagrasses, fish, sea urchins, and the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas).

Keywords

Marine biology--Research, Miskito Coast (Nicaragua and Honduras), Green sea turtle--Digestive organs--Dissection, Digestive organs--examination

Extent

2 x 2 inches cardboard projector slide with Kodachrome 35mm color photographic film

Physical Collection

Dr. John Ogden Caribbean and Coral Reef collection

Digital Date

2023

Media Type

Color slides

Identifier

O19-00051

Recommended Citation

Ogden, John C., "The dissected esophagus of a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)" (1977). Binder 04: Photographs and Images. Image 35.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/ogden_images/35