Pisonia grandis does not appear to harbour fungi known to invade sea turtle nests at Heron Island, Eastern Australia

Abstract

Hatching success of loggerhead sea turtle nests is significantly lower at Heron I. (23°26´ S, 151°55´ E-Capricorn Group, southern Great Barrier Reef), than on the adjacent mainland1. Fungal invasion appears to play a major role in inter-specific and inter-habitat variation in egg mortality between loggerhead (Caretta caretta L.) and green (Chelonia mydas L.) sea turtles at coral cay and mainland rookeries1, and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata L.) and flatback (Natator depressus Garman) turtles at other major rookeries in eastern Australia*.