Metagenomic investigation of viral communities in the captive green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas)

The green sea turtle is on the Red List of Threatened Species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature owing to the degradation of their nesting and marine habitats. Thus, conservation efforts, including investigating factors affecting the health of the captive green sea turtles, are critical. Enteric virome plays a vital role in homeostatic regulation and disease progression. In the present study, viral metagenomic approaches were used for the first time to survey viruses in the feces of the captive green sea turtles of different ages.