Phyllonotus pomum (Gmelin, 1791) On Deceased Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)

    During one of her routine patrols of the beach at Cumberland Island, Georgia on May 14, 2009, biologist and long-time island resident Carol Ruckdeschel discovered a deceased Green Turtle washed onto the beach. While finding deceased turtles on the beach at Cumberland Island is unfortunately a routine occurrence (68 were found during 2006), the unique aspect of this particular find was that a live Phyllonotus pomum was attached to the turtle's shell (see below right). Phyllonotus pomum had previously been documented from the northeast Florida/southeastern Georgia area but the species is normally found at SCUBA diving depths. Interestingly, the northeast Florida specimens differ from those found further south by having a reddish to orange parietal shield instead of creamy white (see:  Phyllonotus pomum (Gmelin, 1791). The P. pomum measured 70 mm. while the turtle measured 33.5 cm. total carapace length and 28.5 cm. width.