<P> The tumours appear to be benign and can be present for many years, but if large, can mechanically hamper sight, swallowing, and swimming, which may ultimately be fatal . While external tumours hamper movement and sight, internal tumours interfere with system functioning, another potentially fatal factor . As the tumours progress, individuals with large numbers of tumours may become anaemic, have a lack of proteins and iron, and in more advanced stages even suffer from acidosis caused by imbalanced calcium / phosphorus ratios and severe emaciation . </P> <P> Fibropapillomas are present in other animal groups, but are caused by different viruses, for example the bovine papillomavirus . </P> <P> The first documented case of the disease was in 1938 in Key West, Florida . Long - term studies found no signs of the disease on Florida's Atlantic coast in the 1970s, but during the 1980s FP was recorded in incidences varying from 28% - 67% . Today, incidences as high as 92% have been reported in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii . Generally, FP is most prominent in warmer climates . </P> <P> The FP is an infectious disease with horizontal transmission . An alphaherpesvirus called fibropapilloma - associated turtle herpesvirus (FPTHV) is believed to be the causative agent of the disease, though no real proof of its causality exists . The reason for this belief is because nearly all tissue samples tested from turtles with lesions carry genetic material of this herpesvirus, varying between 95 and 100% depending on different studies and locations . The DNA loads of the herpesvirus in tumour tissue are 2.5 - 4.5 logarithms higher than in uninfected tissue . The FPTHV herpesvirus has been found in turtles free from FP and this suggest that the FP progression is multifactorial and might even involve some sort of tumour - promoting phase . The global prevalence of the disease also suggests a multifactorial cause, rather than single factors or agents . Possible factors include some parasites, bacteria, environmental pollutants, UV - light, changing water temperatures and biotoxins . Even physiological factors such as stress and immunologic status appear to be associated with FP . </P>

Where does a turtle get its nitrogen from