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Lamont MM, Slone D, Reid JP, Butler SM, Alday J. Deep vs shallow: GPS tags reveal a dichotomy in movement patterns of loggerhead turtles foraging in a coastal bay. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2024; 12:40. [PMID: 38816732 PMCID: PMC11140867 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-024-00480-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individual variation in movement strategies of foraging loggerhead turtles have been documented on the scale of tens to hundreds of kilometers within single ocean basins. Use of different strategies among individuals may reflect variations in resources, predation pressure or competition. It is less common for individual turtles to use different foraging strategies on the scale of kilometers within a single coastal bay. We used GPS tags capable of back-filling fine-scale locations to document movement patterns of loggerhead turtles in a coastal bay in Northwest Florida, U.S.A. METHODS Iridium-linked GPS tags were deployed on loggerhead turtles at a neritic foraging site in Northwest Florida. After filtering telemetry data, point locations were transformed to movement lines and then merged with the original point file to define travel paths and assess travel speed. Home ranges were determined using kernel density function. Diurnal behavioral shifts were examined by examining turtle movements compared to solar time. RESULTS Of the 11 turtles tagged, three tracked turtles remained in deep (~ 6 m) water for almost the entire tracking period, while all other turtles undertook movements from deep water locations, located along edges and channels, to shallow (~ 1-2 m) shoals at regular intervals and primarily at night. Three individuals made short-term movements into the Gulf of Mexico when water temperatures dropped, and movement speeds in the Gulf were greater than those in the bay. Turtles exhibited a novel behavior we termed drifting. CONCLUSIONS This study highlighted the value provided to fine-scale movement studies for species such as sea turtles that surface infrequently by the ability of these GPS tags to store and re-upload data. Future use of these tags at other loggerhead foraging sites, and concurrent with diving and foraging data, would provide a powerful tool to better understand fine-scale movement patterns of sea turtles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret M Lamont
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, FL 32653, USA.
| | - Daniel Slone
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, FL 32653, USA
| | - James P Reid
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, FL 32653, USA
| | - Susan M Butler
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, FL 32653, USA
| | - Joseph Alday
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, FL 32653, USA
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2
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Kim IH, Park IK, Park D, Kim MS, Cho IY, Yang D, Han DJ, Cho E, Shim WJ, Hong SH, An YR. Habitat use of loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) turtles at the northern limit of their distribution range of the Northwest Pacific Ocean. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0290202. [PMID: 38573996 PMCID: PMC10994308 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Verifying habitats, including the foraging and nesting areas for sea turtles, enables an understanding of their spatial ecology and successful planning of their conservation and management strategies. Recently, the observation frequency and bycatch of loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) turtles have increased in the northern limit of their distribution range, in the northern part of the East China Sea and East (Japan) Sea. We conducted satellite tracking to investigate the habitat use of seven loggerhead and eight green turtles from June 2016 to August 2022 in this area, where little is known about their spatial ecology. We applied a 50 percent volume contour method to determine their main foraging areas and analyzed 6 environmental variables to characterize their habitats. Loggerhead turtles mainly stayed in and used the East China Sea as a foraging area during the tracking period, while two individuals among them also used the East Sea as a seasonal foraging area. Most green turtles also used the East China Sea as a foraging area, near South Korea and Japan, with one individual among them using the lower area of the East Sea as a seasonal foraging area. Notably, one green turtle traveled to Hainan Island in the South China Sea, a historical nesting area. Our results showed that the two sea turtle species included the East Sea as a seasonal foraging area, possibly owing to the abundance of food sources available, despite its relatively lower sea temperature. Considering that loggerhead and green sea turtles were observed using the northern part of the East China Sea and East Sea more frequently than previously known and that the sea temperature gradually increases due to climate change, conservation and management activities are required for sea turtles in these areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Il-Hun Kim
- Department of Ecology and Conservation, National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, Seocheon, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Il-Kook Park
- Division of Science Education, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Daesik Park
- Division of Science Education, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Seop Kim
- Department of Ecology and Conservation, National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, Seocheon, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Young Cho
- Department of Ecology and Conservation, National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, Seocheon, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongwoo Yang
- Department of Ecology and Conservation, National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, Seocheon, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Jin Han
- Aqua Team, Aqua Planet Yeosu, Yeosu, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunvit Cho
- Aqua Team, Aqua Planet Yeosu, Yeosu, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Joon Shim
- Ecological Risk Research Department, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Geoje, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Hee Hong
- Ecological Risk Research Department, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Geoje, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea
- Department of Ocean Science, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Rock An
- Department of Ecology and Conservation, National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, Seocheon, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea
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Ferreira‐Airaud B, Vieira S, Branco M, Pina A, Soares V, Tiwari M, Witt M, Castilho R, Teodósio A, Hawkes LA. Green and Hawksbill Sea turtles of Eastern Atlantic: New insights into a globally important rookery in the Gulf of Guinea. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11133. [PMID: 38505183 PMCID: PMC10948591 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Sea turtles are critical components of marine ecosystems, and their conservation is important for Ocean Governance and Global Planet Health. However, there is limited knowledge of their ecology in the Gulf of Guinea. To fill this knowledge gap, this study presents the first integrative assessment of green and hawksbill turtles in the region, combining nesting surveys over 9 years and telemetry data, to offer insights into these population dynamics, and behaviours, including nesting preferences, morphological and reproductive parameters, diving patterns and inter-nesting core-use areas. Both green and hawksbill turtles are likely making a recovery on São Tomé, potentially driven by sustained conservation efforts. There are preliminary indications of recovery, but we interpret this cautiously. Coupled with satellite tracking, this study estimated that 482 to 736 green turtles and 135 to 217 hawksbills nest on the beaches of São Tomé. Their movements overlap significantly with a proposed Marine Protected Area (MPA), which suggests they may be well placed for conservation if managed appropriately. However, the presence of artisanal fisheries and emerging threats, such as sand mining and unregulated tourism, highlight the urgent need for robust management strategies that align global conservation objectives with local socioeconomic realities. This study significantly enhances our understanding of the ecology and conservation needs of the green and hawksbill turtles in the Gulf of Guinea. The insights gleaned here can contribute to the development of tailored conservation strategies that benefit these populations and the ecosystem services upon which they depend.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betânia Ferreira‐Airaud
- Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR)Universidade do AlgarveFaroPortugal
- Hatherly LaboratoriesUniversity of ExeterExeterUK
- Programa TatôSão ToméSão Tomé and Príncipe
| | - Sara Vieira
- Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR)Universidade do AlgarveFaroPortugal
- Programa TatôSão ToméSão Tomé and Príncipe
| | | | | | | | - Manjula Tiwari
- Ocean Ecology NetworkResearch Affiliate of NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science CenterLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Matthew Witt
- Hatherly LaboratoriesUniversity of ExeterExeterUK
| | - Rita Castilho
- Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR)Universidade do AlgarveFaroPortugal
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4
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Hardin EE, Cullen JA, Fuentes MMPB. Comparing acoustic and satellite telemetry: an analysis quantifying the space use of Chelonia mydas in Bimini, Bahamas. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 11:231152. [PMID: 38204794 PMCID: PMC10776224 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.231152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Passive acoustic and Argos satellite telemetry are common methods for tracking marine species and are often used similarly to quantify space use. However, data-driven comparisons of these methods and their associated ecological inferences are limited. To address this, we compared temporal durations, spatial resolutions, financial costs and estimates of occurrence and range distributions for each tracking approach using nine juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in Bimini, Bahamas. Tracking durations were similar, although acoustic tracking provided higher spatiotemporal resolution than satellite tracking. Occurrence distributions (95%) estimated from satellite telemetry were 12 times larger than those from acoustic telemetry, while satellite range distributions (95%) were 89 times larger. While individuals generally remained within the extent of the acoustic receiver array, gaps in coverage were identified. These gaps, combined with the lower accuracy of satellite telemetry, were likely drivers for the larger satellite distributions. Costs differed between telemetry methods, with acoustic telemetry being less expensive at larger sample sizes with a previously established array. Our results suggest that acoustic and satellite telemetry may not provide similar inferences of individual space use. As such, we provide recommendations to identify telemetry methods appropriate for specific study objectives and provide discussion on the biases of each.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E. Hardin
- Marine Turtle Research, Ecology and Conservation Group, Department of Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32304, USA
| | - Joshua A. Cullen
- Marine Turtle Research, Ecology and Conservation Group, Department of Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32304, USA
| | - Mariana M. P. B. Fuentes
- Marine Turtle Research, Ecology and Conservation Group, Department of Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32304, USA
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5
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Hardy RF, Meylan AB, Gray JA, Meylan PA. Daily, seasonal, and long-distance movements inferred from Fastloc-GPS telemetry of immature green turtles (Chelonia mydas) at a high-latitude, mid-ocean developmental site. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0292235. [PMID: 38100458 PMCID: PMC10723664 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
To characterize the movements and habitat use of juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in benthic developmental habitat, we deployed Fastloc-GPS-enabled satellite transmitters on 16 individuals captured as part of a multi-decade study of green turtles on the Bermuda Platform. We characterized residence areas, distinct use areas within them, and seasonal movements based on an average of 562 Fastloc-GPS positions and 284 tracking days per turtle. We estimated residence area sizes using traditional home range methods, e.g., 90% utilization distribution (UD) (mean 2.29 ±2.71 km2) and 50% UD (mean 0.54 ±0.69 km2). Total residence area size increased significantly over the 8-year study, from <1 km2 before 2013 to ≥3 km2 in 2018 (R2 = 0.51, F1,14 = 14.55, p = 0.0019), corresponding to a period of decline in seagrass habitat and suggesting increased foraging effort. We identified three types of distinct use areas within residence areas where tracked turtles typically exhibited behavioral fidelity: foraging, resting, and cool weather refugia. These distinct use areas were smaller than high-use areas from previous studies; e.g., seagrass meadow foraging areas averaged 0.05 km2. Most turtles made daily transits between foraging and resting sites; for some individuals, these involved crossing frequently used vessel navigation channels. Seasonal variation in behavior suggested that the overwintering strategy for green turtles on the Bermuda Platform involves "optional dormancy," during which turtles spent less time on seagrass meadows and made brief excursions to distinct deeper habitats. Four individuals made directed (mean path straightness = 0.93 ±0.02 SD) developmental migrations away from Bermuda toward known adult foraging range. Results of our study further knowledge of the green turtle life cycle at a high-latitude site; they demonstrate that green turtles show fidelity to distinct use areas within developmental habitats over many years and exhibit seasonal movements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert F Hardy
- Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, St. Petersburg, Florida, United States of America
| | - Anne B Meylan
- Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, St. Petersburg, Florida, United States of America
| | | | - Peter A Meylan
- Natural Sciences, Eckerd College, Saint Petersburg, Florida, United States of America
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6
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Tanabe LK, Cochran JEM, Berumen ML. Inter-nesting, migration, and foraging behaviors of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the central-southern Red Sea. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11222. [PMID: 37433818 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37942-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Sea turtles are migratory with nesting and foraging areas in distinct and often widely separated habitats. Telemetry has been a vital tool for tracking sea turtle migrations between these areas, but tagging efforts are often focused on only a few large rookeries in a given region. For instance, turtle tagging in the Red Sea has been focused in the north of the basin. We tagged five green turtles (Chelonia mydas) at a nesting site in the central-southern Red Sea and tracked them for 72-243 days. During the inter-nesting period, the turtles showed high site-fidelity, with a maximum home range of 161 km2. After the nesting season, the turtles migrated up to 1100 km to five distinct foraging locations in three countries (Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Eritrea). Movements within foraging habitats were more wide-ranging compared to inter-nesting movements, with home ranges varying between 1.19 and 931 km2. The tracking data revealed that the creation of a relatively small marine reserve could protect the critical inter-nesting habitat in the Farasan Banks. The results also highlight the need for multinational collaboration to protect migratory corridors and foraging sites of this endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyndsey K Tanabe
- Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, 23955‑6900, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | - Jesse E M Cochran
- Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, 23955‑6900, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Michael L Berumen
- Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, 23955‑6900, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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7
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Garzon F, Barrientos C, Anvene RE, Mba FE, Fallabrino A, Formia A, Godley BJ, Gonder MK, Prieto CM, Ayetebe JM, Metcalfe K, Montgomery D, Nsogo J, Nze JCO, Possardt E, Salazar ER, Tiwari M, Witt MJ. Spatial ecology and conservation of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) nesting in Bioko, Equatorial Guinea. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286545. [PMID: 37315005 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioko Island (Equatorial Guinea) hosts important nesting habitat for leatherback sea turtles, with the main nesting beaches found on the island's southern end. Nest monitoring and protection have been ongoing for more than two decades, although distribution and habitat range at sea remains to be determined. This study uses satellite telemetry to describe the movements of female leatherback turtles (n = 10) during and following the breeding season, tracking them to presumed offshore foraging habitats in the south Atlantic Ocean. Leatherback turtles spent 100% of their time during the breeding period within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Equatorial Guinea, with a core distribution focused on the south of Bioko Island extending up to 10 km from the coast. During this period, turtles spent less than 10% of time within the existing protected area. Extending the border of this area by 3 km offshore would lead to a greater than threefold increase in coverage of turtle distribution (29.8 ± 19.0% of time), while an expansion to 15 km offshore would provide spatial coverage for more than 50% of tracking time. Post-nesting movements traversed the territorial waters of Sao Tome and Principe (6.4%of tracking time), Brazil (0.85%), Ascension (1.8%), and Saint Helena (0.75%). The majority (70%) of tracking time was spent in areas beyond national jurisdiction (i.e. the High Seas). This study reveals that conservation benefits could be achieved by expanding existing protected areas stretching from the Bioko coastal zone, and suggests shared migratory routes and foraging space between the Bioko population and other leatherback turtle rookeries in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Garzon
- Hatherley Laboratories, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom
| | | | - Rigoberto Esono Anvene
- Tortugas Marinas de Guinea Ecuatorial (TOMAGE), Instituto Nacional de Desarrollo Forestal y Manejo de las Areas Protegidas (INDEFOR-AP), Bata, Equatorial Guinea
| | - Feme Esono Mba
- Tortugas Marinas de Guinea Ecuatorial (TOMAGE), Instituto Nacional de Desarrollo Forestal y Manejo de las Areas Protegidas (INDEFOR-AP), Bata, Equatorial Guinea
| | - Alejandro Fallabrino
- Tortugas Marinas de Guinea Ecuatorial (TOMAGE), Instituto Nacional de Desarrollo Forestal y Manejo de las Areas Protegidas (INDEFOR-AP), Bata, Equatorial Guinea
| | - Angela Formia
- Tortugas Marinas de Guinea Ecuatorial (TOMAGE), Instituto Nacional de Desarrollo Forestal y Manejo de las Areas Protegidas (INDEFOR-AP), Bata, Equatorial Guinea
- African Aquatic Conservation Fund, Chillmark, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Brendan J Godley
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, Faculty of Environment, Sustainability and Economy, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, United Kingdom
| | - Mary K Gonder
- Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program, Malabo, Bioko Norte, Equatorial Guinea
- Department of Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | | | | | - Kristian Metcalfe
- African Aquatic Conservation Fund, Chillmark, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - David Montgomery
- Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program, Malabo, Bioko Norte, Equatorial Guinea
- Department of Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Juan Nsogo
- Tortugas Marinas de Guinea Ecuatorial (TOMAGE), Instituto Nacional de Desarrollo Forestal y Manejo de las Areas Protegidas (INDEFOR-AP), Bata, Equatorial Guinea
| | - Juan-Cruz Ondo Nze
- Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program, Malabo, Bioko Norte, Equatorial Guinea
- Universidad Nacional de Guinea Ecuatorial, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
| | - Earl Possardt
- US National Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of International Conservation, Falls Church, Virginia, United States of America
| | | | - Manjula Tiwari
- Ocean Ecology Network, Research Affiliate of NOAA-National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Matthew J Witt
- Hatherley Laboratories, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom
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8
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Gravel R, Lai S, Berteaux D. Long-term satellite tracking reveals patterns of long-distance dispersal in juvenile and adult Arctic foxes ( Vulpes lagopus). ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:220729. [PMID: 36756054 PMCID: PMC9890113 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.220729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Long-distance dispersal plays a key role in species distribution and persistence. However, its movement metrics and ecological implications may differ whether it is undertaken by juveniles (natal dispersal) or adults (breeding dispersal). We investigated the influence of life stage on long-distance dispersal in the Arctic fox, an important tundra predator. We fitted 170 individuals with satellite collars during a 13-year study on Bylot Island (Nunavut, Canada), and analysed the tracks of 10 juveniles and 27 adults engaging in long-distance dispersal across the Canadian High Arctic. This behaviour was much more common than expected, especially in juveniles (62.5%, adults: 19.4%). Emigration of juveniles occurred mainly at the end of summer while departure of adults was not synchronized. Juveniles travelled for longer periods and over longer cumulative distances than adults, but spent similar proportions of their time travelling on sea ice versus land. Successful immigration occurred mostly in late spring and was similar for juveniles and adults (30% versus 37%). Our results reveal how life stage influences key aspects of long-distance dispersal in a highly mobile canid. This new knowledge is critical to understand the circumpolar genetic structure of the species, and how Arctic foxes can spread zoonoses across vast geographical areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Gravel
- Canada Research Chair on Northen Biodiversity, Centre for Northern Studies and Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Canada G5L 3A1
| | - Sandra Lai
- Canada Research Chair on Northen Biodiversity, Centre for Northern Studies and Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Canada G5L 3A1
| | - Dominique Berteaux
- Canada Research Chair on Northen Biodiversity, Centre for Northern Studies and Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Canada G5L 3A1
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9
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Gravel R, Lai S, Berteaux D. Long-term satellite tracking reveals patterns of long-distance dispersal in juvenile and adult Arctic foxes ( Vulpes lagopus). ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:220729. [PMID: 36756054 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7521679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Long-distance dispersal plays a key role in species distribution and persistence. However, its movement metrics and ecological implications may differ whether it is undertaken by juveniles (natal dispersal) or adults (breeding dispersal). We investigated the influence of life stage on long-distance dispersal in the Arctic fox, an important tundra predator. We fitted 170 individuals with satellite collars during a 13-year study on Bylot Island (Nunavut, Canada), and analysed the tracks of 10 juveniles and 27 adults engaging in long-distance dispersal across the Canadian High Arctic. This behaviour was much more common than expected, especially in juveniles (62.5%, adults: 19.4%). Emigration of juveniles occurred mainly at the end of summer while departure of adults was not synchronized. Juveniles travelled for longer periods and over longer cumulative distances than adults, but spent similar proportions of their time travelling on sea ice versus land. Successful immigration occurred mostly in late spring and was similar for juveniles and adults (30% versus 37%). Our results reveal how life stage influences key aspects of long-distance dispersal in a highly mobile canid. This new knowledge is critical to understand the circumpolar genetic structure of the species, and how Arctic foxes can spread zoonoses across vast geographical areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Gravel
- Canada Research Chair on Northen Biodiversity, Centre for Northern Studies and Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Canada G5L 3A1
| | - Sandra Lai
- Canada Research Chair on Northen Biodiversity, Centre for Northern Studies and Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Canada G5L 3A1
| | - Dominique Berteaux
- Canada Research Chair on Northen Biodiversity, Centre for Northern Studies and Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Canada G5L 3A1
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10
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Gravel R, Lai S, Berteaux D. Long-term satellite tracking reveals patterns of long-distance dispersal in juvenile and adult Arctic foxes ( Vulpes lagopus). ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:220729. [PMID: 36756054 DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6399726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Long-distance dispersal plays a key role in species distribution and persistence. However, its movement metrics and ecological implications may differ whether it is undertaken by juveniles (natal dispersal) or adults (breeding dispersal). We investigated the influence of life stage on long-distance dispersal in the Arctic fox, an important tundra predator. We fitted 170 individuals with satellite collars during a 13-year study on Bylot Island (Nunavut, Canada), and analysed the tracks of 10 juveniles and 27 adults engaging in long-distance dispersal across the Canadian High Arctic. This behaviour was much more common than expected, especially in juveniles (62.5%, adults: 19.4%). Emigration of juveniles occurred mainly at the end of summer while departure of adults was not synchronized. Juveniles travelled for longer periods and over longer cumulative distances than adults, but spent similar proportions of their time travelling on sea ice versus land. Successful immigration occurred mostly in late spring and was similar for juveniles and adults (30% versus 37%). Our results reveal how life stage influences key aspects of long-distance dispersal in a highly mobile canid. This new knowledge is critical to understand the circumpolar genetic structure of the species, and how Arctic foxes can spread zoonoses across vast geographical areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Gravel
- Canada Research Chair on Northen Biodiversity, Centre for Northern Studies and Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Canada G5L 3A1
| | - Sandra Lai
- Canada Research Chair on Northen Biodiversity, Centre for Northern Studies and Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Canada G5L 3A1
| | - Dominique Berteaux
- Canada Research Chair on Northen Biodiversity, Centre for Northern Studies and Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Canada G5L 3A1
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11
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Snape RT, Beton D, Davey S, Godley BJ, Haywood J, Omeyer LC, Ozkan M, Broderick AC. Mediterranean green turtle population recovery increasingly depends on Lake Bardawil, Egypt. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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12
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Kim IH, Park IK, Han DJ, Kim MS, Park D, Moon DY, Cho IY, Im JE, Park J, An YR. Movement Patterns of Juvenile Loggerhead Turtles ( Caretta caretta L. 1758) and Green Turtles ( Chelonia mydas L. 1758) Hatched in Captivity and Released in the Korean Waters. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12162157. [PMID: 36009748 PMCID: PMC9405475 DOI: 10.3390/ani12162157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
With most sea turtle populations declining, activities to conserve their habitat and nesting grounds and restore their populations are being implemented worldwide. To preserve the Northwestern Pacific populations, the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea has been releasing artificially propagated sea turtles, but whether these individuals join the wild population remains unknown. The present study aimed to determine the movement patterns of artificially propagated juvenile loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) turtles fitted with satellite transmitters on their carapaces and released in the waters of Jeju or Yeosu, Republic of Korea, between August 2018 and April 2022. Loggerheads traveled northward to the East Sea, whereas green turtles moved west or southwest. Two 36-month-old and two 48-month-old loggerheads moved toward their potential nursery grounds and toward their feeding grounds, respectively. Three green turtles with a curved carapace length (CCL) of <40 cm moved toward their nursery or feeding grounds, while three individuals (CCL > 45 cm) moved toward their inshore foraging areas. The travel paths were closely related to the direction of local sea currents. Our results implied that releasing artificially propagated sea turtles, considering their age and CCL, can positively contribute to the conservation of Northwestern Pacific populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Il-Hun Kim
- Department of Ecology and Conservation, National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, Seocheon 33662, Korea
| | - Il-Kook Park
- Division of Science Education, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea
| | - Dong-Jin Han
- Aqua Team, Aqua Planet Yeosu, Yeosu 59744, Korea
| | - Min-Seop Kim
- National Marine Bio-Resources and Information Center, National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, Seocheon 33662, Korea
| | - Daesik Park
- Division of Science Education, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea
| | | | - In-Young Cho
- Department of Ecology and Conservation, National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, Seocheon 33662, Korea
| | - Ji-En Im
- Aqua Team, Aqua Planet Yeosu, Yeosu 59744, Korea
| | - Jaejin Park
- Division of Science Education, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea
| | - Yong-Rock An
- National Marine Bio-Resources and Information Center, National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, Seocheon 33662, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-41-950-0750
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Kot CY, Åkesson S, Alfaro‐Shigueto J, Amorocho Llanos DF, Antonopoulou M, Balazs GH, Baverstock WR, Blumenthal JM, Broderick AC, Bruno I, Canbolat AF, Casale P, Cejudo D, Coyne MS, Curtice C, DeLand S, DiMatteo A, Dodge K, Dunn DC, Esteban N, Formia A, Fuentes MMPB, Fujioka E, Garnier J, Godfrey MH, Godley BJ, González Carman V, Harrison A, Hart CE, Hawkes LA, Hays GC, Hill N, Hochscheid S, Kaska Y, Levy Y, Ley‐Quiñónez CP, Lockhart GG, López‐Mendilaharsu M, Luschi P, Mangel JC, Margaritoulis D, Maxwell SM, McClellan CM, Metcalfe K, Mingozzi A, Moncada FG, Nichols WJ, Parker DM, Patel SH, Pilcher NJ, Poulin S, Read AJ, Rees ALF, Robinson DP, Robinson NJ, Sandoval‐Lugo AG, Schofield G, Seminoff JA, Seney EE, Snape RTE, Sözbilen D, Tomás J, Varo‐Cruz N, Wallace BP, Wildermann NE, Witt MJ, Zavala‐Norzagaray AA, Halpin PN. Network analysis of sea turtle movements and connectivity: A tool for conservation prioritization. DIVERS DISTRIB 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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14
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Mosquera-Guerra F, Trujillo F, Oliveira-da-Costa M, Marmontel M, Van Damme PA, Franco N, Córdova L, Campbell E, Alfaro-Shigueto J, Mena JL, Mangel JC, Oviedo JSU, Carvajal-Castro JD, Mantilla-Meluk H, Armenteras-Pascual D. Home range and movements of Amazon river dolphins Inia geoffrensis in the Amazon and Orinoco river basins. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2021. [DOI: 10.3354/esr01133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Studying the variables that describe the spatial ecology of threatened species allows us to identify and prioritize areas that are critical for species conservation. To estimate the home range and core area of the Endangered (EN) Amazon river dolphin Inia geoffrensis, 23 individuals (6♀, 17♂) were tagged during the rising water period in the Amazon and Orinoco river basins between 2017 and 2018. The satellite tracking period ranged from 24 to 336 d (mean ± SE = 107 ± 15.7 d), and river dolphin movements ranged from 7.5 to 298 km (58 ± 13.4 km). Kernel density estimates were used to determine minimum home ranges at 95% (K95 = 6.2 to 233.9 km2; mean = 59 ± 13.5 km2) and core areas at 50% (K50 = 0.6 to 54.9 km2; mean = 9 ± 2.6 km2). Protected areas accounted for 45% of the K50 estimated core area. We observed dolphin individuals crossing country borders between Colombia and Peru in the Amazon basin, and between Colombia and Venezuela in the Orinoco basin. Satellite tracking allowed us to determine the different uses of riverine habitat types: main rivers (channels and bays, 52% of recorded locations), confluences (32%), lagoons (9.6%), and tributaries (6.2%). Satellite monitoring allowed us to better understand the ecological preferences of the species and demonstrated the importance of maintaining aquatic landscape heterogeneity and spatial connectivity for effective river dolphin conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Mosquera-Guerra
- Fundación Omacha, 111211 Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
- Grupo de Ecología del Paisaje y Modelación de Ecosistemas-ECOLMOD, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, 111321 Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
| | - F Trujillo
- Fundación Omacha, 111211 Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
| | - M Oliveira-da-Costa
- World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - Brazil, Colombia, and Peru, Rue Mauverney 28, 1196 Gland, Switzerland
| | - M Marmontel
- Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá, 69.553-225 Tefé (AM), Brazil
| | | | - N Franco
- Fundación Omacha, 111211 Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
| | - L Córdova
- Faunagua, 31001 Sacaba-Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - E Campbell
- ProDelphinus, 15074 Lima, Peru
- School of BioSciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, UK
- Carrera de Biología Marina, Universidad Cientifíca del Sur, 15067 Lima, Peru
| | - J Alfaro-Shigueto
- ProDelphinus, 15074 Lima, Peru
- School of BioSciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, UK
- Carrera de Biología Marina, Universidad Cientifíca del Sur, 15067 Lima, Peru
| | - JL Mena
- Museo de Historia Natural Vera Alleman Haeghebaert, Universidad Ricardo Palma, 1801 Lima, Peru
| | - JC Mangel
- ProDelphinus, 15074 Lima, Peru
- School of BioSciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, UK
- Carrera de Biología Marina, Universidad Cientifíca del Sur, 15067 Lima, Peru
| | - JSU Oviedo
- World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - Brazil, Colombia, and Peru, Rue Mauverney 28, 1196 Gland, Switzerland
| | - JD Carvajal-Castro
- Grupo de Investigación en Evolución, Ecología y Conservación (EECO), Programa de Biología, Universidad del Quindío, 630004 Armenia, Colombia
- Department of Biological Sciences, St. John’s University, 11366 Queens, NY, USA
| | - H Mantilla-Meluk
- Grupo de Investigación en Desarrollo y Estudio del Recurso Hídrico y el Ambiente (CIDERA), Programa de Biología, Universidad del Quindío, 630004 Armenia, Colombia
- Centro de Estudios de Alta Montaña, Universidad del Quindío, 630004 Armenia, Colombia
| | - D Armenteras-Pascual
- Grupo de Ecología del Paisaje y Modelación de Ecosistemas-ECOLMOD, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, 111321 Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
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Rudd JL, Bartolomeu T, Dolton HR, Exeter OM, Kerry C, Hawkes LA, Henderson SM, Shirley M, Witt MJ. Basking shark sub-surface behaviour revealed by animal-towed cameras. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253388. [PMID: 34320007 PMCID: PMC8318306 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
While biologging tags have answered a wealth of ecological questions, the drivers and consequences of movement and activity often remain difficult to ascertain, particularly marine vertebrates which are difficult to observe directly. Basking sharks, the second largest shark species in the world, aggregate in the summer in key foraging sites but despite advances in biologging technologies, little is known about their breeding ecology and sub-surface behaviour. Advances in camera technologies holds potential for filling in these knowledge gaps by providing environmental context and validating behaviours recorded with conventional telemetry. Six basking sharks were tagged at their feeding site in the Sea of Hebrides, Scotland, with towed cameras combined with time-depth recorders and satellite telemetry. Cameras recorded a cumulative 123 hours of video data over an average 64-hour deployment and confirmed the position of the sharks within the water column. Feeding events only occurred within a metre depth and made up ¾ of the time spent swimming near the surface. Sharks maintained similar tail beat frequencies regardless of whether feeding, swimming near the surface or the seabed, where they spent surprisingly up to 88% of daylight hours. This study reported the first complete breaching event and the first sub-surface putative courtship display, with nose-to-tail chasing, parallel swimming as well as the first observation of grouping behaviour near the seabed. Social groups of sharks are thought to be very short term and sporadic, and may play a role in finding breeding partners, particularly in solitary sharks which may use aggregations as an opportunity to breed. In situ observation of basking sharks at their seasonal aggregation site through animal borne cameras revealed unprecedented insight into the social and environmental context of basking shark behaviour which were previously limited to surface observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L. Rudd
- Hatherly Laboratories, University of Exeter, College of Life & Environmental Sciences, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | | | - Haley R. Dolton
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, United Kingdom
| | - Owen M. Exeter
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Kerry
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, United Kingdom
| | - Lucy A. Hawkes
- Hatherly Laboratories, University of Exeter, College of Life & Environmental Sciences, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Matthew J. Witt
- Hatherly Laboratories, University of Exeter, College of Life & Environmental Sciences, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, United Kingdom
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16
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Pilcher NJ, Antonopoulou MA, Rodriguez-Zarate CJ, Al-Sareeria TS, Baldwin R, Willson A, Willson MS. Wide-Scale Population Connectivity Revealed by Postnesting Migrations of Green Sea Turtles from Ras Al Hadd, Oman. CHELONIAN CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.2744/ccb-1462.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Robert Baldwin
- Five Oceans Environmental Services LLC, Muscat, Oman [; ]
| | - Andrew Willson
- Five Oceans Environmental Services LLC, Muscat, Oman [; ]
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17
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Martinez-Estevez L, Amador JPC, Amador FC, Zilliacus KM, Pacheco AM, Seminoff JA, Lucero J, Oceguera K, Tershy BR, Croll DA. Spatial ecology of hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) in foraging habitats of the Gulf of California, Mexico. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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18
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Lamont MM, Johnson D, Catizone DJ. Movements of marine and estuarine turtles during Hurricane Michael. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1577. [PMID: 33452383 PMCID: PMC7810867 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81234-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural disturbances are an important driver of population dynamics. Because it is difficult to observe wildlife during these events, our understanding of the strategies that species use to survive these disturbances is limited. On October 10, 2018, Hurricane Michael made landfall on Florida’s northwest coast. Using satellite and acoustic telemetry, we documented movements of 6 individual turtles: one loggerhead sea turtle, one Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, three green sea turtles and one diamondback terrapin, in a coastal bay located less than 30 km from hurricane landfall. Post-storm survival was confirmed for all but the Kemp’s ridley; the final condition of that individual remains unknown. No obvious movements were observed for the remaining turtles however the loggerhead used a larger home range in the week after the storm. This study highlights the resiliency of turtles in response to extreme weather conditions. However, long-term impacts to these species from habitat changes post-hurricane are unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret M Lamont
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, FL, 32653, USA.
| | - Darren Johnson
- Cherokee Nations Systems Solutions, Contracted to U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Lafayette, LA, 70506, USA
| | - Daniel J Catizone
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, FL, 32653, USA
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19
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Garzon F, Graham RT, Witt MJ, Hawkes LA. Ecological niche modeling reveals manta ray distribution and conservation priority areas in the Western Central Atlantic. Anim Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- F. Garzon
- MarAlliance Sal Rei Cabo Verde
- Hatherley Laboratories University of Exeter College of Life and Environmental Sciences Exeter UK
| | | | - M. J. Witt
- Hatherley Laboratories University of Exeter College of Life and Environmental Sciences Exeter UK
| | - L. A. Hawkes
- Hatherley Laboratories University of Exeter College of Life and Environmental Sciences Exeter UK
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20
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Dolton HR, Gell FR, Hall J, Hall G, Hawkes LA, Witt MJ. Assessing the importance of Isle of Man waters for the basking shark Cetorhinus maximus. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2020. [DOI: 10.3354/esr01018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Satellite tracking of endangered or threatened animals can facilitate informed conservation by revealing priority areas for their protection. Basking sharks Cetorhinus maximus (n = 11) were tagged during the summers of 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017 in the Isle of Man (IoM; median tracking duration 378 d, range: 89-804 d; median minimum straight-line distance travelled 541 km, range: 170-10406 km). Tracking revealed 3 movement patterns: (1) coastal movements within IoM and Irish waters, (2) summer northward movements to Scotland and (3) international movements to Morocco and Norway. One tagged shark was bycaught and released alive in the Celtic Sea. Basking sharks displayed inter-annual site fidelity to the Irish Sea (n = 3), a Marine Nature Reserve (MNR) in IoM waters (n = 1), and Moroccan waters (n = 1). Core distribution areas (50% kernel density estimation) of 5 satellite tracked sharks in IoM waters were compared with 3902 public sightings between 2005 and 2017, highlighting west and south coast hotspots. Location data gathered from satellite tagging broadly correspond to the current boundaries of MNRs in IoM waters. However, minor modifications of some MNR boundaries would incorporate ~20% more satellite tracking location data from this study, and protective measures for basking sharks in IoM waters could further aid conservation of the species at local, regional and international scales. We also show the first documented movement of a basking shark from the British Isles to Norway, and the longest ever track for a tagged basking shark (2 yr and 2 mo, 804 d).
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Affiliation(s)
- HR Dolton
- University of Exeter College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hatherly Laboratories, Prince of Wales Road, Exeter EX4 4PS, UK
- University of Exeter, Environment and Sustainability Institute, Penryn Campus, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - FR Gell
- Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St John’s IM4 3AS, Isle of Man
| | - J Hall
- Manx Basking Shark Watch, Glenchass Farmhouse, Port St Mary IM9 5PJ, Isle of Man
| | - G Hall
- Manx Basking Shark Watch, Glenchass Farmhouse, Port St Mary IM9 5PJ, Isle of Man
| | - LA Hawkes
- University of Exeter College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hatherly Laboratories, Prince of Wales Road, Exeter EX4 4PS, UK
| | - MJ Witt
- University of Exeter College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hatherly Laboratories, Prince of Wales Road, Exeter EX4 4PS, UK
- University of Exeter, Environment and Sustainability Institute, Penryn Campus, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
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21
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Tracking foraging green turtles in the Republic of the Congo: insights into spatial ecology from a data poor region. ORYX 2020. [DOI: 10.1017/s0030605319000309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractGlobally, marine turtles are considered threatened throughout their range, and therefore conservation practitioners are increasingly investing resources in marine protected areas to protect key life history stages and critical habitats, including foraging grounds, nesting beaches and inter-nesting areas. Empirical data on the distribution of these habitats and/or the spatial ecology and behaviour of individuals of many marine turtle populations are often lacking, undermining conservation efforts, particularly along the Atlantic coast of Africa. Here we contribute to the knowledge base in this region by describing patterns of habitat use for nine green turtles Chelonia mydas tagged with satellite platform transmitter terminals at a foraging ground in Loango Bay, Republic of the Congo, one of only a few documented mainland foraging grounds for marine turtles in Central Africa. Analyses of these data revealed that core areas of habitat use and occupancy for a wide range of size/age classes were restricted to shallow waters adjacent to Pointe Indienne in Loango Bay, with most individuals showing periods of high fidelity to this area. These data are timely given the Congolese government recently announced its intention to create a marine conservation zone to protect marine turtles in Loango Bay. Despite the small sample size of this study, these data exemplify the need for comprehensive strategies that span national jurisdictions, as we provide the first documented evidence of linkages between green turtle foraging sites in Central Africa (Loango Bay, Republic of the Congo) and Southern Africa (Mussulo Bay, Angola).
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22
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Felis JJ, Adams J, Hodum PJ, Carle RD, Colodro V. Eastern Pacific migration strategies of pink-footed shearwaters Ardenna creatopus: implications for fisheries interactions and international conservation. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2019. [DOI: 10.3354/esr00969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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23
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Littles CJ, Bonde RK, Butler SM, Jacoby CA, Notestein SK, Reid JP, Slone DH, Frazer TK. COASTAL HABITAT CHANGE AND MARINE MEGAFAUNA BEHAVIOR: FLORIDA MANATEES ENCOUNTERING REDUCED FOOD PROVISIONS IN A PROMINENT WINTER REFUGE. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2019; 38:29-43. [PMID: 31105796 DOI: 10.3354/esr00933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A decline in submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) within Florida's spring-fed, thermal refuges raises questions about how these systems support winter foraging of Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris). We analyzed telemetry data for 12 manatees over seven years to assess their use of Kings Bay, a winter refuge with diminished SAV. After accounting for the effect of water temperature, we hypothesized that the number of trips out of Kings Bay would increase and the time wintering manatees spent in Kings Bay would decrease. Trips out of and into Kings Bay also were compared to assess potential influences on exiting or entering. There were no detectable differences in the number of trips out of the bay or overall time manatees spent in Kings Bay across winters. The percentage of time water temperatures were below 20°C was the single best predictor of increased time spent in Kings Bay. Trips out of Kings Bay were more likely to occur after 12:00 h and during a high but ebbing tide, compared to trips into the bay. Nine manatees tracked for longer than 75 days in winter spent 7-57% of their time in the Gulf of Mexico, and three of these manatees spent 7-65% of the winter >80 km from the mouth of Kings Bay. Results suggest the low amount of SAV in Kings Bay does not obviate its use by manatees, though there are likely tradeoffs for manatees regularly foraging elsewhere. Accounting for movements of Florida manatees through a network of habitats may improve management strategies and facilitate desirable conservation outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanda J Littles
- School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Robert K Bonde
- Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Gainesville, FL 32653, USA
| | - Susan M Butler
- Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Gainesville, FL 32653, USA
| | - Charles A Jacoby
- Soil and Water Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Sky K Notestein
- Southwest Florida Water Management District, Brooksville, FL 34606, USA
| | - James P Reid
- Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Gainesville, FL 32653, USA
| | - Daniel H Slone
- Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Gainesville, FL 32653, USA
| | - Thomas K Frazer
- School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
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24
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Rozylowicz L, Bodescu FP, Ciocanea CM, Gavrilidis AA, Manolache S, Matache ML, Miu IV, Moale IC, Nita A, Popescu VD. Empirical analysis and modeling of Argos Doppler location errors in Romania. PeerJ 2019; 7:e6362. [PMID: 30723631 PMCID: PMC6360076 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Advances in wildlife tracking technology have allowed researchers to understand the spatial ecology of many terrestrial and aquatic animal species. Argos Doppler is a technology that is widely used for wildlife tracking owing to the small size and low weight of the Argos transmitters. This allows them to be fitted to small-bodied species. The longer lifespan of the Argos units in comparison to units outfitted with miniaturized global positioning system (GPS) technology has also recommended their use. In practice, large Argos location errors often occur due to communication conditions such as transmitter settings, local environment, and the behavior of the tracked individual. Methods Considering the geographic specificity of errors and the lack of benchmark studies in Eastern Europe, the research objectives were: (1) to evaluate the accuracy of Argos Doppler technology under various environmental conditions in Romania, (2) to investigate the effectiveness of straightforward destructive filters for improving Argos Doppler data quality, and (3) to provide guidelines for processing Argos Doppler wildlife monitoring data. The errors associated with Argos locations in four geographic locations in Romania were assessed during static, low-speed and high-speed tests. The effectiveness of the Douglas Argos distance angle filter algorithm was then evaluated to ascertain its effect on the minimization of localization errors. Results Argos locations received in the tests had larger associated horizontal errors than those indicated by the operator of the Argos system, including under ideal reception conditions. Positional errors were similar to those obtained in other studies outside of Europe. The errors were anisotropic, with larger longitudinal errors for the vast majority of the data. Errors were mostly related to speed of the Argos transmitter at the time of reception, but other factors such as topographical conditions and orientation of antenna at the time of the transmission also contributed to receiving low-quality data. The Douglas Argos filter successfully excluded the largest errors while retaining a large amount of data when the threshold was set to the local scale (two km). Discussion Filter selection requires knowledge about the movement patterns and behavior of the species of interest, and the parametrization of the selected filter typically requires a trial and error approach. Selecting the proper filter reduces the errors while retaining a large amount of data. However, the post-processed data typically includes large positional errors; thus, we recommend incorporating Argos error metrics (e.g., error ellipse) or use complex modeling approaches when working with filtered data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurentiu Rozylowicz
- Center for Environmental Research and Impact Studies, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Cristiana M Ciocanea
- Center for Environmental Research and Impact Studies, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Steluta Manolache
- Center for Environmental Research and Impact Studies, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Marius L Matache
- Center for Environmental Research and Impact Studies, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Iulia V Miu
- Center for Environmental Research and Impact Studies, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Andreea Nita
- Center for Environmental Research and Impact Studies, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Viorel D Popescu
- Center for Environmental Research and Impact Studies, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
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25
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Cerritelli G, Bianco G, Santini G, Broderick AC, Godley BJ, Hays GC, Luschi P, Åkesson S. Assessing reliance on vector navigation in the long-distance oceanic migrations of green sea turtles. Behav Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/ary166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Giacomo Santini
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | | | - Brendan J Godley
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall, UK
| | | | - Paolo Luschi
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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26
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Sergio F, Tanferna A, Blas J, Blanco G, Hiraldo F. Reliable methods for identifying animal deaths in
GPS
‐ and satellite‐tracking data: Review, testing, and calibration. J Appl Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Sergio
- Department of Conservation BiologyEstación Biológica de Doñana ‐ CSIC Seville Spain
| | - Alessandro Tanferna
- Department of Conservation BiologyEstación Biológica de Doñana ‐ CSIC Seville Spain
| | - Julio Blas
- Department of Conservation BiologyEstación Biológica de Doñana ‐ CSIC Seville Spain
| | - Guillermo Blanco
- Department of Evolutionary EcologyMuseum of Natural SciencesCSIC Madrid Spain
| | - Fernando Hiraldo
- Department of Conservation BiologyEstación Biológica de Doñana ‐ CSIC Seville Spain
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Casale P, Broderick AC, Camiñas JA, Cardona L, Carreras C, Demetropoulos A, Fuller WJ, Godley BJ, Hochscheid S, Kaska Y, Lazar B, Margaritoulis D, Panagopoulou A, Rees AF, Tomás J, Türkozan O. Mediterranean sea turtles: current knowledge and priorities for conservation and research. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2018. [DOI: 10.3354/esr00901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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First insights into the movements of young-of-the-year white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) in the western North Atlantic Ocean. Sci Rep 2018; 8:10794. [PMID: 30018411 PMCID: PMC6050330 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29180-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) have become more accessible to researchers off the northeastern U.S. as feeding aggregation sites have emerged and the population has increased. However, there has been limited research on young-of-the-year (YOY) sharks relative to older age classes in this region. Previous research indicated that YOY white sharks were most frequently observed in the New York Bight, suggesting the region serves a nursery role. To further examine the species’ use of this area, we deployed satellite and acoustic tags on ten YOY white sharks (138–166 cm total length) off Long Island, New York. The sharks remained resident in New York Bight waters through summer (August through October), further supporting the notion that the region is a nursery area. Southward movements were observed during fall, with overwintering habitat identified off North and South Carolina shelf waters. Return migrations toward the New York Bight were observed in some individuals the following spring. YOY white sharks in this heavily-populated region are exposed to anthropogenic impacts such as fisheries bycatch and coastal habitat degradation. As juvenile survival rates are important for long-term population sustainability, further research is necessary to assess the potential impacts of these activities on the western North Atlantic white shark population.
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29
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Kenyon KA, Yurkowski DJ, Orr J, Barber D, Ferguson SH. Baffin Bay narwhal (Monodon monoceros) select bathymetry over sea ice during winter. Polar Biol 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-018-2345-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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30
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Braun CD, Galuardi B, Thorrold SR. HMMoce: An R package for improved geolocation of archival‐tagged fishes using a hidden Markov method. Methods Ecol Evol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.12959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Camrin D. Braun
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology‐Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program in Oceanography/Applied Ocean Science and Engineering Cambridge MA USA
- Biology DepartmentWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution Woods Hole MA USA
| | - Benjamin Galuardi
- School of Marine Science and TechnologyUniversity of Massachusetts Dartmouth Fairhaven MA USA
- Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries OfficeNational Marine Fisheries ServiceNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Gloucester MA USA
| | - Simon R. Thorrold
- Biology DepartmentWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution Woods Hole MA USA
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31
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Briscoe DK, Parker DM, Balazs GH, Kurita M, Saito T, Okamoto H, Rice M, Polovina JJ, Crowder LB. Active dispersal in loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) during the 'lost years'. Proc Biol Sci 2017; 283:rspb.2016.0690. [PMID: 27252021 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.0690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Highly migratory marine species can travel long distances and across entire ocean basins to reach foraging and breeding grounds, yet gaps persist in our knowledge of oceanic dispersal and habitat use. This is especially true for sea turtles, whose complex life history and lengthy pelagic stage present unique conservation challenges. Few studies have explored how these young at-sea turtles navigate their environment, but advancements in satellite technology and numerical models have shown that active and passive movements are used in relation to open ocean features. Here, we provide the first study, to the best of our knowledge, to simultaneously combine a high-resolution physical forcing ocean circulation model with long-term multi-year tracking data of young, trans-oceanic North Pacific loggerhead sea turtles during their 'lost years' at sea. From 2010 to 2014, we compare simulated trajectories of passive transport with empirical data of 1-3 year old turtles released off Japan (29.7-37.5 straight carapace length cm). After several years, the at-sea distribution of simulated current-driven trajectories significantly differed from that of the observed turtle tracks. These results underscore current theories on active dispersal by young oceanic-stage sea turtles and give further weight to hypotheses of juvenile foraging strategies for this species. Such information can also provide critical geographical information for spatially explicit conservation approaches to this endangered population.
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Affiliation(s)
- D K Briscoe
- Biology, Stanford University, Hopkins Marine Station, 120 Oceanview Boulevard, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
| | - D M Parker
- Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2032 Southeast Oregon State University Drive, Newport, OR 97365, USA
| | - G H Balazs
- Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Inouye Regional Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1845 WASP Boulevard Building 176, Honolulu, HI 96818, USA
| | - M Kurita
- Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium, Minato-ku, Nagoya 455-0033, Japan
| | - T Saito
- Usa Marine Biological Institute, Kochi University, Usa Tosa, Kochi 781-1164, Japan
| | - H Okamoto
- Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium, Minato-ku, Nagoya 455-0033, Japan
| | - M Rice
- Hawaii Preparatory Academy, 65-1692 Kohala Mountain Road, Kamuela, HI 96743, USA
| | - J J Polovina
- Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium, Minato-ku, Nagoya 455-0033, Japan
| | - L B Crowder
- Biology, Stanford University, Hopkins Marine Station, 120 Oceanview Boulevard, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA Center for Ocean Solutions, Stanford University, 99 Pacific Street, Suite 555E, Monterey, CA 93949, USA
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32
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Wilson M, Tucker AD, Beedholm K, Mann DA. Changes of loggerhead turtle ( Caretta caretta) dive behavior associated with tropical storm passage during the inter-nesting period. J Exp Biol 2017; 220:3432-3441. [PMID: 28754715 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.162644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
To improve conservation strategies for threatened sea turtles, more knowledge on their ecology, behavior, and how they cope with severe and changing weather conditions is needed. Satellite and animal motion datalogging tags were used to study the inter-nesting behavior of two female loggerhead turtles in the Gulf of Mexico, which regularly has hurricanes and tropical storms during nesting season. We contrast the behavioral patterns and swimming energetics of these two turtles, the first tracked in calm weather and the second tracked before, during and after a tropical storm. Turtle 1 was highly active and swam at the surface or submerged 95% of the time during the entire inter-nesting period, with a high estimated specific oxygen consumption rate (0.95 ml min-1 kg-0.83). Turtle 2 was inactive for most of the first 9 days of the inter-nesting period, during which she rested at the bottom (80% of the time) with low estimated oxygen consumption (0.62 ml min-1 kg-0.83). Midway through the inter-nesting period, turtle 2 encountered a tropical storm and became highly active (swimming 88% of the time during and 95% after the storm). Her oxygen consumption increased significantly to 0.97 ml min-1 kg-0.83 during and 0.98 ml min-1 kg-0.83 after the storm. However, despite the tropical storm, turtle 2 returned to the nesting beach, where she successfully re-nested 75 m from her previous nest. Thus, the tropical storm had a minor effect on this female's individual nesting success, even though the storm caused 90% loss nests at Casey Key.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Wilson
- Sound and Behaviour Group, Institute of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Anton D Tucker
- Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA.,Department of Parks and Wildlife, Marine Science Program, 17 Dick Perry Avenue, Kensington, WA 6151, Australia
| | - Kristian Beedholm
- Zoophysiology, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - David A Mann
- Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA.,Loggerhead Instruments, Sarasota, FL 34238, USA
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Shaver DJ, Hart KM, Fujisaki I, Bucklin D, Iverson AR, Rubio C, Backof TF, Burchfield PM, de Jesus Gonzales Diaz Miron R, Dutton PH, Frey A, Peña J, Gomez Gamez D, Martinez HJ, Ortiz J. Inter-nesting movements and habitat-use of adult female Kemp's ridley turtles in the Gulf of Mexico. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174248. [PMID: 28319178 PMCID: PMC5358874 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Species vulnerability is increased when individuals congregate in restricted areas for breeding; yet, breeding habitats are not well defined for many marine species. Identification and quantification of these breeding habitats are essential to effective conservation. Satellite telemetry and switching state-space modeling (SSM) were used to define inter-nesting habitat of endangered Kemp’s ridley turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) in the Gulf of Mexico. Turtles were outfitted with satellite transmitters after nesting at Padre Island National Seashore, Texas, USA, from 1998 through 2013 (n = 60); Rancho Nuevo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, during 2010 and 2011 (n = 11); and Tecolutla, Veracruz, Mexico, during 2012 and 2013 (n = 11). These sites span the range of nearly all nesting by this species. Inter-nesting habitat lies in a narrow band of nearshore western Gulf of Mexico waters in the USA and Mexico, with mean water depth of 14 to 19 m within a mean distance to shore of 6 to 11 km as estimated by 50% kernel density estimate, α-Hull, and minimum convex polygon methodologies. Turtles tracked during the inter-nesting period moved, on average, 17.5 km/day and a mean total distance of 398 km. Mean home ranges occupied were 725 to 2948 km2. Our results indicate that these nearshore western Gulf waters represent critical inter-nesting habitat for this species, where threats such as shrimp trawling and oil and gas platforms also occur. Up to half of all adult female Kemp’s ridleys occupy this habitat for weeks to months during each nesting season. Because inter-nesting habitat for this species is concentrated in nearshore waters of the western Gulf of Mexico in both Mexico and the USA, international collaboration is needed to protect this essential habitat and the turtles occurring within it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna J. Shaver
- National Park Service, Padre Island National Seashore, Corpus Christi, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Kristen M. Hart
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Davie, Florida, United States of America
| | - Ikuko Fujisaki
- University of Florida, Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Davie, Florida, United States of America
| | - David Bucklin
- University of Florida, Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Davie, Florida, United States of America
| | - Autumn R. Iverson
- Cherokee Nation Technologies, contracted to U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Davie, Florida, United States of America
| | - Cynthia Rubio
- National Park Service, Padre Island National Seashore, Corpus Christi, Texas, United States of America
| | - Thomas F. Backof
- National Park Service, Padre Island National Seashore, Corpus Christi, Texas, United States of America
| | | | | | - Peter H. Dutton
- National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Amy Frey
- National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Jaime Peña
- Gladys Porter Zoo, Brownsville, Texas, United States of America
| | | | | | - Jaime Ortiz
- Gladys Porter Zoo, Brownsville, Texas, United States of America
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34
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Home Range and Movement Patterns of Subadult Hawksbill Sea Turtles in Southeast Florida. J HERPETOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1670/15-133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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35
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Rees ALF, Carreras C, Broderick AC, Margaritoulis D, Stringell TB, Godley BJ. Linking loggerhead locations: using multiple methods to determine the origin of sea turtles in feeding grounds. MARINE BIOLOGY 2017; 164:30. [PMID: 28133395 PMCID: PMC5236075 DOI: 10.1007/s00227-016-3055-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Many marine megavertebrate taxa, including sea turtles, disperse widely from their hatching or birthing locations but display natal homing as adults. We used flipper tagging, satellite tracking and genetics to identify the origin of loggerhead turtles living in Amvrakikos Gulf, Greece. This location has been identified as hosting regionally important numbers of large-juvenile to adult sized turtles that display long-term residency and/or association to the area, and also presents a male biased sex ratio for adults. A total of 20 individuals were linked to nesting areas in Greece through flipper tagging and satellite telemetry, with the majority (16) associated with Zakynthos Island. One additional female was tracked from Amvrakikos Gulf to Turkey where she likely nested. Mitochondrial DNA mixed stock analyses of turtles captured in Amvrakikos Gulf (n = 95) indicated 82% of individuals originated from Greek nesting stocks, mainly from Zakynthos Island (63%), with lesser contributions from central Turkey, Cyprus and Libya. These results suggest that the male-biased sex ratio found in Amvrakikos Gulf may be driven by the fact that males breed twice as frequently on Zakynthos, resulting in their using foraging grounds of greater proximity to the breeding site. Conservation measures in localised foraging habitats for the protection of marine vertebrates, such as sea turtles, may have positive impacts on several disparate breeding stocks and the use of multiple methods to determine source populations can indicate the relative effectiveness of these measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- ALan F. Rees
- ARCHELON, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece, Solomou 57, 104 32 Athens, Greece
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE UK
| | - Carlos Carreras
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE UK
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics and IRBio, University of Barcelona, Av.Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Annette C. Broderick
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE UK
| | - Dimitris Margaritoulis
- ARCHELON, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece, Solomou 57, 104 32 Athens, Greece
| | - Thomas B. Stringell
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE UK
| | - Brendan J. Godley
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE UK
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36
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Mate BR, Irvine LM, Palacios DM. The development of an intermediate-duration tag to characterize the diving behavior of large whales. Ecol Evol 2016; 7:585-595. [PMID: 28116055 PMCID: PMC5243192 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2016] [Revised: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of high-resolution archival tag technologies has revolutionized our understanding of diving behavior in marine taxa such as sharks, turtles, and seals during their wide-ranging movements. However, similar applications for large whales have lagged behind due to the difficulty of keeping tags on the animals for extended periods of time. Here, we present a novel configuration of a transdermally attached biologging device called the Advanced Dive Behavior (ADB) tag. The ADB tag contains sensors that record hydrostatic pressure, three-axis accelerometers, magnetometers, water temperature, and light level, all sampled at 1 Hz. The ADB tag also collects Fastloc GPS locations and can send dive summary data through Service Argos, while staying attached to a whale for typical periods of 3-7 weeks before releasing for recovery and subsequent data download. ADB tags were deployed on sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus; N = 46), blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus; N = 8), and fin whales (B. physalus; N = 5) from 2007 to 2015, resulting in attachment durations from 0 to 49.6 days, and recording 31 to 2,539 GPS locations and 27 to 2,918 dives per deployment. Archived dive profiles matched well with published dive shapes of each species from short-term records. For blue and fin whales, feeding lunges were detected using peaks in accelerometer data and matched corresponding vertical excursions in the depth record. In sperm whales, rapid orientation changes in the accelerometer data, often during the bottom phase of dives, were likely related to prey pursuit, representing a relative measure of foraging effort. Sperm whales were documented repeatedly diving to, and likely foraging along, the seafloor. Data from the temperature sensor described the vertical structure of the water column in all three species, extending from the surface to depths >1,600 m. In addition to providing information needed to construct multiweek time budgets, the ADB tag is well suited to studying the effects of anthropogenic sound on whales by allowing for pre- and post-exposure monitoring of the whale's dive behavior. This tag begins to bridge the gap between existing long-duration but low-data throughput tags, and short-duration, high-resolution data loggers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce R Mate
- Marine Mammal Institute and Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Oregon State University Newport OR USA
| | - Ladd M Irvine
- Marine Mammal Institute and Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Oregon State University Newport OR USA
| | - Daniel M Palacios
- Marine Mammal Institute and Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Oregon State University Newport OR USA
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37
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Understanding Forest Health with Remote Sensing -Part I—A Review of Spectral Traits, Processes and Remote-Sensing Characteristics. REMOTE SENSING 2016. [DOI: 10.3390/rs8121029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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38
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Hammerschlag N, Bell I, Fitzpatrick R, Gallagher AJ, Hawkes LA, Meekan MG, Stevens JD, Thums M, Witt MJ, Barnett A. Behavioral evidence suggests facultative scavenging by a marine apex predator during a food pulse. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-016-2183-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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39
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Tesson SV, Okamura B, Dudaniec RY, Vyverman W, Löndahl J, Rushing C, Valentini A, Green AJ. Integrating microorganism and macroorganism dispersal: modes, techniques and challenges with particular focus on co-dispersal. ECOSCIENCE 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/11956860.2016.1148458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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40
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Snape RTE, Broderick AC, Çiçek BA, Fuller WJ, Glen F, Stokes K, Godley BJ. Shelf life: neritic habitat use of a turtle population highly threatened by fisheries. DIVERS DISTRIB 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Robin T. E. Snape
- Marine Turtle Research Group Centre for Ecology and Conservation College of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Exeter Penryn Campus Cornwall TR10 9FE UK
- Society for Protection of Turtles PK.65 Kyrenia North Cyprus Mersin 10 Turkey
| | - Annette C. Broderick
- Marine Turtle Research Group Centre for Ecology and Conservation College of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Exeter Penryn Campus Cornwall TR10 9FE UK
| | - Burak A. Çiçek
- Underwater Research and Imaging Centre Biological Sciences Department Eastern Mediterranean University Famagusta North Cyprus Mersin 10 Turkey
| | - Wayne J. Fuller
- Society for Protection of Turtles PK.65 Kyrenia North Cyprus Mersin 10 Turkey
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Near East University North Cyprus Mersin 10 Turkey
| | - Fiona Glen
- Society for Protection of Turtles PK.65 Kyrenia North Cyprus Mersin 10 Turkey
| | - Kimberley Stokes
- Marine Turtle Research Group Centre for Ecology and Conservation College of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Exeter Penryn Campus Cornwall TR10 9FE UK
| | - Brendan J. Godley
- Marine Turtle Research Group Centre for Ecology and Conservation College of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Exeter Penryn Campus Cornwall TR10 9FE UK
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41
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Christin S, St-Laurent MH, Berteaux D. Evaluation of Argos Telemetry Accuracy in the High-Arctic and Implications for the Estimation of Home-Range Size. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0141999. [PMID: 26545245 PMCID: PMC4636246 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0141999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal tracking through Argos satellite telemetry has enormous potential to test hypotheses in animal behavior, evolutionary ecology, or conservation biology. Yet the applicability of this technique cannot be fully assessed because no clear picture exists as to the conditions influencing the accuracy of Argos locations. Latitude, type of environment, and transmitter movement are among the main candidate factors affecting accuracy. A posteriori data filtering can remove “bad” locations, but again testing is still needed to refine filters. First, we evaluate experimentally the accuracy of Argos locations in a polar terrestrial environment (Nunavut, Canada), with both static and mobile transmitters transported by humans and coupled to GPS transmitters. We report static errors among the lowest published. However, the 68th error percentiles of mobile transmitters were 1.7 to 3.8 times greater than those of static transmitters. Second, we test how different filtering methods influence the quality of Argos location datasets. Accuracy of location datasets was best improved when filtering in locations of the best classes (LC3 and 2), while the Douglas Argos filter and a homemade speed filter yielded similar performance while retaining more locations. All filters effectively reduced the 68th error percentiles. Finally, we assess how location error impacted, at six spatial scales, two common estimators of home-range size (a proxy of animal space use behavior synthetizing movements), the minimum convex polygon and the fixed kernel estimator. Location error led to a sometimes dramatic overestimation of home-range size, especially at very local scales. We conclude that Argos telemetry is appropriate to study medium-size terrestrial animals in polar environments, but recommend that location errors are always measured and evaluated against research hypotheses, and that data are always filtered before analysis. How movement speed of transmitters affects location error needs additional research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Christin
- Chaire de recherche du Canada en biodiversité nordique and Center for Northern Studies, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Québec, Canada
| | - Martin-Hugues St-Laurent
- Département de Biologie, Chimie et Géographie, Center for Northern Studies and Centre for Forest Research, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Canada
| | - Dominique Berteaux
- Chaire de recherche du Canada en biodiversité nordique and Center for Northern Studies, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Québec, Canada
- * E-mail:
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42
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Plessis JJD, Avenant NL, Waal HD. Quality and Quantity of the Scientific Information Available on Black-Backed Jackals and Caracals: Contributing to Human—Predator Conflict Management? AFRICAN JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2015. [DOI: 10.3957/056.045.0138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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43
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Hammerschlag N, Broderick AC, Coker JW, Coyne MS, Dodd M, Frick MG, Godfrey MH, Godley BJ, Griffin DB, Hartog K, Murphy SR, Murphy TM, Nelson ER, Williams KL, Witt MJ, Hawkes LA. Evaluating the landscape of fear between apex predatory sharks and mobile sea turtles across a large dynamic seascape. Ecology 2015; 96:2117-26. [DOI: 10.1890/14-2113.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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44
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The Argos-CLS Kalman Filter: Error Structures and State-Space Modelling Relative to Fastloc GPS Data. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0124754. [PMID: 25905640 PMCID: PMC4408085 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0124754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2014] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding how an animal utilises its surroundings requires its movements through space to be described accurately. Satellite telemetry is the only means of acquiring movement data for many species however data are prone to varying amounts of spatial error; the recent application of state-space models (SSMs) to the location estimation problem have provided a means to incorporate spatial errors when characterising animal movements. The predominant platform for collecting satellite telemetry data on free-ranging animals, Service Argos, recently provided an alternative Doppler location estimation algorithm that is purported to be more accurate and generate a greater number of locations that its predecessor. We provide a comprehensive assessment of this new estimation process performance on data from free-ranging animals relative to concurrently collected Fastloc GPS data. Additionally, we test the efficacy of three readily-available SSM in predicting the movement of two focal animals. Raw Argos location estimates generated by the new algorithm were greatly improved compared to the old system. Approximately twice as many Argos locations were derived compared to GPS on the devices used. Root Mean Square Errors (RMSE) for each optimal SSM were less than 4.25km with some producing RMSE of less than 2.50km. Differences in the biological plausibility of the tracks between the two focal animals used to investigate the utility of SSM highlights the importance of considering animal behaviour in movement studies. The ability to reprocess Argos data collected since 2008 with the new algorithm should permit questions of animal movement to be revisited at a finer resolution.
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45
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Hart CE, Blanco GS, Coyne MS, Delgado-Trejo C, Godley BJ, Jones TT, Resendiz A, Seminoff JA, Witt MJ, Nichols WJ. Multinational tagging efforts illustrate regional scale of distribution and threats for east pacific green turtles (Chelonia mydas agassizii). PLoS One 2015; 10:e0116225. [PMID: 25646803 PMCID: PMC4315605 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0116225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
To further describe movement patterns and distribution of East Pacific green turtles (Chelonia mydas agassizii) and to determine threat levels for this species within the Eastern Pacific. In order to do this we combined published data from existing flipper tagging and early satellite tracking studies with data from an additional 12 satellite tracked green turtles (1996-2006). Three of these were tracked from their foraging grounds in the Gulf of California along the east coast of the Baja California peninsula to their breeding grounds in Michoacán (1337-2928 km). In addition, three post-nesting females were satellite tracked from Colola beach, Michoacán to their foraging grounds in southern Mexico and Central America (941.3-3020 km). A further six turtles were tracked in the Gulf of California within their foraging grounds giving insights into the scale of ranging behaviour. Turtles undertaking long-distance migrations showed a tendency to follow the coastline. Turtles tracked within foraging grounds showed that foraging individuals typically ranged up to 691.6 km (maximum) from release site location. Additionally, we carried out threat analysis (using the cumulative global human impact in the Eastern Pacific) clustering pre-existing satellite tracking studies from Galapagos, Costa Rica, and data obtained from this study; this indicated that turtles foraging and nesting in Central American waters are subject to the highest anthropogenic impact. Considering that turtles from all three rookeries were found to migrate towards Central America, it is highly important to implement conservation plans in Central American coastal areas to ensure the survival of the remaining green turtles in the Eastern Pacific. Finally, by combining satellite tracking data from this and previous studies, and data of tag returns we created the best available distributional patterns for this particular sea turtle species, which emphasized that conservation measures in key areas may have positive consequences on a regional scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine E. Hart
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, United Kingdom
| | - Gabriela S. Blanco
- Biology Department, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Michael S. Coyne
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, United Kingdom
- SEATURTLE.org, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Carlos Delgado-Trejo
- Instituto de Investigaciones sobre los Recursos Naturales, Universidad Michoacána de San Nicolas de Hidalgo, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
| | - Brendan J. Godley
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, United Kingdom
| | - T. Todd Jones
- NOAA Fisheries, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
| | - Antonio Resendiz
- Instituto Nacional de Ecología, Dirección General de Vida Silvestre, Secretaria de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Jeffrey A. Seminoff
- NOAA—National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Matthew J. Witt
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, United Kingdom
| | - Wallace J. Nichols
- California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Wensveen PJ, Thomas L, Miller PJO. A path reconstruction method integrating dead-reckoning and position fixes applied to humpback whales. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2015; 3:31. [PMID: 26392865 PMCID: PMC4576411 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-015-0061-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 09/06/2015] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Detailed information about animal location and movement is often crucial in studies of natural behaviour and how animals respond to anthropogenic activities. Dead-reckoning can be used to infer such detailed information, but without additional positional data this method results in uncertainty that grows with time. Combining dead-reckoning with new Fastloc-GPS technology should provide good opportunities for reconstructing georeferenced fine-scale tracks, and should be particularly useful for marine animals that spend most of their time under water. We developed a computationally efficient, Bayesian state-space modelling technique to estimate humpback whale locations through time, integrating dead-reckoning using on-animal sensors with measurements of whale locations using on-animal Fastloc-GPS and visual observations. Positional observation models were based upon error measurements made during calibrations. RESULTS High-resolution 3-dimensional movement tracks were produced for 13 whales using a simple process model in which errors caused by water current movements, non-location sensor errors, and other dead-reckoning errors were accumulated into a combined error term. Positional uncertainty quantified by the track reconstruction model was much greater for tracks with visual positions and few or no GPS positions, indicating a strong benefit to using Fastloc-GPS for track reconstruction. Compared to tracks derived only from position fixes, the inclusion of dead-reckoning data greatly improved the level of detail in the reconstructed tracks of humpback whales. Using cross-validation, a clear improvement in the predictability of out-of-set Fastloc-GPS data was observed compared to more conventional track reconstruction methods. Fastloc-GPS observation errors during calibrations were found to vary by number of GPS satellites received and by orthogonal dimension analysed; visual observation errors varied most by distance to the whale. CONCLUSIONS By systematically accounting for the observation errors in the position fixes, our model provides a quantitative estimate of location uncertainty that can be appropriately incorporated into analyses of animal movement. This generic method has potential application for a wide range of marine animal species and data recording systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J. Wensveen
- />Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 8LB UK
| | - Len Thomas
- />Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9LZ UK
| | - Patrick J. O. Miller
- />Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 8LB UK
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Whittock PA, Pendoley KL, Hamann M. Inter-nesting distribution of flatback turtles Natator depressus and industrial development in Western Australia. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2014. [DOI: 10.3354/esr00628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Dujon AM, Lindstrom RT, Hays GC. The accuracy of Fastloc‐
GPS
locations and implications for animal tracking. Methods Ecol Evol 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.12286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Antoine M. Dujon
- Centre for Integrative Ecology School of Life and Environmental Sciences Deakin University Warrnambool Vic. 3280 Australia
| | - R. Todd Lindstrom
- Wildlife Computers 8345 154th Avenue NE Redmond Washington 98052 USA
| | - Graeme C. Hays
- Centre for Integrative Ecology School of Life and Environmental Sciences Deakin University Warrnambool Vic. 3280 Australia
- Department of Biosciences Swansea University Singleton Park Swansea SA2 8PP UK
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Arcalís-Planas A, Sveegaard S, Karlsson O, Harding KC, Wåhlin A, Harkonen T, Teilmann J. Limited use of sea ice by the Ross seal (Ommatophoca rossii), in Amundsen Sea, Antarctica, using telemetry and remote sensing data. Polar Biol 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-014-1602-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Hart KM, Lamont MM, Sartain AR, Fujisaki I. Migration, foraging, and residency patterns for Northern Gulf loggerheads: implications of local threats and international movements. PLoS One 2014; 9:e103453. [PMID: 25076053 PMCID: PMC4116210 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2014] [Accepted: 06/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Northern Gulf of Mexico (NGoM) loggerheads (Caretta caretta) make up one of the smallest subpopulations of this threatened species and have declining nest numbers. We used satellite telemetry and a switching state-space model to identify distinct foraging areas used by 59 NGoM loggerheads tagged during 2010–2013. We tagged turtles after nesting at three sites, 1 in Alabama (Gulf Shores; n = 37) and 2 in Florida (St. Joseph Peninsula; n = 20 and Eglin Air Force Base; n = 2). Peak migration time was 22 July to 9 August during which >40% of turtles were in migration mode; the mean post-nesting migration period was 23.0 d (±13.8 d SD). After displacement from nesting beaches, 44 turtles traveled to foraging sites where they remained resident throughout tracking durations. Selected foraging locations were variable distances from tagging sites, and in 5 geographic regions; no turtles selected foraging sites outside the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). Foraging sites delineated using 50% kernel density estimation were located a mean distance of 47.6 km from land and in water with mean depth of −32.5 m; other foraging sites, delineated using minimum convex polygons, were located a mean distance of 43.0 km from land and in water with a mean depth of −24.9 m. Foraging sites overlapped with known trawling activities, oil and gas extraction activities, and the footprint of surface oiling during the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill (n = 10). Our results highlight the year-round use of habitats in the GoM by loggerheads that nest in the NGoM. Our findings indicate that protection of females in this subpopulation requires both international collaborations and management of threats that spatially overlap with distinct foraging habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen M. Hart
- Southeast Ecological Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Davie, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Margaret M. Lamont
- Southeast Ecological Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Autumn R. Sartain
- Scientific R&D, Support to U.S. Geological Survey Southeast Ecological Science Center, Cherokee Nation Technology, Solutions, LLC, Davie, Florida, United States of America
| | - Ikuko Fujisaki
- Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Davie, Florida, United States of America
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