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Neves-Ferreira I, Mello-Fonseca J, Ferreira CEL. Photo-identification shows the spatio-temporal distribution of two sea turtle species in a Brazilian developmental foraging ground. MARINE BIOLOGY 2023; 170:83. [PMID: 37251697 PMCID: PMC10198603 DOI: 10.1007/s00227-023-04226-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Sea turtles spend most of their life cycle in foraging grounds. Research in developmental habitats is crucial to understanding individual dynamics and to support conservation strategies. One approach to gather information in foraging grounds is the use of cost-effective and non-invasive techniques that allow public participation. The present study aimed to use photographic-identification (photo-ID) to investigate the spatio-temporal distribution of Chelonia mydas and Eretmochelys imbricata. Furthermore, we describe fibropapillomatosis occurrence. This work was carried out at subtropical rocky reefs of the Brazilian coast in Arraial do Cabo (22°57'S, 42°01'W), within a sustainable conservation unit. A total of 641 images were obtained through social media screening (n = 447), citizen science (n = 168), or intentional capture (n = 26) dated between 2006 and 2021. Additionally, 19 diving forms (between 2019 and 2021) were received from citizen scientists. All diving forms presented at least one turtle. Photo-ID identified 174 individuals of C. mydas, with 45 being resighted, while E. imbricata had 32 individuals, with 7 individuals resighted. The median interval between the first and last individual sighting was 1.7 years for C. mydas and 2.4 years for E. imbricata. Fibropapillomatosis was only observed in C. mydas, with a prevalence of 13.99% (20 of 143 individuals) and regression in 2 individuals (10.00%). Our results indicated that Arraial do Cabo is an important development area with individuals residing for at least 6 years. This study demonstrated that social media, along with photo-ID, can be useful to provide sea turtle estimates in a foraging ground using a non-invasive, low-cost method. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00227-023-04226-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Neves-Ferreira
- Reef System Ecology and Conservation Lab, Department of Marine Biology, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ Brazil
| | - Juliana Mello-Fonseca
- Reef System Ecology and Conservation Lab, Department of Marine Biology, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ Brazil
| | - Carlos E. L. Ferreira
- Reef System Ecology and Conservation Lab, Department of Marine Biology, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ Brazil
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Boyd LL, Zardus JD, Knauer CM, Wood LD. Evidence for Host Selectivity and Specialization by Epizoic Chelonibia Barnacles Between Hawksbill and Green Sea Turtles. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.807237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epibionts are organisms that utilize the exterior of other organisms as a living substratum. Many affiliate opportunistically with hosts of different species, but others specialize on particular hosts as obligate associates. We investigated a case of apparent host specificity between two barnacles that are epizoites of sea turtles and illuminate some ecological considerations that may shape their host relationships. The barnacles Chelonibia testudinaria and Chelonibia caretta, though roughly similar in appearance, are separable by distinctions in morphology, genotype, and lifestyle. However, though each is known to colonize both green (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) sea turtles, C. testudinaria is >5 times more common on greens, while C. caretta is >300 times more common on hawksbills. Two competing explanations for this asymmetry in barnacle incidence are either that the species’ larvae are spatially segregated in mutually exclusive host-encounter zones or their distributions overlap and the larvae behaviorally select their hosts from a common pool. We indirectly tested the latter by documenting the occurrence of adults of both barnacle species in two locations (SE Florida and Nose Be, Madagascar) where both turtle species co-mingle. For green and hawksbill turtles in both locations (Florida: n = 32 and n = 275, respectively; Madagascar: n = 32 and n = 125, respectively), we found that C. testudinaria occurred on green turtles only (percent occurrence – FL: 38.1%; MD: 6.3%), whereas the barnacle C. caretta was exclusively found on hawksbill turtles (FL: 82.2%; MD: 27.5%). These results support the hypothesis that the larvae of these barnacles differentially select host species from a shared supply. Physio-biochemical differences in host shell material, conspecific chemical cues, external microbial biofilms, and other surface signals may be salient factors in larval selectivity. Alternatively, barnacle presence may vary by host micro-environment. Dissimilarities in scute structure and shell growth between hawksbill and green turtles may promote critical differences in attachment modes observed between these barnacles. In understanding the co-evolution of barnacles and hosts it is key to consider the ecologies of both hosts and epibionts in interpreting associations of chance, choice, and dependence. Further studies are necessary to investigate the population status and settlement spectrum of barnacles inhabiting sea turtles.
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Mohanty NP, Wagener C, Herrel A, Thaker M. The ecology of sleep in non-avian reptiles. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2021; 97:505-526. [PMID: 34708504 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Sleep is ubiquitous in the animal kingdom and yet displays considerable variation in its extent and form in the wild. Ecological factors, such as predation, competition, and microclimate, therefore are likely to play a strong role in shaping characteristics of sleep. Despite the potential for ecological factors to influence various aspects of sleep, the ecological context of sleep in non-avian reptiles remains understudied and without systematic direction. In this review, we examine multiple aspects of reptilian sleep, including (i) habitat selection (sleep sites and their spatio-temporal distribution), (ii) individual-level traits, such as behaviour (sleep postures), morphology (limb morphometrics and body colour), and physiology (sleep architecture), as well as (iii) inter-individual interactions (intra- and inter-specific). Throughout, we discuss the evidence of predation, competition, and thermoregulation in influencing sleep traits and the possible evolutionary consequences of these sleep traits for reptile sociality, morphological specialisation, and habitat partitioning. We also review the ways in which sleep ecology interacts with urbanisation, biological invasions, and climate change. Overall, we not only provide a systematic evaluation of the conceptual and taxonomic biases in the existing literature on reptilian sleep, but also use this opportunity to organise the various ecological hypotheses for sleep characteristics. By highlighting the gaps and providing a prospectus of research directions, our review sets the stage for understanding sleep ecology in the natural world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitya P Mohanty
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560 012, India
| | - Carla Wagener
- Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, 7600, South Africa
| | - Anthony Herrel
- Département Adaptations du Vivant, MECADEV UMR7179 CNRS/MNHN, Paris, France
| | - Maria Thaker
- Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560 012, India
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Gaos AR, Johnson CE, McLeish DB, King CS, Senko JF. Interactions Among Hawaiian Hawksbills Suggest Prevalence of Social Behaviors in Marine Turtles. CHELONIAN CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.2744/ccb-1481.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander R. Gaos
- NOAA Fisheries, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Marine Turtle Biology and Assessment Program, 1845 Wasp Boulevard, Building 176, Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96818 USA []
| | - Corinne E. Johnson
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, 427 E Tyler Mall, Tempe, Arizona 85287 USA []
| | - Don B. McLeish
- Independent Naturalist, 62 Haku Hale Place, Lahaina, Hawai‘i 96761 USA [
| | - Cheryl S. King
- Hawaiian Hawksbill Conservation, 24 Laumakani Loop, Kihei, Hawai‘i 96753 USA []
| | - Jesse F. Senko
- School for the Future of Innovation in Society, Arizona State University, 1120 South Cady Mall, Tempe, Arizona 85287 USA []
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Wood C, Balazs GH, Rice M, Work TM, Jones TT, Sterling E, Summers TM, Brooker J, Kurpita L, King CS, Lynch JM. Sea turtles across the North Pacific are exposed to perfluoroalkyl substances. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 279:116875. [PMID: 33770650 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) are global, persistent, and toxic contaminants. We assessed PFAS concentrations in green (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) turtles from the North Pacific. Fifteen compounds were quantified via liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry from 62 green turtle and 6 hawksbill plasma samples from Hawai'i, Palmyra Atoll, and the Northern Marianas Islands. Plasma from 14 green turtles severely afflicted with fibropapillomatosis, and eggs from 12 Hawaiian hawksbill nests from 7 females were analyzed. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) predominated in green turtle plasma; perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) predominated in hawksbill tissues. Concentrations were greater in hawksbill than green turtle plasma (p < 0.05), related to trophic differences. Green turtle plasma PFOS concentrations were related to human populations from highest to lowest: Hawai'i, Marianas, Palmyra. Influence on fibropapillomatosis was not evident. PFASs were maternally transferred to hawksbill eggs, with decreasing concentrations with distance from airports and with clutch order from one female. A risk assessment of PFOS showed concern for immunosuppression in Kailua green turtles and alarming concern for hawksbill developmental toxicity. Perfluoroundecanoic (PFUnA) and perfluorotridecanoic (PFTriA) acid levels were correlated with reduced emergence success (p < 0.05). Studies to further examine PFAS effects on sea turtle development would be beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathryn Wood
- Hawai'i Pacific University, Center for Marine Debris Research, Waimānalo, HI, USA
| | | | - Marc Rice
- Hawai'i Preparatory Academy, Waimea, HI, USA
| | - Thierry M Work
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Honolulu Field Station, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - T Todd Jones
- NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | | | | | | | - Lauren Kurpita
- Hawai'i Island Hawksbill Turtle Recovery Project, Hawai'i National Park, HI, USA
| | | | - Jennifer M Lynch
- Hawai'i Pacific University, Center for Marine Debris Research, Waimānalo, HI, USA; National Institute of Standards and Technology, Chemical Sciences Division, Waimānalo, HI, USA.
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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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Avens L, Ramirez MD, Goshe LR, Clark JM, Meylan AB, Teas W, Shaver DJ, Godfrey MH, Howell L. Hawksbill sea turtle life stage durations, somatic growth patterns, and age at maturation. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2021. [DOI: 10.3354/esr01123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Chambault P, Dalleau M, Nicet JB, Mouquet P, Ballorain K, Jean C, Ciccione S, Bourjea J. Contrasted habitats and individual plasticity drive the fine scale movements of juvenile green turtles in coastal ecosystems. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2020; 8:1. [PMID: 31921423 PMCID: PMC6947949 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-019-0184-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A strong behavioural plasticity is commonly evidenced in the movements of marine megafauna species, and it might be related to an adaptation to local conditions of the habitat. One way to investigate such behavioural plasticity is to satellite track a large number of individuals from contrasting foraging grounds, but despite recent advances in satellite telemetry techniques, such studies are still very limited in sea turtles. METHODS From 2010 to 2018, 49 juvenile green turtles were satellite tracked from five contrasting feeding grounds located in the South-West Indian Ocean in order to (1) assess the diel patterns in their movements, (2) investigate the inter-individual and inter-site variability, and (3) explore the drivers of their daily movements using both static (habitat type and bathymetry) and dynamic variables (daily and tidal cycles). RESULTS Despite similarities observed in four feeding grounds (a diel pattern with a decreased distance to shore and smaller home ranges at night), contrasted habitats (e.g. mangrove, reef flat, fore-reef, terrace) associated with different resources (coral, seagrass, algae) were used in each island. CONCLUSIONS Juvenile green turtles in the South-West Indian Ocean show different responses to contrasting environmental conditions - both natural (habitat type and tidal cycle) and anthropogenic (urbanised vs. uninhabited island) demonstrating the ability to adapt to modification of habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippine Chambault
- UMR MARBEC, IFREMER, CNRS, IRD, University of Montpellier, Avenue Jean Monnet, 34200 Sète, France
| | - Mayeul Dalleau
- Centre d’Etude et de Découverte des Tortues Marines (CEDTM), 6 chemin Dubuisson, Appt. 5, 97436 Saint-Leu, La Réunion France
| | - Jean-Benoît Nicet
- GIE MAREX, 697 Chemin Surprise, La Fontaine, 97436 Saint Leu, La Réunion France
| | - Pascal Mouquet
- Université de La Réunion/UMR ESPACE-DEV, Antenne SEAS-OI, 40 Avenue de Soweto, 97410 Saint-Pierre, La Réunion France
| | - Katia Ballorain
- Centre d’Etude et de Découverte des Tortues Marines (CEDTM), 6 chemin Dubuisson, Appt. 5, 97436 Saint-Leu, La Réunion France
- Biodiversity French Agency, Mayotte and Glorieuses Marine Nature Parks, 6 chemin Dubuisson, Appt. 5, 97436 Saint-Leu, La Réunion France
| | - Claire Jean
- Kelonia, l’observatoire des tortues marines, 46 rue du Général de Gaulle, 97436 Saint Leu, La Réunion France
| | - Stéphane Ciccione
- Kelonia, l’observatoire des tortues marines, 46 rue du Général de Gaulle, 97436 Saint Leu, La Réunion France
| | - Jérôme Bourjea
- UMR MARBEC, IFREMER, CNRS, IRD, University of Montpellier, Avenue Jean Monnet, 34200 Sète, France
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Matley JK, Eanes S, Nemeth RS, Jobsis PD. Vulnerability of sea turtles and fishes in response to two catastrophic Caribbean hurricanes, Irma and Maria. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14254. [PMID: 31582770 PMCID: PMC6776526 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50523-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Extreme weather events (e.g., cyclones, floods, droughts) are capable of changing ecosystems and altering how animals obtain resources. Understanding the behavioural responses of animals being impacted by these natural events can help initiate and ameliorate conservation or management programs. This study investigated short- and long-term space-use of the critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), as well as five species of fishes and stingrays, in response to two of the most destructive Caribbean hurricanes in known history - Irma and Maria, which were at their peak intensity when they passed the US Virgin Islands in September of 2017. Using passive acoustic telemetry in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, we show a variety of short-term behavioural patterns initiated across species to reduce exposure to the strong environmental conditions, such as moving to deeper habitats within the study area. Although short-term expansion of activity space was evident for several sea turtles, long-term impacts on space-use and body condition were limited. In contrast, southern stingrays (Hypanus americanus) left the study area shortly after the hurricanes, suggesting vulnerability stemming from altered habitat, prey availability, or temperature/oxygen profiles. This study shows the strong spatial resilience of several nearshore species despite exposure to two consecutive category 5 hurricanes.
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Affiliation(s)
- J K Matley
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
- Center for Marine and Environmental Studies, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, VI, USA.
| | - S Eanes
- Center for Marine and Environmental Studies, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, VI, USA
| | - R S Nemeth
- Center for Marine and Environmental Studies, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, VI, USA
| | - P D Jobsis
- Center for Marine and Environmental Studies, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, VI, USA
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Selby TH, Hart KM, Smith BJ, Pollock CG, Hillis-Starr Z, Oli MK. Juvenile hawksbill residency and habitat use within a Caribbean marine protected area. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2019. [DOI: 10.3354/esr00975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Senko JF, Megill WM, Brooks LB, Templeton RP, Koch V. Developing low-cost tags: assessing the ecological impacts of tethered tag technology on host species. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2019. [DOI: 10.3354/esr00967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Wood LD, Milton SL, Maple TL. Foraging Behavior of Wild Hawksbill Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) in Palm Beach County, Florida, USA. CHELONIAN CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.2744/ccb-1242.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence D. Wood
- Florida Hawksbill Project at the National Save the Sea Turtle Foundation, 4419 West Tradewinds Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33308 USA []
| | - Sarah L. Milton
- Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33431 USA []
| | - Terry L. Maple
- Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, 370 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville, Florida 32218 USA []
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Chevis MG, Godley BJ, Lewis JP, Jackson Lewis J, Scales KL, Graham RT. Movement patterns of juvenile hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys imbricata at a Caribbean coral atoll: long-term tracking using passive acoustic telemetry. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2017. [DOI: 10.3354/esr00812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [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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