scholarly journals Shifting the life-history paradigm: discovery of novel habitat use by hawksbill turtles

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander R. Gaos ◽  
Rebecca L. Lewison ◽  
Ingrid L. Yañez ◽  
Bryan P. Wallace ◽  
Michael J. Liles ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Eastern Pacific ◽  
Life History Strategies ◽  
Evolutionary Trajectory ◽  
Eretmochelys Imbricata ◽  
Management Perspective ◽  
Novel Habitat ◽  
Marine Wildlife ◽  
Hawksbill Turtles

Adult hawksbill turtles ( Eretmochelys imbricata ) are typically described as open-coast, coral reef and hard substrate dwellers. Here, we report new satellite tracking data on female hawksbills from several countries in the eastern Pacific that revealed previously undocumented behaviour for adults of the species. In contrast to patterns of habitat use exhibited by their Caribbean and Indo-Pacific counterparts, eastern Pacific hawksbills generally occupied inshore estuaries, wherein they had strong associations with mangrove saltwater forests. The use of inshore habitats and affinities with mangrove saltwater forests presents a previously unknown life-history paradigm for adult hawksbill turtles and suggests a potentially unique evolutionary trajectory for the species. Our findings highlight the variability in life-history strategies that marine turtles and other wide-ranging marine wildlife may exhibit among ocean regions, and the importance of understanding such disparities from an ecological and management perspective.

Habitat Use and Diet of Juvenile Eastern Pacific Hawksbill Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) in the North Pacific Coast of Costa Rica

2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Carrión-Cortez ◽  
Carlos Canales-Cerro ◽  
Randall Arauz ◽  
Rafael Riosmena-Rodríguez
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
North Pacific ◽  
Pacific Coast ◽  
Eastern Pacific ◽  
Eretmochelys Imbricata ◽  
The North ◽  
Hawksbill Turtles ◽  
The North Pacific

scholarly journals Natal foraging philopatry in eastern Pacific hawksbill turtles

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (8) ◽  
pp. 170153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander R. Gaos ◽  
Rebecca L. Lewison ◽  
Michael P. Jensen ◽  
Michael J. Liles ◽  
Ana Henriquez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Research ◽  
Eastern Pacific ◽  
Marine Turtle ◽  
Natal Philopatry ◽  
Eretmochelys Imbricata ◽  
Turtle Species ◽  
Marine Turtles ◽  
Complex Processes ◽  
Natal Homing ◽  
Hawksbill Turtles

The complex processes involved with animal migration have long been a subject of biological interest, and broad-scale movement patterns of many marine turtle populations still remain unresolved. While it is widely accepted that once marine turtles reach sexual maturity they home to natal areas for nesting or reproduction, the role of philopatry to natal areas during other life stages has received less scrutiny, despite widespread evidence across the taxa. Here we report on genetic research that indicates that juvenile hawksbill turtles ( Eretmochelys imbricata ) in the eastern Pacific Ocean use foraging grounds in the region of their natal beaches, a pattern we term natal foraging philopatry. Our findings confirm that traditional views of natal homing solely for reproduction are incomplete and that many marine turtle species exhibit philopatry to natal areas to forage. Our results have important implications for life-history research and conservation of marine turtles and may extend to other wide-ranging marine vertebrates that demonstrate natal philopatry.

scholarly journals Strontium isotopes reveal diverse life history variations, migration patterns, and habitat use for Broad Whitefish (Coregonus nasus) in Arctic, Alaska

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason C. Leppi ◽  
Daniel J. Rinella ◽  
Mark S. Wipfli ◽  
Randy J. Brown ◽  
Karen J. Spaleta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Anthropogenic Impacts ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Life History Strategies ◽  
Time And Space ◽  
Marine Habitat ◽  
Migration Patterns ◽  
Arctic Alaska

Conservation of Arctic fish species is challenging partly due to our limited ability to track fish through time and space, which constrains our understanding of life history diversity and lifelong habitat use. Broad Whitefish ( Coregonus nasus ) is an important subsistence species for Alaska’s Arctic Indigenous communities, yet little is known about life history diversity, migration patterns, and freshwater habitat use. Using laser ablation Sr isotope otolith microchemistry, we analyzed Colville River Broad Whitefish 87 Sr/ 86 Sr chronologies (n = 61) to reconstruct movements and habitat use across the lives of individual fish. We found evidence of at least six life history types, including three anadromous types, one semi-anadromous type, and two nonanadromous types. Anadromous life history types comprised a large proportion of individuals sampled (collectively, 59%) and most of these (59%) migrated to sea between ages 0–2 and spent varying durations at sea. The semi-anadromous life history type comprised 28% of samples and entered marine habitat as larvae. Nonanadromous life history types comprised the remainder (collectively, 13%). Otolith 87 Sr/ 86 Sr data from juvenile and adult freshwater stages suggest that habitat use changed in association with age, seasons, and life history strategies. This information on Broad Whitefish life histories and habitat use across time and space will help managers and conservation planners better understand the risks of anthropogenic impacts and help conserve this vital subsistence resource.

scholarly journals Past Biodiversity: Japanese Historical Monographs Document the Epibiotic Barnacles and Cold-Stunning Event of the Hawksbill Turtle Eretmochelys imbricata

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryota Hayashi
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
First Record ◽  
Edo Period ◽  
Eretmochelys Imbricata ◽  
History Of ◽  
Historical Heritage ◽  
Hawksbill Turtles

The historical monographs called “Honzou Gaku” present the first record of cold-stunning of a hawksbill turtle Eretmochelys imbricata (Linnaeus, 1766) in the Echigo region of Japan during the Edo period (1600–1868), and the barnacles attached to the turtle were identified as Platylepas hexastylos (Fabricius, 1798). Analysis of this finding adds substantial knowledge to our understanding of the life history of the hawksbill turtles along the coast of Japan. As reported in this study, literature on the historical heritage of other animals or plants can also provide information about their past biodiversity.

scholarly journals Environmental Drivers of Habitat Use by Hawksbill Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) in the Arabian Gulf (Qatar)

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher D. Marshall ◽  
Joshua A. Cullen ◽  
Mehsin Al-Ansi ◽  
Shafeeq Hamza ◽  
Mohamed A. R. Abdel-Moati
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Arabian Gulf ◽  
Environmental Drivers ◽  
Eretmochelys Imbricata ◽  
Hawksbill Turtles

scholarly journals Signs of hope in the eastern Pacific: international collaboration reveals encouraging status for a severely depleted population of hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys imbricata

Oryx ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 595-601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander R. Gaos ◽  
F.A. Abreu-Grobois ◽  
J. Alfaro-Shigueto ◽  
D. Amorocho ◽  
R. Arauz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
El Salvador ◽  
Working Group ◽  
Eastern Pacific ◽  
Marine Turtle ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Eretmochelys Imbricata ◽  
Conservation Projects ◽  
Available Information ◽  
Nesting Activity ◽  
Hawksbill Turtles

AbstractWhile little is known about hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys imbricata in the eastern Pacific Ocean, available information suggests that the population has declined substantially in recent decades and could be near extirpation in the region. To evaluate the current status of the population more effectively and to determine the feasibility of recovery efforts, a workshop of regional marine turtle specialists was held in June 2008 in Los Cóbanos, El Salvador. An international working group, Iniciativa Carey del Pacífico Oriental (ICAPO; Eastern Pacific Hawksbill Initiative in English), was established to consolidate information, promote conservation projects and raise awareness about the species. We present information derived from the workshop and compiled by the ICAPO working group since that time. Considering only records from 1 January 2007 to 31 May 2009 it appears that El Salvador hosts the majority of known hawksbill turtle nesting activity in the eastern Pacific, with 79.6% (n = 430) of all nesting observation records, and Mexico hosts the majority of records of hawksbill turtles at sea, with 60.3% (n = 44) of all in-water observation records. Although current abundance is very low, the pervasiveness of the species in the region suggests potential for conservation and recovery. Despite a historical paucity of research focusing on this population, the relatively large and steadily increasing number of records as a result of concerted efforts demonstrates the viability of the ICAPO network as an instrument to promote conservation of this species in the eastern Pacific.

scholarly journals Hematology, biochemistry, and toxicology of wild hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) nesting in mangrove estuaries in the eastern Pacific Ocean

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aubrey M. Tauer ◽  
Michael J. Liles ◽  
Sofía Chavarría ◽  
Melissa Valle ◽  
Sada Amaya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Pacific Ocean ◽  
Organic Pollutants ◽  
Persistent Organic Pollutants ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Eastern Pacific ◽  
Eastern Pacific Ocean ◽  
Eretmochelys Imbricata ◽  
Mangrove Estuary ◽  
Hawksbill Turtles

AbstractSea turtles are a keystone species and are highly sensitive to changes in their environment, making them excellent environmental indicators. In light of environmental and climate changes, species are increasingly threatened by pollution, changes in ocean health, habitat alteration, and plastic ingestion. There may be additional health related threats and understanding these threats is key in directing future management and conservation efforts, particularly for severely reduced sea turtle populations. Hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) are critically endangered, with those in the eastern Pacific Ocean (Mexico–Peru) considered one of the most threatened sea turtle populations in the world. This study establishes baseline health parameters in hematology and blood biochemistry as well as tested for heavy metals and persitent organic pollutants in eastern Pacific hawksbills at a primary nesting colony located in a mangrove estuary. Whereas hematology and biochemistry results are consistent with healthy populations of other species of sea turtles, we identified differences in packed cell volume, heterophils and lympohcyte counts, and glucose when comparing our data to other adult hawksbill analysis (1), (2), (3). Our analysis of heavy metal contamination revealed a mean blood level of 0.245 ppm of arsenic, 0.045 ppm of lead, and 0.008 ppm of mercury. Blood levels of persistent organic pollutants were below the laboratory detection limit for all turtles. Our results suggest that differences in the feeding ecology of eastern Pacific hawksbills in mangrove estuaries may make them less likely to accumulate persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals in their blood. These baseline data on blood values in hawksbills nesting within a mangrove estuary in the eastern Pacific offer important guidance for health assessments of the species in the wild and in clinical rehabilitation facilities, and underscore the importance of preventing contamination from point and non-point sources in mangrove estuaries, which represent primary habitat to hawksbills and myriad other marine species in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

scholarly journals Life-stages, exploitation status and habitat use of the Gorean snapper, Lutjanus goreensis ( Perciformes : Lutjanidae) from comparative length - frequency distributions in a mangrove - poor tidal creek and coastal marine environments of Lagos, South -

2015 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 199
Author(s):  
Kafayat A. Fakoya ◽  
Martins A. Anetekhai ◽  
Shehu L. Akintola ◽  
Abdulwakil O. Saba ◽  
Mikhail A. Abass
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Coastal Waters ◽  
Life History Strategies ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Length Frequency ◽  
Marine Habitat ◽  
Frequency Distributions ◽  
Marine Samples ◽  
Exploitation Status

<p>The Gorean snapper,<em> Lutjanus goreensis</em> is an important component of artisanal fisheries and trawl landings in the Gulf of Guinea. Despite its economic importance, there is a dearth of information on size structure and life history strategies of the species. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to provide baseline data on the life stages, exploitation status and habitat use for the species in Nigeria. Monthly samples were obtained from artisanal and trawl catches in Five Cowrie Creek and Lagos coastal waters between December 2008 and December 2010, respectively. Length-frequency distributions of the fishes caught were analysed to provide preliminary information on mean and modal lengths at capture and<strong> </strong>life - history strategies based on habitat use and estuarine-dependency for <em>L. goreensis</em>. A total of 822 specimens of <em>L. goreensis </em>were collected from Five Cowrie Creek, while 377 specimens were collected from Lagos coastal waters. Total length varied between 7.90-34.90cm for estuarine samples and from 21.90-56.10cm for marine samples. Length-frequency histograms showed polymodal size distributions in estuarine and marine samples. Length-frequency distributions of <em>L. goreensis </em>showed a high abundance of juveniles (&lt;20cm)<em> </em>and<em> </em>sub-adults (20-35cm) which accounted for 84.1% and 68.4% of estuarine and marine samples examined, respectively. For the estuarine samples, fish in modal length class of 13.00-13.99cm were the most exploited while in marine samples, length classes of 29.00-30.99cm and 31.00-32.99cm constituted the most frequently exploited fishes. Increase in total lengths from the creek (mean±SD; 16.19±3.73cm) to the marine habitat (32.89±6.14cm) indicated ontogenetic shift in habitat use. Occurrence of a predominant juvenile population in Five Cowrie Creek by <em>L. goreensis </em>suggests estuarine-dependency and is indicative of a temporary juvenile habitat or a migratory corridor. In conclusions, data from the presently reported study and previous studies demonstrated that juvenile <em>L. goreensis </em>displays estuarine dependency and habitat flexibility. Hence, this underscores the importance of preserving estuarine environments as essential fish habitats to prevent overfishing. The study also concludes that the species is vulnerable to recruitment overfishing in the marine environment especially as a consequence of shrimping. Consequently, it advocates for ban on all fishing activities during peak spawning periods in breeding grounds and shrimp ground assemblage.</p>

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