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Sanchez CL, Casale P, Bunbury N, A'Bear L, Banane V, Benstrong F, Bielsa M, Jones CW, Koester A, Murasko S, van Rooyen MC, Fleischer-Dogley F, Ceriani SA. Fine-scale foraging ecology and habitat use of sympatric green and hawksbill turtles in the Western Indian ocean. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 198:106529. [PMID: 38688109 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Using stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen of turtle tissues and putative prey items, we investigated the diet of immature green turtles and hawksbill turtles foraging in the lagoon of Aldabra Atoll, a relatively undisturbed atoll in the southern Seychelles. Aldabra offers a unique environment for understanding sea turtle ecology. Green turtles mostly consumed seagrass and brown algae while hawksbill turtles mainly consumed mangroves and invertebrates. Green turtles showed a dietary shift with size (a proxy for age). There was minimal niche overlap between species and evidence of small-scale foraging site fidelity with turtle tissue reflecting site-specific prey. This highlights the ecological importance of seagrass and mangrove habitats and suggests that turtles play a role in controlling algal biomass at Aldabra. This study is the first to closely examine the foraging ecology of these sympatric turtle species in the Western Indian Ocean, a globally important region for both species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl L Sanchez
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via A. Volta 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Saint Petersburg, FL, USA; Seychelles Islands Foundation, Mahé, P.O. Box 853, Victoria, Seychelles
| | - Paolo Casale
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via A. Volta 6, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Nancy Bunbury
- Seychelles Islands Foundation, Mahé, P.O. Box 853, Victoria, Seychelles; Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Luke A'Bear
- Seychelles Islands Foundation, Mahé, P.O. Box 853, Victoria, Seychelles
| | - Veronique Banane
- Seychelles Islands Foundation, Mahé, P.O. Box 853, Victoria, Seychelles
| | - Frances Benstrong
- Seychelles Islands Foundation, Mahé, P.O. Box 853, Victoria, Seychelles
| | - Maria Bielsa
- Seychelles Islands Foundation, Mahé, P.O. Box 853, Victoria, Seychelles
| | | | - Anna Koester
- Seychelles Islands Foundation, Mahé, P.O. Box 853, Victoria, Seychelles
| | - Susan Murasko
- Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Saint Petersburg, FL, USA
| | | | | | - Simona A Ceriani
- Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Saint Petersburg, FL, USA
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2
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Siegwalt F, Jeantet L, Lelong P, Martin J, Girondot M, Bustamante P, Benhalilou A, Murgale C, Andreani L, Jacaria F, Campistron G, Lathière A, Barotin C, Buret-Rochas G, Barre P, Hielard G, Arqué A, Régis S, Lecerf N, Frouin C, Lefebvre F, Aubert N, Arthus M, Etienne D, Allenou JP, Delnatte C, Lafolle R, Thobor F, Chevallier P, Chevallier T, Lepori M, Assio C, Grand C, Bonola M, Tursi Y, Varkala PW, Meslier S, Landreau A, Le Maho Y, Habold C, Robin JP, Chevallier D. Food selection and habitat use patterns of immature green turtles (Chelonia mydas) on Caribbean seagrass beds dominated by the alien species Halophila stipulacea. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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3
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Kale N, Manoharakrishnan M, Bharti DK, Poti M, Shanker K. The island hoppers: how foraging influences green turtle (Chelonia mydas) abundance over space and time in the Lakshadweep Archipelago, India. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2022. [DOI: 10.3354/esr01181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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4
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Seminoff JA, Komoroske LM, Amorocho D, Arauz R, Chacón‐Chaverrí D, Paz N, Dutton PH, Donoso M, Heidemeyer M, Hoeffer G, Todd Jones T, Kelez S, Lemons GE, Rguez‐Baron JM, Sampson L, Santos Baca L, Steiner T, Vejar Rubio M, Zárate P, Zavala‐Norzagaray A, Popp BN. Large‐scale patterns of green turtle trophic ecology in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey A. Seminoff
- NOAA‐National Marine Fisheries Service Southwest Fisheries Science Center La Jolla California USA
| | - Lisa M. Komoroske
- NOAA‐National Marine Fisheries Service Southwest Fisheries Science Center La Jolla California USA
- Department of Environmental Conservation University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst Massachusetts USA
| | - Diego Amorocho
- Centro De Investigacion Para El Manejo Ambiental y El Desarrollo Cali Colombia
| | - Randall Arauz
- Fins Attached Marine Research and Conservation Colorado Springs Colorado USA
| | | | - Nelly Paz
- Areas Costeras y Recursos Marinos Pisco Perú
| | - Peter H. Dutton
- NOAA‐National Marine Fisheries Service Southwest Fisheries Science Center La Jolla California USA
| | | | - Maike Heidemeyer
- Escuela de Biología Centro de Investigación en Biología Celular y Molecular Centro de Investigación en Ciencas del Mar y Limnología (CIMAR) Universidad de Costa Rica San Pedro Costa Rica
| | | | - T. Todd Jones
- Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center NOAA‐National Marine Fisheries Service Honolulu Hawaii USA
| | | | - Garrett E. Lemons
- NOAA‐National Marine Fisheries Service Southwest Fisheries Science Center La Jolla California USA
| | - Juan M. Rguez‐Baron
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur La Paz Baja California Sur México
| | - Laura Sampson
- Department of Biology Universidad del Valle Cali Colombia
| | - Lucía Santos Baca
- Department of Natural Resources Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste La Paz México
| | - Todd Steiner
- Turtle Island Restoration Network Forest Knolls California USA
- MigraMar Forest Knolls California USA
| | - Maria Vejar Rubio
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional CIIDIR Unidad Sinaloa Guasave Sinaloa México
| | - Patricia Zárate
- MigraMar Forest Knolls California USA
- Department of Biology University of Florida Gainesville Florida USA
| | | | - Brian N. Popp
- Department of Earth Sciences University of Hawai'i at Manoa Honolulu Hawaii USA
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Seminoff JA, Whitman ER, Wallace BP, Bayless A, Resendiz A, Jones TT. No rest for the weary: restricted resting behaviour of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) at a deep-neritic foraging area influences expression of life history traits. J NAT HIST 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2021.1887387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Elizabeth R. Whitman
- Institute of Environment, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, FL, USA
| | - Bryan P. Wallace
- Ecolibrium, Inc., Boulder, CO, USA
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University Marine Lab, Beaufort, NC, USA
| | - Ali Bayless
- Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
- NOAA-Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | | | - T. Todd Jones
- NOAA-Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Honolulu, HI, USA
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6
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Agostinho KFF, Pestana IA, Carvalho CEVD, Di Beneditto APM. Trace elements and stable isotopes in egg yolk of green turtles on Rocas Atoll, Brazil. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 162:111821. [PMID: 33162056 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This study analyzed trace elements (As, Ba, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn) and stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen in egg yolk samples of female green turtles that nested in Rocas Atoll, Brazil, in 2017 and 2018. The trace elements concentration varied between years, with higher concentrations in 2017, suggesting that the nesting groups come from different foraging sites. The isotopic data indicated high overlap between years (73%), leading to an ambiguous interpretation on the turtles' foraging site. The Normalized Total Load presented a low association (0.01 < R2 < 0.41) with the stable isotopes. The Normalized Total Load that represents the trace element load in egg yolk is a holistic approach that can be applied elsewhere to predict ecotoxicology pathways in any animal species. We recommend a continuous monitoring to verify how the trace elements load behave in the nesting green turtles on Rocas Atoll.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karoline Fernanda Ferreira Agostinho
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, CBB, Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Av. Alberto Lamego 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes 28013-602, RJ, Parque Califórnia, Brazil.
| | - Inácio Abreu Pestana
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, CBB, Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Av. Alberto Lamego 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes 28013-602, RJ, Parque Califórnia, Brazil.
| | - Carlos Eduardo Veiga de Carvalho
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, CBB, Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Av. Alberto Lamego 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes 28013-602, RJ, Parque Califórnia, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Madeira Di Beneditto
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, CBB, Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Av. Alberto Lamego 2000, Campos dos Goytacazes 28013-602, RJ, Parque Califórnia, Brazil.
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Weideli OC, Kiszka JJ, Matich P, Heithaus MR. Effects of anticoagulants on stable-isotope values (δ 13 C and δ 15 N) of shark blood components. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2019; 95:1535-1539. [PMID: 31621068 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The effects of anticoagulant EDTA and sodium heparin (SH) on stable carbon δ13 C and nitrogen δ15 N isotopic values of red blood cells (RBC) and blood plasma in juvenile blacktip reef sharks Carcharhinus melanopterus were analysed. Plasma preserved with anticoagulants was not isotopically distinct from plasma stored in no-additive control tubes but RBC δ15 N values exhibited small enrichments when preserved with EDTA and SH. Results suggest EDTA and SH are viable anticoagulants for stable isotopic analyses of blood fractions but further studies are advised to validate results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ornella C Weideli
- PSL Research University, EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Université de Perpignan, Perpignan, France
- Save Our Seas Foundation - D'Arros Research Centre (SOSF-DRC), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jeremy J Kiszka
- Marine Sciences Program, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, Florida
| | - Philip Matich
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A & M University at Galveston, Galveston, Texas
| | - Michael R Heithaus
- Marine Sciences Program, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, Florida
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Figgener C, Bernardo J, Plotkin PT. Beyond trophic morphology: stable isotopes reveal ubiquitous versatility in marine turtle trophic ecology. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2019; 94:1947-1973. [PMID: 31338959 PMCID: PMC6899600 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The idea that interspecific variation in trophic morphology among closely related species effectively permits resource partitioning has driven research on ecological radiation since Darwin first described variation in beak morphology among Geospiza. Marine turtles comprise an ecological radiation in which interspecific differences in trophic morphology have similarly been implicated as a pathway to ecopartition the marine realm, in both extant and extinct species. Because marine turtles are charismatic flagship species of conservation concern, their trophic ecology has been studied intensively using stable isotope analyses to gain insights into habitat use and diet, principally to inform conservation management. This legion of studies provides an unparalleled opportunity to examine ecological partitioning across numerous hierarchical levels that heretofore has not been applied to any other ecological radiation. Our contribution aims to provide a quantitative analysis of interspecific variation and a comprehensive review of intraspecific variation in trophic ecology across different hierarchical levels marshalling insights about realised trophic ecology derived from stable isotopes. We reviewed 113 stable isotope studies, mostly involving single species, and conducted a meta-analysis of data from adults to elucidate differences in trophic ecology among species. Our study reveals a more intricate hierarchy of ecopartitioning by marine turtles than previously recognised based on trophic morphology and dietary analyses. We found strong statistical support for interspecific partitioning, as well as a continuum of intraspecific trophic sub-specialisation in most species across several hierarchical levels. This ubiquity of trophic specialisation across many hierarchical levels exposes a far more complex view of trophic ecology and resource-axis exploitation than suggested by species diversity alone. Not only do species segregate along many widely understood axes such as body size, macrohabitat, and trophic morphology but the general pattern revealed by isotopic studies is one of microhabitat segregation and variation in foraging behaviour within species, within populations, and among individuals. These findings are highly relevant to conservation management because they imply ecological non-exchangeability, which introduces a new dimension beyond that of genetic stocks which drives current conservation planning. Perhaps the most remarkable finding from our data synthesis is that four of six marine turtle species forage across several trophic levels. This pattern is unlike that seen in other large marine predators, which forage at a single trophic level according to stable isotopes. This finding affirms suggestions that marine turtles are robust sentinels of ocean health and likely stabilise marine food webs. This insight has broader significance for studies of marine food webs and trophic ecology of large marine predators. Beyond insights concerning marine turtle ecology and conservation, our findings also have broader implications for the study of ecological radiations. Particularly, the unrecognised complexity of ecopartitioning beyond that predicted by trophic morphology suggests that this dominant approach in adaptive radiation research likely underestimates the degree of resource overlap and that interspecific disparities in trophic morphology may often over-predict the degree of realised ecopartitioning. Hence, our findings suggest that stable isotopes can profitably be applied to study other ecological radiations and may reveal trophic variation beyond that reflected by trophic morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Figgener
- Marine Biology Interdisciplinary ProgramTexas A&M University3258 TAMU, College StationTX77843U.S.A.
- Department of BiologyTexas A&M University3258 TAMU, College StationTX77843U.S.A.
- Department of OceanographyTexas A&M University3146 TAMU, College StationTX77843U.S.A.
| | - Joseph Bernardo
- Marine Biology Interdisciplinary ProgramTexas A&M University3258 TAMU, College StationTX77843U.S.A.
- Department of BiologyTexas A&M University3258 TAMU, College StationTX77843U.S.A.
- Program in Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyTexas A&M University2475 TAMU, College StationTX77843U.S.A.
| | - Pamela T. Plotkin
- Marine Biology Interdisciplinary ProgramTexas A&M University3258 TAMU, College StationTX77843U.S.A.
- Department of OceanographyTexas A&M University3146 TAMU, College StationTX77843U.S.A.
- Texas Sea Grant, Texas A&M University4115 TAMU, College StationTX77843U.S.A.
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9
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The Importance of Isotopic Turnover for Understanding Key Aspects of Animal Ecology and Nutrition. DIVERSITY-BASEL 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/d11050084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Stable isotope-based methods have proved to be immensely valuable for ecological studies ranging in focus from animal movements to species interactions and community structure. Nevertheless, the use of these methods is dependent on assumptions about the incorporation and turnover of isotopes within animal tissues, which are oftentimes not explicitly acknowledged and vetted. Thus, the purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the estimation of stable isotope turnover rates in animals, and to highlight the importance of these estimates for ecological studies in terrestrial, freshwater, and marine systems that may use a wide range of stable isotopes. Specifically, we discuss 1) the factors that contribute to variation in turnover among individuals and across species, which influences the use of stable isotopes for diet reconstructions, 2) the differences in turnover among tissues that underlie so-called ‘isotopic clocks’, which are used to estimate the timing of dietary shifts, and 3) the use of turnover rates to estimate nutritional requirements and reconstruct histories of nutritional stress from tissue isotope signatures. As we discuss these topics, we highlight recent works that have effectively used estimates of turnover to design and execute informative ecological studies. Our concluding remarks suggest several steps that will improve our understanding of isotopic turnover and support its integration into a wider range of ecological studies.
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Nowicki R, Heithaus M, Thomson J, Burkholder D, Gastrich K, Wirsing A. Indirect legacy effects of an extreme climatic event on a marine megafaunal community. ECOL MONOGR 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ecm.1365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Nowicki
- International Center for Coral Reef Research and Restoration Mote Marine Laboratory 24244 Overseas Highway Summerland Key Florida 33042 USA
- Department of Biological Sciences and Marine Education and Research Initiative Florida International University Miami Florida 33199 USA
| | - Michael Heithaus
- Department of Biological Sciences and Marine Education and Research Initiative Florida International University Miami Florida 33199 USA
| | - Jordan Thomson
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences Deakin University Warrnambool Campus Warrnambool Victoria 3280 Australia
| | - Derek Burkholder
- Guy Harvey Research Institute Nova Southeastern University Ft Lauderdale Florida 33314 USA
| | - Kirk Gastrich
- Department of Biological Sciences and Marine Education and Research Initiative Florida International University Miami Florida 33199 USA
| | - Aaron Wirsing
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences University of Washington Box 352100 Seattle Washington 98195 USA
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