scholarly journals Behavioural inference from signal processing using animal-borne multi-sensor loggers: a novel solution to extend the knowledge of sea turtle ecology

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 200139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorène Jeantet ◽  
Víctor Planas-Bielsa ◽  
Simon Benhamou ◽  
Sebastien Geiger ◽  
Jordan Martin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Turtles ◽  
Time Budget ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Automatic Identification ◽  
Detailed Knowledge ◽  
Supervised Learning Algorithms ◽  
Conservation Of Endangered Species ◽  
Free Ranging

The identification of sea turtle behaviours is a prerequisite to predicting the activities and time-budget of these animals in their natural habitat over the long term. However, this is hampered by a lack of reliable methods that enable the detection and monitoring of certain key behaviours such as feeding. This study proposes a combined approach that automatically identifies the different behaviours of free-ranging sea turtles through the use of animal-borne multi-sensor recorders (accelerometer, gyroscope and time-depth recorder), validated by animal-borne video-recorder data. We show here that the combination of supervised learning algorithms and multi-signal analysis tools can provide accurate inferences of the behaviours expressed, including feeding and scratching behaviours that are of crucial ecological interest for sea turtles. Our procedure uses multi-sensor miniaturized loggers that can be deployed on free-ranging animals with minimal disturbance. It provides an easily adaptable and replicable approach for the long-term automatic identification of the different activities and determination of time-budgets in sea turtles. This approach should also be applicable to a broad range of other species and could significantly contribute to the conservation of endangered species by providing detailed knowledge of key animal activities such as feeding, travelling and resting.

scholarly journals Propylene Glycol in Free-Ranging Green Sea Turtle Plasma

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 617-623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer N. Niemuth ◽  
Craig A. Harms ◽  
Jeffrey M. Macdonald ◽  
Michael K. Stoskopf
Keyword(s):  
Propylene Glycol ◽  
Sea Turtles ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Green Sea Turtles ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Free Ranging

Abstract Metabolomics is the study of metabolites, the small-molecular-weight end products of metabolism. Propylene glycol is a synthetic diol commonly used as antifreeze, as a humectant, and in the production of polyester compounds. In otherwise healthy animals, propylene glycol has generally been considered a contaminant, iatrogenic, or unexplained. We demonstrate the presence of propylene glycol in plasma of free-ranging apparently healthy green sea turtles Chelonia mydas and individuals impacted by cold stun syndrome, without iatrogenic administration or known sample processing contamination, using one- and two-dimensional proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy techniques. There was not a statistically significant difference in relative propylene glycol concentration between the two cohorts (two-sided random sampling two-sample permutation test, P = 0.842, R = 1,000). The presence of this metabolite raises important questions about sea turtle physiology and potential latent environmental contamination and serves as a starting point for future characterization of lipid metabolism and glycolysis in green sea turtles.

scholarly journals Influence of short-term temperature drops on sex-determination in sea turtles

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen Porter ◽  
David T Booth ◽  
Col J Limpus
Keyword(s):  
Sex Determination ◽  
Heavy Rainfall ◽  
Incubation Temperature ◽  
Sea Turtles ◽  
Sex Ratios ◽  
Temperature Drop ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Sand Temperature

All sea turtles exhibit temperature-dependent sex-determination, where warmer temperatures produce mostly females and cooler temperatures produce mostly males. As global temperatures continue to rise, sea turtle sex-ratios have become increasingly female-biased, threatening the long-term viability of many populations. Nest temperatures are dependent on sand temperature, and heavy rainfall events reduce sand temperatures for a brief period. However, it is unknown whether these short-term temperature drops are large and long enough to produce male hatchlings. To discover if short-term temperature drops within the sex-determining period can lead to male hatchling production, we exposed green and loggerhead turtle eggs to short-term temperature drops conducted in constant temperature rooms. We dropped incubation temperature at four different times during the sex-determining period for a duration of either 3 or 7 days to mimic short-term drops in temperature caused by heavy rainfall in nature. Some male hatchlings were produced when exposed to temperature drops for as little as 3 days, but the majority of male production occurred when eggs were exposed to 7 days of lowered temperature. More male hatchlings were produced when the temperature drop occurred during the middle of the sex-determining period in green turtles, and the beginning and end of the sex-determining period in loggerhead turtles. Inter-clutch variation was evident in the proportion of male hatchlings produced, indicating that maternal and or genetic factors influence male hatchling production. Our findings have management implications for the long-term preservation of sea turtles on beaches that exhibit strongly female-biased hatchling sex-ratios.

scholarly journals Insights into the successful breeding of Hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) from a long-term captive breeding program

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Maggeni ◽  
William E Feeney
Keyword(s):  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Sea Turtles ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Breeding Program ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Trial And Error ◽  
Eretmochelys Imbricata ◽  
Captive Breeding Program ◽  
Marine Park

AbstractSea turtle populations are declining and evidence-based methods for supporting their populations are required. Captive breeding and release programs can be effective, offering the opportunity to supplement nature populations; however, sea turtles require specific conditions to successfully breed. Here, we present insights gained from a 16 year Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) captive breeding program that was conducted at the Underwater Observatory Marine Park, Eilat, Israel, between 1982-1997. As the first program of its kind for the Hawksbill sea turtle, insights were gained largely through trial-and-error and word of mouth advice. The key insight gained during this program was the critical importance of pre-breeding separation of the sexes; turtles did not breed prior to pre-breeding separation being implemented, but it became predictably regular once it was. Over the course of the program, 161 two-three years old hatchlings were introduced to the Red Sea, which was enabled largely as a result of pre-breeding separation being implemented.

scholarly journals First satellite tracks of neonate sea turtles redefine the ‘lost years’ oceanic niche

2014 ◽  
Vol 281 (1781) ◽  
pp. 20133039 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine L. Mansfield ◽  
Jeanette Wyneken ◽  
Warren P. Porter ◽  
Jiangang Luo
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic ◽  
Sea Turtles ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
The North ◽  
Satellite Transmitters ◽  
The North Atlantic ◽  
Solar Powered

Few at-sea behavioural data exist for oceanic-stage neonate sea turtles, a life-stage commonly referred to as the sea turtle ‘lost years’. Historically, the long-term tracking of small, fast-growing organisms in the open ocean was logistically or technologically impossible. Here, we provide the first long-term satellite tracks of neonate sea turtles. Loggerheads ( Caretta caretta ) were remotely tracked in the Atlantic Ocean using small solar-powered satellite transmitters. We show that oceanic-stage turtles (i) rarely travel in Continental Shelf waters, (ii) frequently depart the currents associated with the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre, (iii) travel quickly when in Gyre currents, and (iv) select sea surface habitats that are likely to provide a thermal benefit or refuge to young sea turtles, supporting growth, foraging and survival. Our satellite tracks help define Atlantic loggerhead nursery grounds and early loggerhead habitat use, allowing us to re-examine sea turtle ‘lost years’ paradigms.

scholarly journals Vulnerability of sea turtles and fishes in response to two catastrophic Caribbean hurricanes, Irma and Maria

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. K. Matley ◽  
S. Eanes ◽  
R. S. Nemeth ◽  
P. D. Jobsis
Keyword(s):  
Prey Availability ◽  
Sea Turtles ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Virgin Islands ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Eretmochelys Imbricata ◽  
Us Virgin Islands

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.

Plastic flipper tags are inadequate for long-term identification of the flatback sea turtle (Natator depressus)

2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 519 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Parmenter
Keyword(s):  
Sea Turtles ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Wild Duck ◽  
Pit Tagging ◽  
Natator Depressus ◽  
Term Identification ◽  
Nesting Season

Two styles of plastic tags were used on flatback sea turtles (Natator depressus). In parallel with conventional metal flipper tagging, and internal PIT tagging methodologies, a total of 476 plastic tags were applied to 428 individual females in the 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1998 nesting seasons at Wild Duck Island, Queensland. Data are reported up to and including the 2000 nesting season demonstrating that plastic tags are inadequate for the long-term identification of these turtles, with failures of approximately 80% within three years of application.

scholarly journals Transforming a Liability into an Asset: A System Dynamics Model for Free-Ranging Dog Population Management

Systems ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 56
Author(s):  
Urmila Basu Mallick ◽  
Marja H. Bakermans ◽  
Khalid Saeed
Keyword(s):  
System Dynamics ◽  
Social Integration ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
System Dynamics Model ◽  
Dynamics Model ◽  
Innovative Strategies ◽  
Management Context ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Social Rewards

Using Indian free-ranging dogs (FRD) as a case study, we propose a novel intervention of social integration alongside previously proposed methods for dealing with FRD populations. Our study subsumes population dynamics, funding avenues, and innovative strategies to maintain FRD welfare and provide societal benefits. We develop a comprehensive system dynamics model, featuring identifiable parameters customizable for any management context and imperative for successfully planning a widescale FRD population intervention. We examine policy resistance and simulate conventional interventions alongside the proposed social integration effort to compare monetary and social rewards, as well as costs and unintended consequences. For challenging socioeconomic ecological contexts, policy resistance is best overcome by shifting priority strategically between social integration and conventional techniques. The results suggest that social integration can financially support a long-term FRD intervention, while transforming a “pest” population into a resource for animal-assisted health interventions, law enforcement, and conservation efforts.

scholarly journals Short- and long-term movement patterns of six temperate reef fishes (Families Labridae and Monacanthidae)

1995 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 853 ◽  
Author(s):  
NS Barrett
Keyword(s):  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Movement Patterns ◽  
Reef Fishes ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Temperate Reef ◽  
Effective Deterrent ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Natural Boundaries

Movement patterns were studied on a 1-ha isolated reef surrounding Arch Rock in southern Tasmania. Short-term movements were identified from diver observations, and interpretation of long-term movements involved multiple recaptures of tagged individuals. Visual observations indicated that the sex-changing labrids Notolabrus tetricus, Pictilabrus laticlavius and Pseudolabrus psittaculus were all site-attached, with females having overlapping home ranges and males being territorial. In the non-sex-changing labrid Notolabrus fucicola and in the monacanthids Penicipelta vittiger and Meuschenia australis, there was no evidence of territorial behaviour and 1-h movements were in excess of the scale of the study. The long-term results indicated that all species were permanent reef residents, with most individuals of all species except M. australis always being recaptured within a home range of 100 m × 25 m or less. Only 15% of individuals of M. australis were always recaptured within this range category. The natural habitat boundary of open sand between the Arch Rock reef and adjacent reefs appeared to be an effective deterrent to emigration. The use of natural boundaries should be an important consideration in the design of marine reserves where the aim is to minimize the loss of protected species to adjacent fished areas.

Aspects of the Water, Electrolyte and Carbohydrate Physiology of the Silvereye, Zosterops Lateralis (Aves).

1983 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 695 ◽  
Author(s):  
IJ Rooke ◽  
SD Bradshaw ◽  
RA Langworthy
Keyword(s):  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Tritiated Water ◽  
Free Water ◽  
Laboratory Studies ◽  
Turnover Rates ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Water Influx ◽  
Zosterops Lateralis ◽  
Total Body ◽  
Free Ranging

Total body water content (TBW) and TBW turnover were measured by means of tritiated water (HTO) in free-ranging populations of silvereyes, Zosterops lateralis, near Margaret River, W.A. Birds were studied in their natural habitats during spring and summer, and compared with a vineyard population in summer. In the natural habitat TBW content was found to be 77.6% in spring, which was not significantly different from that measured in summer (78.3%). Birds in vineyards in summer, however, were dehydrated, with a TBW content of 69.4%. Calculated rates of water influx for spring, summer and summer vineyards birds were 1.44,2.20 and 0.65 ml g.day-' respectively. These water turnover rates are much higher than those of any other bird yet studied. Dehydration was marked in the vineyard birds, with a significantly lower TBW content and an average net water loss of 0.63 ml day-'. Laboratory studies showed that silvereyes have a low tolerance to sodium loading. Their tolerance is, however, quite adequate for them to drink the most concentrated free water available to them in the field. Ingestion of concentrated sugar solutions of up to 25% did not provoke an osmotic diuresis and thus cannot account for the dehydration and negative water balance of vineyard birds.

scholarly journals Long-term decline of the western Pacific leatherback,Dermochelys coriacea: a globally important sea turtle population

Ecosphere ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. art25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo F. Tapilatu ◽  
Peter H. Dutton ◽  
Manjula Tiwari ◽  
Thane Wibbels ◽  
Hadi V. Ferdinandus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Western Pacific ◽  
Dermochelys Coriacea ◽  
Turtle Population ◽  
The Western Pacific
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