Seasonal diving patterns and body temperatures of juvenile green turtles at Heron Island, Australia

2003 ◽  
Vol 81 (6) ◽  
pp. 1014-1024 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda L Southwood ◽  
Richard D Reina ◽  
Vivienne S Jones ◽  
David R Jones
Keyword(s):  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Dive Depth ◽  
Dive Duration ◽  
Ambient Water ◽  
Reef Habitat ◽  
Physiological Factors ◽  
Green Turtles ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Ambient Water Temperature ◽  
Coral Reef Habitat

This study compared diving patterns of juvenile green turtles, Chelonia mydas, in a coral reef habitat during summer and winter. Dataloggers were deployed on green turtles at Heron Island, Australia, during December 2000 and August 2001 so that dive variables and ambient water temperature (TW) could be monitored. Cloacal temperatures (TB) were recorded from green turtles upon capture to assess their ability to maintain a thermal gradient between TB and TW. Data show that green turtles altered diving behaviour seasonally. Green turtles spent significantly more time in shallow water (<1 m) during winter than during summer. Dive depth for dives that exceeded 1 m was 2.9 ± 0.4 m (mean ± SEM) during summer and 4.4 ± 0.6 m during winter. Dive duration in summer (13.1 ± 1.2 min) was approximately half the dive duration in winter (24.3 ± 1.6 min), and surface interval in summer (0.6 ± 0.1 min) was one-third that of the surface interval in winter (1.8 ± 0.1 min). The observed changes in behaviour may be due to seasonal changes in environmental and physiological factors. There was no statistically significant difference between TB and TW during summer or winter.

The impact of fibropapillomatosis on clinical characteristics, blood gas, plasma biochemistry, and hematological profiles in juvenile green turtles ( Chelonia mydas)

2020 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 723-734
Author(s):  
Tsung-Hsien Li ◽  
Chao-Chin Chang
Keyword(s):  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Extracellular Fluid ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Blood Gas ◽  
Green Turtles ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a tumor- forming disease that afflicts all marine turtles and is the most common in green turtles (Chelonia mydas). In this study, the morphometric characteristics, blood gas, biochemistry, and hematological profiles of 28 (6 FP-positive and 22 FP-negative) green turtles from the coast of Taiwan were investigated. The results indicated that body weight ( P < 0.001) and curved carapace length (CCL; P < 0.001) in green turtles with FP were significantly higher than in turtles without FP. Furthermore, green turtles with FP had a significantly lower value of hemoglobin (HB; P = 0.010) and packed cell volume (PCV; P = 0.005) than turtles without FP. Blood cell counts of white blood cells (WBC; P = 0.008) and lymphocytes ( P = 0.022) were observed with significant difference; green turtles with FP had lower counts than turtles without FP. In addition, turtles with FP had significantly higher pH ( P = 0.036), base excess in extracellular fluid (BEecf; P = 0.012), bicarbonate (HCO3– ; P = 0.008), and total carbon dioxide (TCO2 ; P = 0.025) values than turtles without FP. The findings of this study provide valuable clinical parameters for the medical care of the species in sea turtle rehabilitation centers and help us to understand the physiological response of green turtles to different tumor-forming conditions.

Seasonal changes in reproductive output of a year-round nesting population of the green turtle Chelonia mydas at Huyong Island, Thailand

2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 559-566
Author(s):  
Tohya Yasuda ◽  
Kongkiat Kittiwattanawong ◽  
Winai Klom-in ◽  
Nobuaki Arai
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Output ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Green Turtles ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Specific Factors ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
Nesting Activity ◽  
Nesting Season

AbstractFor the vast majority of reptiles, low temperature is a major constraint on reproduction. However, continuous reproduction is not always observed even in equatorial climates. In the present study, we examined the reproductive output of green turtles in a year-round nesting population on Huyong Island, Thailand. From 1996 to 2007, 121 females were identified. Because individual turtles nest several times within a season, we defined the nesting season of an individual as the month during which the first nesting activity was detected. We found a significant difference in clutch frequency among months. However, there were no significant relationships during the nesting period between clutch frequency and environmental parameters such as mean daily air temperature, precipitation and maximum wind speed. Although we could not identify the specific factors, our findings suggest that environmental factors may regulate seasonal variation in reproductive output even in the tropics.

scholarly journals Polyandry pays off: The effects of multiple mating and number of fathers on morphological traits and survival in clutches of nesting green turtles at Tortuguero

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alonzo Alfaro-Núñez ◽  
Michael P. Jensen ◽  
F. Alberto Abreu-Grobois
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Traits ◽  
Incubation Temperature ◽  
Multiple Mating ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Environmental Variable ◽  
Green Turtles ◽  
Exact Number ◽  
Paternal Contribution ◽  
Emergence Success ◽  
Significant Difference

Despite the long debate of whether or not multiple mating benefits the offspring, studies still show contradicting results. Multiple mating takes time and energy. Thus, if females fertilize their eggs with a single mating, why to mate more than once? We investigated and inferred paternal identity and number of sires in 12 clutches (240 hatchlings) of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) nests at Tortuguero, Costa Rica. Paternal alleles were inferred through comparison of maternal and hatchling genotypes, and indicated multiple paternity in at least 11 of the clutches (92%). The inferred average number of fathers was three (ranging from 1 to 5). This in returns suggests that most females successfully got fecundated by at least three males. Moreover, regression analyses were used to investigate for correlation of inferred clutch paternity with morphological traits of hatchlings fitness (emergence success, length, weight and crawling speed); and size of the mother; and an environmental variable (incubation temperature). We suggest and propose two different comparative approaches for evaluating morphological traits and clutch paternity, in order to infer greater offspring survival. First, clutches coded by the exact number of fathers and second by the exact paternal contribution (fathers who gives greater proportion of the offspring per nest). We found significant differences (P < 0.05) in clutches coded by the exact number of fathers for all morphological traits, where a tendency of higher values in offspring sired by two to three fathers was found. The second approach analysing the paternal contribution showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) for any of the traits. The main conclusion is that multiple mating analysed by the exact number of inferred fathers significantly affects the survival of the offspring regardless of morphological trait measured.

scholarly journals Does polyandry really pay off?: The effects of multiple mating and number of fathers on morphological traits and survival in clutches of nesting green turtles at Tortuguero

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alonzo Alfaro-Núñez ◽  
Michael P. MPJ Jensen ◽  
F. Alberto Abreu-Grobois
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Traits ◽  
Multiple Mating ◽  
Multiple Paternity ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
General Tendency ◽  
Green Turtles ◽  
Exact Number ◽  
Paternal Contribution ◽  
Emergence Success ◽  
Significant Difference

Despite the long debate of whether or not multiple mating benefits the offspring, studies still show contradicting results. Multiple mating takes time and energy. Thus, if females fertilize their eggs with a single mating, why to mate more than once? We investigated and inferred paternal identity and number of sires in 12 clutches (240 hatchlings) of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) nests at Tortuguero, Costa Rica. Paternal alleles were inferred through comparison of maternal and hatchling genotypes, and indicated multiple paternity in at least 11 of the clutches (92%). The inferred average number of fathers was three (ranging from 1 to 5). Moreover, regression analyses were used to investigate for correlation of inferred clutch paternity with morphological traits of hatchlings fitness (emergence success, length, weight and crawling speed); and size of the mother; and an environmental variable (incubation temperature). We suggest and propose two different comparative approaches for evaluating morphological traits and clutch paternity, in order to infer greater offspring survival. First, clutches coded by the exact number of fathers and second by the exact paternal contribution (fathers who gives greater proportion of the offspring per nest). We found significant differences (P < 0.05) in clutches coded by the exact number of fathers for all morphological traits. A general tendency of higher values in offspring sired by two to three fathers was observed for the length and weight traits. However, emergence success and crawling speed showed different trends which unable us to reach any further conclusion. The second approach analysing the paternal contribution showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) for any of the traits. We conclude that multiple paternity does not provide any extra benefit in the morphological fitness traits or the survival of the offspring, when analysed following the proposed comparative statistical methods.

scholarly journals Does polyandry really pay off?: The effects of multiple mating and number of fathers on morphological traits and survival in clutches of nesting green turtles at Tortuguero

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alonzo Alfaro-Núñez ◽  
Michael P. Jensen ◽  
F. Alberto Abreu-Grobois
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Traits ◽  
Multiple Mating ◽  
Multiple Paternity ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
General Tendency ◽  
Green Turtles ◽  
Exact Number ◽  
Paternal Contribution ◽  
Emergence Success ◽  
Significant Difference

Despite the long debate of whether or not multiple mating benefits the offspring, studies still show contradicting results. Multiple mating takes time and energy. Thus, if females fertilize their eggs with a single mating, why to mate more than once? We investigated and inferred paternal identity and number of sires in 12 clutches (240 hatchlings) of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) nests at Tortuguero, Costa Rica. Paternal alleles were inferred through comparison of maternal and hatchling genotypes, and indicated multiple paternity in at least 11 of the clutches (92%). The inferred average number of fathers was three (ranging from 1 to 5). Moreover, regression analyses were used to investigate for correlation of inferred clutch paternity with morphological traits of hatchlings fitness (emergence success, length, weight and crawling speed); and size of the mother; and an environmental variable (incubation temperature). We suggest and propose two different comparative approaches for evaluating morphological traits and clutch paternity, in order to infer greater offspring survival. First, clutches coded by the exact number of fathers and second by the exact paternal contribution (fathers who gives greater proportion of the offspring per nest). We found significant differences (P < 0.05) in clutches coded by the exact number of fathers for all morphological traits. A general tendency of higher values in offspring sired by two to three fathers was observed for the length and weight traits. However, emergence success and crawling speed showed different trends which unable us to reach any further conclusion. The second approach analysing the paternal contribution showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) for any of the traits. We conclude that multiple paternity does not provide any extra benefit in the morphological fitness traits or the survival of the offspring, when analysed following the proposed comparative statistical methods.

scholarly journals Diving behaviour of green turtles: dive depth, dive duration and activity levels

2000 ◽  
Vol 208 ◽  
pp. 297-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
GC Hays ◽  
S Hochscheid ◽  
AC Broderick ◽  
BJ Godley ◽  
JD Metcalfe
Keyword(s):  
Dive Depth ◽  
Dive Duration ◽  
Diving Behaviour ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Green Turtles

scholarly journals Does polyandry really pay off?: The effects of multiple mating and number of fathers on morphological traits and survival in clutches of nesting green turtles at Tortuguero

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alonzo Alfaro-Núñez ◽  
Michael P. Jensen ◽  
F. Alberto Abreu-Grobois
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Traits ◽  
Multiple Mating ◽  
Multiple Paternity ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
General Tendency ◽  
Green Turtles ◽  
Exact Number ◽  
Paternal Contribution ◽  
Emergence Success ◽  
Significant Difference

Despite the long debate of whether or not multiple mating benefits the offspring, studies still show contradicting results. Multiple mating takes time and energy. Thus, if females fertilize their eggs with a single mating, why to mate more than once? We investigated and inferred paternal identity and number of sires in 12 clutches (240 hatchlings) of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) nests at Tortuguero, Costa Rica. Paternal alleles were inferred through comparison of maternal and hatchling genotypes, and indicated multiple paternity in at least 11 of the clutches (92%). The inferred average number of fathers was three (ranging from 1 to 5). Moreover, regression analyses were used to investigate for correlation of inferred clutch paternity with morphological traits of hatchlings fitness (emergence success, length, weight and crawling speed); and size of the mother; and an environmental variable (incubation temperature). We suggest and propose two different comparative approaches for evaluating morphological traits and clutch paternity, in order to infer greater offspring survival. First, clutches coded by the exact number of fathers and second by the exact paternal contribution (fathers who gives greater proportion of the offspring per nest). We found significant differences (P < 0.05) in clutches coded by the exact number of fathers for all morphological traits. A general tendency of higher values in offspring sired by two to three fathers was observed for the length and weight traits. However, emergence success and crawling speed showed different trends which unable us to reach any further conclusion. The second approach analysing the paternal contribution showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) for any of the traits. We conclude that multiple paternity does not provide any extra benefit in the morphological fitness traits or the survival of the offspring, when analysed following the proposed comparative statistical methods.

scholarly journals Plasma cholinesterase activity as an environmental impact biomarker in juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas)

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-76
Author(s):  
Leandro A. Fonseca ◽  
Andres M.O. Orozco ◽  
Pollyanna C. Souto ◽  
Lorraine R.S. Dornelas ◽  
Wilson P.C. Filho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cholinesterase Activity ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Plasma Cholinesterase ◽  
Marine Turtles ◽  
Plasma Cholinesterase Activity ◽  
Green Turtles ◽  
Capture Site ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Two Populations

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate the enzymatic activity of plasma cholinesterase in Chelonia mydas marine turtles belonging to two populations, according to their capture sites, under the absence and probable influence of anthropic effects. A total of 74 animals were used and later divided into two groups, based on the capture site. Blood samples were collected from all captured animals, which were then released into the sea at the site of capture. A descriptive statistical analysis of the plasma cholinesterase activity values and an analysis comparing these values based on the capture site were performed. Samples of heparinized plasma from animals captured at the two different sites were analyzed. Plasma cholinesterase activity ranged from 121 to 248U/L, with a mean and standard deviation of 186.1±30.68U/L. When comparing plasma cholinesterase activity values in individuals based on the capture site, a significant difference was observed. Establishing reference values for different sea turtle populations is necessary to interpret future sampling results and to allow sea turtles to be used as sentinels of ecosystem health. Future studies are needed to evaluate other populations and the activity of plasma cholinesterase in juvenile marine turtles, in relation to environmental contamination.

Stock composition of green turtles Chelonia mydas foraging in the Ryukyu Archipelago differs with size class

2018 ◽  
Vol 600 ◽  
pp. 151-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Hamabata ◽  
H Nishizawa ◽  
I Kawazu ◽  
K Kameda ◽  
N Kamezaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Size Class ◽  
Ryukyu Archipelago ◽  
Green Turtles
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