Reproductive Biology of Atlantic Leatherback Sea Turtles at Sandy Point, St. Croix: The First 30 Years

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanne A. Garner ◽  
Duncan S. MacKenzie ◽  
Delbert Gatlin
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Sea Turtles ◽  
Leatherback Sea Turtles

COCCIDIAL INFECTION OF THE ADRENAL GLANDS OF LEATHERBACK SEA TURTLES (DERMOCHELYS CORIACEA)

2016 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 874-882 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara D. Ferguson ◽  
James F. X. Wellehan ◽  
Salvatore Frasca ◽  
Charles J. Innis ◽  
Heather S. Harris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adrenal Glands ◽  
Sea Turtles ◽  
Dermochelys Coriacea ◽  
Coccidial Infection ◽  
Leatherback Sea Turtles

Tursiocola neliana sp. nov (Bacillariophyceae) epizoic on South African leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) and new observations on the genus Tursiocola

Phytotaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 453 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROKSANA MAJEWSKA
Keyword(s):  
Sea Turtles ◽  
Central Area ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Dermochelys Coriacea ◽  
Eastern Coast ◽  
New Taxon ◽  
Freshwater Turtles ◽  
Diatom Genus ◽  
Leatherback Sea Turtles ◽  
Internal Side

Tursiocola, a presumably exclusively epizoic diatom genus, comprises species found on various aquatic animals such as cetaceans, manatees, and marine and freshwater turtles. The genus is characterised by linear or lanceolate valves with well-developed pseudosepta at both poles, a valvocopula with three pairs of siliceous tabs, and a butterfly-like structure extending from the central nodule on the internal side of the valve. The current study describes a novel species of Tursiocola, T. neliana Majewska sp. nov. that grows epizoically on leatherback sea turtles from the Eastern Coast of South Africa based on detailed observations using light and scanning electron microscopy. The new taxon resembles the other currently known sea turtle-associated Tursiocola species in possessing relatively small, slightly heteropolar valves with acute apices and a strongly reduced butterfly structure on the internal side. However, T. neliana differs from all other members of the genus in being distinctly dorsiventral, with a clearly bowtie-shaped central area, unequal stria density on two sides of the raphe-sternum, and up to 8 areolae per stria. The description of the new taxon brings the total number of the sea turtle-associated Tursiocola species known so far up to four. An emended description of Tursiocola is proposed based on the new observations presented in this and other recent reports. Furthermore, the current understanding of the genus ecology is summarised.

scholarly journals Behaviour of leatherback sea turtles, Dermochelys coriacea , during the migratory cycle

2005 ◽  
Vol 272 (1572) ◽  
pp. 1547-1555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael C James ◽  
Ransom A Myers ◽  
C. Andrea Ottensmeyer
Keyword(s):  
Sea Turtles ◽  
Satellite Telemetry ◽  
Biological Significance ◽  
Dermochelys Coriacea ◽  
Behavioural Patterns ◽  
Nesting Behaviour ◽  
Migratory Cycle ◽  
Leatherback Sea Turtles ◽  
Migratory Patterns ◽  
Nesting Beaches

Leatherback sea turtles, Dermochelys coriacea , undertake broad oceanic movements. While satellite telemetry has been used to investigate the post-nesting behaviour of female turtles tagged on tropical nesting beaches, long-term behavioural patterns of turtles of different sexes and sizes have not been described. Here we investigate behaviour for 25 subadult and adult male and female turtles satellite-tagged in temperate waters off Nova Scotia, Canada. Although sex and reproductive condition contributed to variation in migratory patterns, the migratory cycle of all turtles included movement between temperate and tropical waters. Marked changes in rates of travel, and diving and surfacing behaviour, accompanied southward movement away from northern foraging areas. As turtles approached higher latitudes the following spring and summer, they assumed behaviours consistent with regular foraging activity and eventually settled in coastal areas off Canada and the northeastern USA. Behavioural patterns corresponding to various phases of the migratory cycle were consistent across multiple animals and were repeated within individuals that completed return movements to northern waters. We consider the potential biological significance of these patterns, including how turtle behaviour relates to predator avoidance, thermoregulation and prey distribution.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document