Studies on the Ecology and Conservation of Marine Turtles: With Particular Reference to the Mediterranean

Studies on the ecology and conservation of marine turtles were undertaken with particular reference to the populations in the eastern Mediterranean: 1) The reproductive biology and threats to both the green turtle {Chelonia mydas) and the loggerhead turtle (Care/ta caretla) nesting in Northern Cyprus (1992-1995) are described. 2) An assessment is made as to the effect of tagging of nesting marine turtles on their resultant behaviour and reproductive success. 3) An investigation is made into the efficacy of using Passive Integrated Transponders (PIT tags) as an allernative method of marking Mediterranean marine turtles. 4) Recent patterns of marine turtle strandings in the Mediterranean are described using datasets from Italy, Greece, Turkey and Cyprus. 5) Results of a survey of the attitudes and knowledge of artisanal fishermen regarding turtles and their bycatch off the coasts of Turkey and Northern Cyprus are presented. 6) Results are given of a small study involving the identification of the dietary items present in the gut of loggerhead turtles in the eastern Mediterranean. 7) An investigation is made into the use of stable isotope analysis of marine turtle proteins to discern trophic patterns in marine turtles. 8) Concentrations and patterns of organochlorine contaminants in marine turtles from Mediterranean and Atlantic waters are described and discussed in relation to feeding ecology. 9) Concentration of heavy metals in Mediterranean marine turtle tissues are described. 10) Results are presented regarding the molecular profile of loggerhead turtles nesting in Northern Cyprus and comparison is made with populations nesting in Greece and Turkey. 11) Patterns of marine turtle mortality in British waters (1992-1996) are described

Natural history contributions of the University of Glasgow Exploration Society to Scotland and the World

Expeditions with a natural history focus have been organised by University of Glasgow staff and students since the 1930s. The educational benefits of such expeditions to students have been reported by Harper et al. ( Journal of Biological Education 51, 3- 16; 2017). Here, we present a short history of these expeditions, concentrating on their scientific achievements. In addition to expedition reports, a large number of PhD theses, masters and honours project reports and scientific papers have been based on expedition work. Many biological specimens have been deposited in museums, including some new species. We provide case histories of four expedition locations, to demonstrate the variety of work done, and the value of returning many times to the same place: Scotland, Trinidad and Tobago, North Cyprus and Ecuador. A major problem for expeditions is funding. For many years, the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland ran a funding stream that was crucial to the viability of Scottish university expeditions, but this has sadly now closed. For Glasgow University expeditions, the Blodwen Lloyd Binns Bequest has provided a reliable source since 1994, and we hope that it will continue to do so

What goes in, must come out:combining scat-based molecular diet analysis and quantification of ingested microplastics in a marine top predator

Context: Microplastics (plastic particles &lt;5 mm in size) are highly available for ingestion by a wide range of organisms, either through direct consumption or indirectly, via trophic transfer, from prey to predator. The latter is a poorly understood, but potentially major, route of microplastic ingestion for marine top predators.Approach: We developed a novel and effective methodology pipeline to investigate dietary exposure of wild top predators (grey seals; Halichoerus grypus) to microplastics, by combining scat-based molecular techniques with a microplastic isolation method. We employed DNA metabarcoding, a rapid method of biodiversity assessment, to garner detailed information on prey composition from scats, and investigated the potential relationship between diet and microplastic burden.Results: Outcomes of the method development process and results of both diet composition from metabarcoding analysis and detection of microplastics are presented. Importantly, the pipeline performed well and initial results suggest the frequency of microplastics detected in seal scats may be related to the type of prey consumed. Conclusions: Our non-invasive, data rich approach maximises time and resource-efficiency, while minimising costs and sample volumes required for analysis. This pipeline could be used to underpin a much-needed increase in understanding of the relationship between diet composition and rates of microplastic ingestion in high trophic-level species.<br/

El uso de marcadores de ADN mitocondrial en tortuga boba (Caretta caretta) (Testudines: Cheloniidae) nidificando en la bahía de Kyparissia, Grecia, confirma la unidad de Grecia oriental y la estructuración regional

Genetic markers have been widely used in marine turtles to assess population structuring and origin of individuals in common feeding grounds, which are key elements for understanding their ecology and for developing conservation strategies. However, these analyses are very sensitive to missing information, especially from abundant nesting sites. Kyparissia Bay (western Greece) hosts the second largest Mediterranean nesting aggregation of the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), but the genetic profile of this nesting site has not, as yet, been described using the extended version of the historically used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) marker. This marker was genotyped for 36 individuals nesting at Kyparissia Bay and haplotype frequencies obtained were compared with published data from other Mediterranean nesting sites. The results confirmed the connection between Kyparissia and other western Greek nesting sites and the isolation of this western Greek group from other Mediterranean nesting areas. As a consequence of this isolation, this abundant group of nesting aggregations (almost 30% of the Mediterranean stock) is not likely to significantly contribute to the recovery of other declining Mediterranean units.El uso de marcadores genéticos ha sido muy extendido en tortugas marinas con el fin de determinar la estructura poblacional y el origen de individuos en zonas comunes de alimentación; elementos clave para entender su ecología y desarrollar estrategias efectivas de conservación. Sin embargo, este tipo de análisis es muy sensible a la falta de información de ciertas zonas de nidificación, especialmente de aquellas muy abundantes. El perfil genético de las tortugas nidificantes de la bahía de Kyparissia (Grecia occidental) todavía no ha sido descrito usando la versión extendida del marcador mitocondrial (mtDNA) usado históricamente en esta especie, a pesar de ser la segunda zona de nidificación más abundante de todo el Mediterráneo. Con el fin de cubrir este vacío de información, se secuenciaron 36 individuos nidificantes de la bahía de Kyparissia y se compararon las frecuencias de haplotipos obtenidas con datos publicados de otras zonas de nidificación del Mediterráneo. Los resultados confirmaron la conexión entre Kyparissia y otras zonas de nidificación de Grecia así como el aislamiento de este grupo de Grecia occidental con el resto de zonas de nidificación del Mediterráneo. Como consecuencia de este aislamiento, todo parece indicar que este abundante grupo de zonas de nidificación (casi el 30% de la producción del Mediterráneo) no podría contribuir de forma significativa a la recuperación del número de hembras nidificantes en otras poblaciones en declive del Mediterráneo

Cnidaria in UK coastal waters: description of spatio-temporal patterns and inter-annual variability

Note that the accepted version of this paper is available on open access in ORE at: http://hdl.handle.net/10871/15245Concern has been expressed over future biogeographical expansion and habitat capitalization by species of the phylum Cnidaria, as this may have negative implications on human activities and ecosystems. There is, however, a paucity of knowledge and understanding of jellyfish ecology, in particular species distribution and seasonality. Recent studies in the UK have principally focused on the Celtic, Irish and North Seas, but all in isolation. In this study we analyse data from a publicly- driven sightings scheme across UK coastal waters (2003–2011; 9 years), with the aim of increasing knowledge on spatial and temporal patterns and trends. We describe inter-annual variability, seasonality and patterns of spatial distribution, and compare these with existing historic literature. Although incidentally-collected data lack quantification of effort, we suggest that with appropriate data management and interpretation, publicly-driven, citizen-science-based, recording schemes can provide for large-scale (spatial and temporal) coverage that would otherwise be logistically and financially unattainable. These schemes may also contribute to baseline data from which future changes in patterns or trends might be identified. We further suggest that findings from such schemes may be strengthened by the inclusion of some element of effort-corrected data collection

First census of the green turtle at Poilão, Bijagós Archipelago, Guinea-Bissau: the most important nesting colony on the Atlantic coast of Africa

The island of Poilão in the Bijagós Archipelago, Guinea-Bissau, is known to be an important nesting site for the green turtle Chelonia mydas, but until recently there were no quantitative estimates of the number of clutches deposited annually. In 2000 a survey was carried out to assess the magnitude of nesting, and an estimated 7,400 green turtle clutches were deposited. Four nesting hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys imbricata were also encountered. This study confirmed that Poilão is one of the most important nesting sites for green turtles in the Atlantic, and the largest known nesting colony on the west coast of Africa. Traditionally Poilão has been regarded as a sacred site by the Bijagós people, and this has contributed to the conservation of these turtles. However, the development of fisheries in this region is an emerging threat. To conserve this site a National Marine Park was designated in August 2000.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Two hundred years after a commercial marine turtle fishery: the current status of marine turtles nesting in the Cayman Islands

Large populations of marine turtles breeding in the Cayman Islands were drastically reduced in the early 1800s. However, marine turtle nesting still occurs in the islands. The present-day status of this nesting population provides insight into the conservation of marine turtles, a long-lived species. In 1998 and 1999, the first systematic survey of marine turtle nesting in the Cayman Islands found 38 nests on 22 beaches scattered through the three islands. Three species were found: the green Chelonia mydas, hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata and loggerhead Caretta caretta turtles. Comparison with other rookeries suggests that the small number of sexually mature adults surviving Cayman&rsquo;s huge perturbations may be impeding population recovery. This shows the need to implement conservation measures prior to massive reductions in population size

New monitoring confirms regular breeding of the Mediterranean monk seal in Northern Cyprus

The Endangered Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus is one of the most threatened marine mammals. Across Cyprus, suitable habitat and presence of monk seals is well documented and, recently, camera-trap surveys in Southern Cyprus found there to be pupping. We present results of the first camera-trap surveys in Northern Cyprus spanning the pupping period. Four adult/subadults and three pups were identified in three of eight caves monitored with camera traps. One site on the north-west of the island supported at least three adult/subadult seals and pupping occurred there in 3 consecutive years. The breeding and resting sites identified require urgent conservation to manage threats of disturbance, coastal development and fisheries bycatch. To determine the size of this population, a long-term survey with greater and more continuous coverage is required

Transgenerational effects on development following microplastic exposure in Drosophila melanogaster

Background. Plastic pollution affects all ecosystems, and detrimental effects to animals have been reported in a growing number of studies. However, there is a paucity of evidence for effects on terrestrial animals in comparison to those in the marine realm. Methods. We used the fly Drosophila melanogaster to study the effects that exposure to plastics may have on life history traits and immune response. We reared flies in four conditions: In media containing 1% virgin polyethylene, with no chemical additives; in media supplemented with 1% or 4% polyvinyl chloride, known to have a high content of added chemicals; and control flies in non-supplemented media. Plastic particle size ranged from 23–500 µm. We studied fly survival to viral infection, the length of the larval and pupal stage, sex ratios, fertility and the size of the resultant adult flies. We then performed crossings of F1 flies in non-supplemented media and looked at the life history traits of the F2. Results. Flies treated with plastics in the food media showed changes in fertility and sex ratio, but showed no differences in developmental times, adult size or the capacity to fight infections in comparison with controls. However, the offspring of treated flies reared in non-supplemented food had shorter life cycles, and those coming from both polyvinyl chloride treatments were smaller than those offspring of controls.Fil: Jimenez-Guri, Eva. University of Exeter; Reino Unido. Stazione Zoologica Anton Dhorn; ItaliaFil: Roberts, Katherine E.. University of Exeter; Reino UnidoFil: García, Francisca C.. University of Exeter; Reino UnidoFil: Tourmente, Maximiliano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Longdon, Ben. University of Exeter; Reino UnidoFil: Godley, Brendan J.. University of Exeter; Reino Unid

Small-scale fisheries of Peru: a major sink for marine turtles in the Pacific

1. Over the last few decades, evidence of marine vertebrate bycatch has been collected for a range of industrial fisheries. It has recently been acknowledged that large impacts may also result from similar interactions with small-scale fisheries (SSF) due largely to their diffuse effort and large number of vessels in operation. Marine mammals, seabirds, turtles as well as some shark species have been reported as being impacted by SSF worldwide. 2. From 2000 to 2007, we used both shore-based and onboard observer programmes from three SSF ports in Peru to assess the impact on marine turtles of small-scale longline, bottom set nets and driftnet fisheries. 3. We reported a total of 807 sea turtles captured, 91Æ8% of which were released alive. For these three sites alone, we estimated c. 5900 turtles captured annually (3200 loggerhead turtles Caretta caretta, 2400 green turtles Chelonia mydas, 240 olive ridleys Lepidochelys olivacea and 70 leatherback turtles Dermochelys coriacea). 4. SSF in Peru are widespread and numerous (\u3e100 ports, \u3e9500 vessels, \u3e37 000 fishers), and our observed effort constituted c. 1% of longline and net deployments. We suggest that the number of turtles captured per year is likely to be in the tens of thousands. Thus, the impacts of Peruvian SSF have the potential to severely impact sea turtles in the Pacific especially green, loggerhead and leatherback turtles. 5. Implications of the human use of turtle products as ‘marine bushmeat’ are also raised as an important issue. Although such utilization is illegal, it is difficult to foresee how it can be managed without addressing the constraints to the livelihoods of those depending almost entirely on coastal resources. 6. Syntheses and applications. Our analysis demonstrates that, despite logistical challenges, it is feasible to estimate the bycatch per unit of effort in SSF by combining methods that account for fishing effort and bycatch, such as using onboard and shore-based observers. We highlight sea turtle bycatch in SSF in the southeast Pacific as a major conservation concern but also suggest possible paths for mitigation