COMPORTAMENTO DE MOVIMENTAÇÃO HORIZONTAL E VERTICAL DA TARTARUGA-DE-COURO Dermochelys coriacea

The general biology of the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) still remains poorly understood, mainly because of its life-history characteristics. D. coriacea is a highly pelagic cosmopolitan species that spends most of its life in the open sea, and is able to perform transoceanic migrations from reproductive to foraging zones and back. Over their long travels throughout the sea, the leatherback turtle moves both horizontally (e.g., migrations) and vertically (i.e. dives) in response to different factors, like searching for suitable habitats for growth, feeding and reproduction. The present article is a  comprehensive review of the current knowledge about the horizontal and vertical behavioral movements performed by D. coriacea. An analysis of how these behaviors are influenced by different factors governing the ecology of this species is presented. Some studies indicate that oceanographic features are the key factors determining the movement patterns observed for D. coriacea, mainly during their geographic migrations and residence in feeding zones. In short, the leatherback turtle employs different navigation and dispersion strategies while in each different oceanic zone. On certain occasions, individuals may disperse in different directions while on other occasions they may follow a roughly uniform path across the sea. Movement trends during the nesting period vary between different oceanic zones depending on local topography and on the behavioral strategy adopted by the nesting females with respect to how to invest energy during the reproductive season (e.g., actively searching for prey versus limiting activity to reduce metabolic rate).La biología de la tortuga laúd (Dermochelys coriacea) aún es relativamente poco conocida, fundamentalmente debido a sus hábitos de vida. D. coriacea es una especie altamente pelágica y cosmopolita que pasa la mayor parte da su vida en el océano abierto, y que puede realizar migraciones transoceánicas entre áreas de reproducción y de alimentación. En sus extensos desplazamientos a través del océano,la tortuga de laúd ejecuta movimientos tanto horizontales (ej.  migraciones) como verticales (ej. buceos) que constituyen respuestas de comportamiento a diferentes factores como búsqueda de un ambiente apropiado para el crecimiento, alimentación y reproducción, entre otros. En este trabajo, presentamos una amplia revisión acerca del estado actual del conocimiento de los movimientos horizontales y verticales realizados por D. coriacea, analizando como estos comportamientos son influenciados por diferentes factores que determinan la ecología de la especie. Los estudios indican que las características oceanográficas constituyen factores claves en la determinación de los patrones de movimiento registrados para D. coriacea, principalmente durante lasmigraciones y durante su permanencia en áreas de alimentación. En general la tortuga laúd utiliza diferentes estrategias de navegación y dispersión en las diferentes regiones del océano, en algunos casos, los individuos de la especie se dispersan ampliamente en varias direcciones y en otros casos siguen un patrón relativamente uniforme y persistente a través del océano. Las tendencias de movimiento durante el período de desove varían en las diferentes zonas oceánicas, influenciadas por la topografía del lugar y por la estrategia de comportamiento  de las hembras en relación a los costos energéticos durante la temporada reproductiva (ej. comportamiento de búsqueda de alimento versus poca actividad para reducir el gasto metabólico).A biologia da tartaruga-de-couro (Dermochelys coriacea) é ainda relativamente pouco conhecida,fundamentalmente devido a seus hábitos de vida. D. coriacea é uma espécie altamente pelágica e cosmopolita que passa a maior parte da sua vida no oceano aberto, e que pode realizar migrações transoceânicas entre áreas de reprodução e de alimentação. Ao longo de sua extensa movimentação por porções oceânicas, a tartarugade-couro executa movimentos horizontais (ex. migrações) e verticais (ex. mergulhos) que constituem respostas comportamentais a diferentes fatores, como busca de ambiente apropriado para o crescimento, a alimentação e a reprodução, entre outros. No presente artigo, apresentamos uma revisão abrangente acerca do estado atual do conhecimento sobre os movimentos comportamentais horizontais e verticais realizados por D. coriacea, analisando como estes comportamentos são influenciados por diferentes fatores que regem a ecologia da espécie. Os estudos indicam que as feições oceanográficas constituem fatores-chave na determinação dos padrões de movimentação registrados para D. coriacea, principalmente durante as migrações e durante sua permanência em áreas de alimentação. Em geral a tartaruga-de-couro utiliza diferentes estratégias de navegação e dispersão nas diferentes regiões oceânicas, em alguns casos, os indivíduos da espécie se dispersam amplamente em varias direções e, em outros casos, seguem um padrão relativamente uniforme e persistente através do oceano. As tendências de movimentação durante o período de desova variam nas diferentes regiões oceânicas, influenciadas pela topografia do local e pela estratégia comportamental das fêmeas em relação aos custos energéticos durante a temporada reprodutiva (ex. comportamento de busca de alimento versus pouca atividade para reduzir o gasto metabólico)

Atlantic Leatherback Migratory Paths and Temporary Residence Areas

BACKGROUND: Sea turtles are long-distance migrants with considerable behavioural plasticity in terms of migratory patterns, habitat use and foraging sites within and among populations. However, for the most widely migrating turtle, the leatherback turtle Dermochelys coriacea, studies combining data from individuals of different populations are uncommon. Such studies are however critical to better understand intra- and inter-population variability and take it into account in the implementation of conservation strategies of this critically endangered species. Here, we investigated the movements and diving behaviour of 16 Atlantic leatherback turtles from three different nesting sites and one foraging site during their post-breeding migration to assess the potential determinants of intra- and inter-population variability in migratory patterns. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Using satellite-derived behavioural and oceanographic data, we show that turtles used Temporary Residence Areas (TRAs) distributed all around the Atlantic Ocean: 9 in the neritic domain and 13 in the oceanic domain. These TRAs did not share a common oceanographic determinant but on the contrary were associated with mesoscale surface oceanographic features of different types (i.e., altimetric features and/or surface chlorophyll a concentration). Conversely, turtles exhibited relatively similar horizontal and vertical behaviours when in TRAs (i.e., slow swimming velocity/sinuous path/shallow dives) suggesting foraging activity in these productive regions. Migratory paths and TRAs distribution showed interesting similarities with the trajectories of passive satellite-tracked drifters, suggesting that the general dispersion pattern of adults from the nesting sites may reflect the extent of passive dispersion initially experienced by hatchlings. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Intra- and inter-population behavioural variability may therefore be linked with initial hatchling drift scenarios and be highly influenced by environmental conditions. This high degree of behavioural plasticity in Atlantic leatherback turtles makes species-targeted conservation strategies challenging and stresses the need for a larger dataset (>100 individuals) for providing general recommendations in terms of conservation

Global Conservation Priorities for Marine Turtles

Where conservation resources are limited and conservation targets are diverse, robust yet flexible priority-setting frameworks are vital. Priority-setting is especially important for geographically widespread species with distinct populations subject to multiple threats that operate on different spatial and temporal scales. Marine turtles are widely distributed and exhibit intra-specific variations in population sizes and trends, as well as reproduction and morphology. However, current global extinction risk assessment frameworks do not assess conservation status of spatially and biologically distinct marine turtle Regional Management Units (RMUs), and thus do not capture variations in population trends, impacts of threats, or necessary conservation actions across individual populations. To address this issue, we developed a new assessment framework that allowed us to evaluate, compare and organize marine turtle RMUs according to status and threats criteria. Because conservation priorities can vary widely (i.e. from avoiding imminent extinction to maintaining long-term monitoring efforts) we developed a “conservation priorities portfolio” system using categories of paired risk and threats scores for all RMUs (n = 58). We performed these assessments and rankings globally, by species, by ocean basin, and by recognized geopolitical bodies to identify patterns in risk, threats, and data gaps at different scales. This process resulted in characterization of risk and threats to all marine turtle RMUs, including identification of the world's 11 most endangered marine turtle RMUs based on highest risk and threats scores. This system also highlighted important gaps in available information that is crucial for accurate conservation assessments. Overall, this priority-setting framework can provide guidance for research and conservation priorities at multiple relevant scales, and should serve as a model for conservation status assessments and priority-setting for widespread, long-lived taxa

Network analysis of sea turtle movements and connectivity: A tool for conservation prioritization

Aim: Understanding the spatial ecology of animal movements is a critical element in conserving long-lived, highly mobile marine species. Analyzing networks developed from movements of six sea turtle species reveals marine connectivity and can help prioritize conservation efforts. Location: Global. Methods: We collated telemetry data from 1235 individuals and reviewed the literature to determine our dataset's representativeness. We used the telemetry data to develop spatial networks at different scales to examine areas, connections, and their geographic arrangement. We used graph theory metrics to compare networks across regions and species and to identify the role of important areas and connections. Results: Relevant literature and citations for data used in this study had very little overlap. Network analysis showed that sampling effort influenced network structure, and the arrangement of areas and connections for most networks was complex. However, important areas and connections identified by graph theory metrics can be different than areas of high data density. For the global network, marine regions in the Mediterranean had high closeness, while links with high betweenness among marine regions in the South Atlantic were critical for maintaining connectivity. Comparisons among species-specific networks showed that functional connectivity was related to movement ecology, resulting in networks composed of different areas and links. Main conclusions: Network analysis identified the structure and functional connectivity of the sea turtles in our sample at multiple scales. These network characteristics could help guide the coordination of management strategies for wide-ranging animals throughout their geographic extent. Most networks had complex structures that can contribute to greater robustness but may be more difficult to manage changes when compared to simpler forms. Area-based conservation measures would benefit sea turtle populations when directed toward areas with high closeness dominating network function. Promoting seascape connectivity of links with high betweenness would decrease network vulnerability.Fil: Kot, Connie Y.. University of Duke; Estados UnidosFil: Åkesson, Susanne. Lund University; SueciaFil: Alfaro Shigueto, Joanna. Universidad Cientifica del Sur; Perú. University of Exeter; Reino Unido. Pro Delphinus; PerúFil: Amorocho Llanos, Diego Fernando. Research Center for Environmental Management and Development; ColombiaFil: Antonopoulou, Marina. Emirates Wildlife Society-world Wide Fund For Nature; Emiratos Arabes UnidosFil: Balazs, George H.. Noaa Fisheries Service; Estados UnidosFil: Baverstock, Warren R.. The Aquarium and Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project; Emiratos Arabes UnidosFil: Blumenthal, Janice M.. Cayman Islands Government; Islas CaimánFil: Broderick, Annette C.. University of Exeter; Reino UnidoFil: Bruno, Ignacio. Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones y Desarrollo Pesquero; ArgentinaFil: Canbolat, Ali Fuat. Hacettepe Üniversitesi; Turquía. Ecological Research Society; TurquíaFil: Casale, Paolo. Università degli Studi di Pisa; ItaliaFil: Cejudo, Daniel. Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; EspañaFil: Coyne, Michael S.. Seaturtle.org; Estados UnidosFil: Curtice, Corrie. University of Duke; Estados UnidosFil: DeLand, Sarah. University of Duke; Estados UnidosFil: DiMatteo, Andrew. CheloniData; Estados UnidosFil: Dodge, Kara. New England Aquarium; Estados UnidosFil: Dunn, Daniel C.. University of Queensland; Australia. The University of Queensland; Australia. University of Duke; Estados UnidosFil: Esteban, Nicole. Swansea University; Reino UnidoFil: Formia, Angela. Wildlife Conservation Society; Estados UnidosFil: Fuentes, Mariana M. P. B.. Florida State University; Estados UnidosFil: Fujioka, Ei. University of Duke; Estados UnidosFil: Garnier, Julie. The Zoological Society of London; Reino UnidoFil: Godfrey, Matthew H.. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission; Estados UnidosFil: Godley, Brendan J.. University of Exeter; Reino UnidoFil: González Carman, Victoria. Instituto National de Investigación y Desarrollo Pesquero; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Harrison, Autumn Lynn. Smithsonian Institution; Estados UnidosFil: Hart, Catherine E.. Grupo Tortuguero de las Californias A.C; México. Investigacion, Capacitacion y Soluciones Ambientales y Sociales A.C; MéxicoFil: Hawkes, Lucy A.. University of Exeter; Reino UnidoFil: Hays, Graeme C.. Deakin University; AustraliaFil: Hill, Nicholas. The Zoological Society of London; Reino UnidoFil: Hochscheid, Sandra. Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn; ItaliaFil: Kaska, Yakup. Dekamer—Sea Turtle Rescue Center; Turquía. Pamukkale Üniversitesi; TurquíaFil: Levy, Yaniv. University Of Haifa; Israel. Israel Nature And Parks Authority; IsraelFil: Ley Quiñónez, César P.. Instituto Politécnico Nacional; MéxicoFil: Lockhart, Gwen G.. Virginia Aquarium Marine Science Foundation; Estados Unidos. Naval Facilities Engineering Command; Estados UnidosFil: López-Mendilaharsu, Milagros. Projeto TAMAR; BrasilFil: Luschi, Paolo. Università degli Studi di Pisa; ItaliaFil: Mangel, Jeffrey C.. University of Exeter; Reino Unido. Pro Delphinus; PerúFil: Margaritoulis, Dimitris. Archelon; GreciaFil: Maxwell, Sara M.. University of Washington; Estados UnidosFil: McClellan, Catherine M.. University of Duke; Estados UnidosFil: Metcalfe, Kristian. University of Exeter; Reino UnidoFil: Mingozzi, Antonio. Università Della Calabria; ItaliaFil: Moncada, Felix G.. Centro de Investigaciones Pesqueras; CubaFil: Nichols, Wallace J.. California Academy Of Sciences; Estados Unidos. Center For The Blue Economy And International Environmental Policy Program; Estados UnidosFil: Parker, Denise M.. Noaa Fisheries Service; Estados UnidosFil: Patel, Samir H.. Coonamessett Farm Foundation; Estados Unidos. Drexel University; Estados UnidosFil: Pilcher, Nicolas J.. Marine Research Foundation; MalasiaFil: Poulin, Sarah. University of Duke; Estados UnidosFil: Read, Andrew J.. Duke University Marine Laboratory; Estados UnidosFil: Rees, ALan F.. University of Exeter; Reino Unido. Archelon; GreciaFil: Robinson, David P.. The Aquarium and Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project; Emiratos Arabes UnidosFil: Robinson, Nathan J.. Fundación Oceanogràfic; EspañaFil: Sandoval-Lugo, Alejandra G.. Instituto Politécnico Nacional; MéxicoFil: Schofield, Gail. Queen Mary University of London; Reino UnidoFil: Seminoff, Jeffrey A.. Noaa National Marine Fisheries Service Southwest Regional Office; Estados UnidosFil: Seney, Erin E.. University Of Central Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Snape, Robin T. E.. University of Exeter; Reino UnidoFil: Sözbilen, Dogan. Dekamer—sea Turtle Rescue Center; Turquía. Pamukkale University; TurquíaFil: Tomás, Jesús. Institut Cavanilles de Biodiversitat I Biologia Evolutiva; EspañaFil: Varo Cruz, Nuria. Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; España. Ads Biodiversidad; España. Instituto Canario de Ciencias Marinas; EspañaFil: Wallace, Bryan P.. University of Duke; Estados Unidos. Ecolibrium, Inc.; Estados UnidosFil: Wildermann, Natalie E.. Texas A&M University; Estados UnidosFil: Witt, Matthew J.. University of Exeter; Reino UnidoFil: Zavala Norzagaray, Alan A.. Instituto politecnico nacional; MéxicoFil: Halpin, Patrick N.. University of Duke; Estados Unido

Regional Management Units for Marine Turtles: A Novel Framework for Prioritizing Conservation and Research across Multiple Scales

Background: Resolving threats to widely distributed marine megafauna requires definition of the geographic distributions of both the threats as well as the population unit(s) of interest. In turn, because individual threats can operate on varying spatial scales, their impacts can affect different segments of a population of the same species. Therefore, integration of multiple tools and techniques - including site-based monitoring, genetic analyses, mark-recapture studies and telemetry - can facilitate robust definitions of population segments at multiple biological and spatial scales to address different management and research challenges. Methodology/Principal Findings: To address these issues for marine turtles, we collated all available studies on marine turtle biogeography, including nesting sites, population abundances and trends, population genetics, and satellite telemetry. We georeferenced this information to generate separate layers for nesting sites, genetic stocks, and core distributions of population segments of all marine turtle species. We then spatially integrated this information from fine-to coarse-spatial scales to develop nested envelope models, or Regional Management Units (RMUs), for marine turtles globally. Conclusions/Significance: The RMU framework is a solution to the challenge of how to organize marine turtles into units of protection above the level of nesting populations, but below the level of species, within regional entities that might be on independent evolutionary trajectories. Among many potential applications, RMUs provide a framework for identifying data gaps, assessing high diversity areas for multiple species and genetic stocks, and evaluating conservation status of marine turtles. Furthermore, RMUs allow for identification of geographic barriers to gene flow, and can provide valuable guidance to marine spatial planning initiatives that integrate spatial distributions of protected species and human activities. In addition, the RMU framework - including maps and supporting metadata - will be an iterative, user-driven tool made publicly available in an online application for comments, improvements, download and analysis

Comportamento de movimentação horizontal da tartaruga-de-couro dermochelys coriacea

The general biology of the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) still remains poorly understood, mainly because of its life-history characteristics. D. coriacea is a highly pelagic cosmopolitan species that spends most of its life in the open sea, and is able to perform transoceanic migrations from reproductive to foraging zones and back. Over their long travels throughout the sea, the leatherback turtle moves both horizontally (e.g., migrations) and vertically (i.e. dives) in response to different factors, like searching for suitable habitats for growth, feeding and reproduction. The present article is a comprehensive review of the current knowledge about the horizontal and vertical behavioral movements performed by D. coriacea. An analysis of how these behaviors are influenced by different factors governing the ecology of this species is presented. Some studies indicate that oceanographic features are the key factors determining the movement patterns observed for D. coriacea, mainly during their geographic migrations and residence in feeding zones. In short, the leatherback turtle employs different navigation and dispersion strategies while in each different oceanic zone. On certain occasions, individuals may disperse in different directions while on other occasions they may follow a roughly uniform path across the sea. Movement trends during the nesting period vary between different oceanic zones depending on local topography and on the behavioral strategy adopted by the nesting females with respect to how to invest energy during the reproductive season (e.g., actively searching for prey versus limiting activity to reduce metabolic rate).A biologia da tartaruga-de-couro (Dermochelys coriacea) é ainda relativamente pouco conhecida, fundamentalmente devido a seus hábitos de vida. D. coriacea é uma espécie altamente pelágica e cosmopolita que passa a maior parte da sua vida no oceano aberto, e que pode realizar migrações transoceânicas entre áreas de reprodução e de alimentação. Ao longo de sua extensa movimentação por porções oceânicas, a tartarugade- couro executa movimentos horizontais (ex. migrações) e verticais (ex. mergulhos) que constituem respostas comportamentais a diferentes fatores, como busca de ambiente apropriado para o crescimento, a alimentação e a reprodução, entre outros. No presente artigo, apresentamos uma revisão abrangente acerca do estado atual do conhecimento sobre os movimentos comportamentais horizontais e verticais realizados por D. coriacea, analisando como estes comportamentos são influenciados por diferentes fatores que regem a ecologia da espécie. Os estudos indicam que as feições oceanográficas constituem fatores-chave na determinação dos padrões de movimentação registrados para D. coriacea, principalmente durante as migrações e durante sua permanência em áreas de alimentação. Em geral a tartaruga-de-couro utiliza diferentes estratégias de navegação e dispersão nas diferentes regiões oceânicas, em alguns casos, os indivíduos da espécie se dispersam amplamente em varias direções e, em outros casos, seguem um padrão relativamente uniforme e persistente através do oceano. As tendências de movimentação durante o período de desova variam nas diferentes regiões oceânicas, influenciadas pela topografia do local e pela estratégia comportamental das fêmeas em relação aos custos energéticos durante a temporada reprodutiva (ex. comportamento de busca de alimento versus pouca atividade para reduzir o gasto metabólico).La biología de la tortuga laúd (Dermochelys coriacea) aún es relativamente poco conocida, fundamentalmente debido a sus hábitos de vida. D. coriacea es una especie altamente pelágica y cosmopolita que pasa la mayor parte da su vida en el océano abierto, y que puede realizar migraciones transoceánicas entre áreas de reproducción y de alimentación. En sus extensos desplazamientos a través del océano, la tortuga de laúd ejecuta movimientos tanto horizontales (ej. migraciones) como verticales (ej. buceos) que constituyen respuestas de comportamiento a diferentes factores como búsqueda de un ambiente apropiado para el crecimiento, alimentación y reproducción, entre otros. En este trabajo, presentamos una amplia revisión acerca del estado actual del conocimiento de los movimientos horizontales y verticales realizados por D. coriacea, analizando como estos comportamientos son influenciados por diferentes factores que determinan la ecología de la especie. Los estudios indican que las características oceanográficas constituyen factores claves en la determinación de los patrones de movimiento registrados para D. coriacea, principalmente durante las migraciones y durante su permanencia en áreas de alimentación. En general la tortuga laúd utiliza diferentes estrategias de navegación y dispersión en las diferentes regiones del océano, en algunos casos, los individuos de la especie se dispersan ampliamente en varias direcciones y en otros casos siguen un patrón relativamente uniforme y persistente a través del océano. Las tendencias de movimiento durante el período de desove varían en las diferentes zonas oceánicas, influenciadas por la topografía del lugar y por la estrategia de comportamiento de las hembras en relación a los costos energéticos durante la temporada reproductiva (ej. comportamiento de búsqueda de alimento versus poca actividad para reducir el gasto metabólico)