Caractérisation des habitats benthiques et ponte des tortues marines autour du parc national de Campo-Ma’an (Cameroun)

Pour évaluer l’importance de la périphérie du parc national de  Campo-Ma’an pour la création d’un parc marin, une caractérisation des habitats benthiques a été réalisée durant 24 mois (2008-2009) et de suivi des plages pour évaluer l’importance de la population dans ce site. L’étude s’est faite à travers des suivis saisonniers de collecte  d’échantillons sous marins, grâce aux plongées sous marines dans les localités d’Ebodjé et de Mbodé. Des analyses révèlent 20 espèces d’algues marines, la distribution par groupes présente, 9 Rhodophycées (45%), 6 Phéophycées (30%) et 5 Clorophycées (25%). Ces différentes espèces sont distribuées dans 11 familles : Cladophoraceae, Dictyotaceae et Chaetangiaceae avec 3 espèces chacune ; Caulerpaceae, Gelidiaceae et Gracilariaceae 2 espèces chacune; Scytosiphonaceae, Squamariaceae, Sargassaceae, Grateloupiaceae, et Rhodomelaceae avec une espèce chacune. Des analyses des contenus stomacaux des spécimens des tortues marines prises mortes au filet confirment que ces algues font parties de l’alimentation des espèces fréquentant la zone. Des patrouilles nocturnes sur les plages de ponte ont été menées d’octobre 2008 à Mars 2009 ainsi que des sorties diurnes dans les pêcheries au retour des pêcheurs pour l’identification des espèces présentes, le comptage des traces, les relevés biométriques. Des résultats nous révèlent un total de3 450 oeufs provenant de 28 nids, soit une moyenne 150 ± 21,6 oeufs. Les incubations présentent des durées de 60 à 80 jours avec une moyenne de 70 jours.© 2013 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Mots clés: Habitats benthiques, algues marines, ponte, tortues marines, Cameroun

Monitoring the green turtle population Chelonia mydas (Linné, 1758) in the coastal region of Campo Ma’an national park (South Cameroon)

In Cameroon, marine turtles are usually captured accidentally in fishing nets. Among the species captured, the green turtles are captured through out the year but they lay eggs on the coast irregularly. To carry out study on Chelonia mydas, data on the identification of 77 Sea Turtles was collected from 1998 to 2005 using sea turtle carapace on sale along the road and in all households of the 10 villages between 75 Km from of Kribi and Campo. The capture and recapture method was used with the participation of fishermen and the regional marine turtles protection team. To identify and measure live or dead turtles and to tag with MONEL flipper tags, all live and untagged turtles caught in the nets of local fishermen, we were present when fishermen returned from fishing trips. Turtles captured having tag numbers were registered by their tag numbers. The team also carried out monitoring of nests along the 15 km beach between Mbendji and Bekolobe for four years (1998 to 2002). 134 turtles were tagged and released in the wild. A total of 209 green turtles (Chelonia mydas) were identified and measured along the coastal zone of the Campo Ma'an national park. The average curved carapace length was 50, 29 cm and the width was 49, 99 cm. In the small classes of curved carapace length (30- 40) cm, the animals increase till a maximum of class length (45-50) cm and the number decreases progressively and stops when the values of the class length are 70-75 cm. Among the tagged animals, 18 were recaptured approximately 3 km from the release site, thus indicating relative sedentary juvenile green turtles around the Campo Ma'an coastline. Only one sea turtle migrated into the Equatorial Guinea coastline after two years.Keywords: Chelonia mydas, tagged turtle, feeding habitat, recaptured turtl

Using Satellite Tracking to Optimize Protection of Long-Lived Marine Species: Olive Ridley Sea Turtle Conservation in Central Africa

Tractable conservation measures for long-lived species require the intersection between protection of biologically relevant life history stages and a socioeconomically feasible setting. To protect breeding adults, we require knowledge of animal movements, how movement relates to political boundaries, and our confidence in spatial analyses of movement. We used satellite tracking and a switching state-space model to determine the internesting movements of olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) (n = 18) in Central Africa during two breeding seasons (2007-08, 2008-09). These movements were analyzed in relation to current park boundaries and a proposed transboundary park between Gabon and the Republic of Congo, both created to reduce unintentional bycatch of sea turtles in marine fisheries. We additionally determined confidence intervals surrounding home range calculations. Turtles remained largely within a 30 km radius from the original nesting site before departing for distant foraging grounds. Only 44.6 percent of high-density areas were found within the current park but the proposed transboundary park would incorporate 97.6 percent of high-density areas. Though tagged individuals originated in Gabon, turtles were found in Congolese waters during greater than half of the internesting period (53.7 percent), highlighting the need for international cooperation and offering scientific support for a proposed transboundary park. This is the first comprehensive study on the internesting movements of solitary nesting olive ridley sea turtles, and it suggests the opportunity for tractable conservation measures for female nesting olive ridleys at this and other solitary nesting sites around the world. We draw from our results a framework for cost-effective protection of long-lived species using satellite telemetry as a primary tool

Use and commercialization of Podocnemis expansa (Schweiger 1812) (Testudines: Podocnemididae) for medicinal purposes in two communities in North of Brazil

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Throughout Brazil a large number of people seek out reptiles for their meat, leather, ornamental value and supposed medicinal importance. However, there is a dearth of information on the use of reptiles in folk medicine. In North Brazil, the freshwater turtle, <it>Podocnemis expansa</it>, is one of the most frequently used species in traditional medicines. Many products derived from <it>P. expansa </it>are utilized in rural areas and also commercialized in outdoor markets as a cure or treatment for different diseases. Here we document the use and commercialization of <it>P. expansa </it>for medicinal purposes in the state of Pará, Northern Brazil.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data were gathered through interview-questionnaires, with some questions left open-ended. Information was collected in two localities in Pará State, North of Brazil. In the City of Belém, data was collected through interviews with 23 herbs or root sellers (13 men and 10 women). Attempts were made to interview all animal merchants in the markets visited. In fishing community of the Pesqueiro Beach, interviews were done with 41 inhabitants (23 men and 18 women) and during the first contacts with the local population, we attempted to identify local people with a specialized knowledge of medicinal animal usage.</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>P. expansa </it>was traded for use in traditional medicines and cosmetics. Fat and egg shells were used to treat 16 different diseases. Turtle fat was the main product sold. The demand for these products is unknown. However, the use of this species in folk medicine might have a considerable impact on wild population, and this must be taken into account for the conservation and management of this species.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results indicated that the use and commercialization of <it>P. expansa </it>products for medicinal purposes is common in North of Brazil. More studies regarding the use and commerce of Brazilian turtles are urgently needed in order to evaluate the real impact of such activities on natural populations. We hope that our findings about the trade and use of <it>P. expansa </it>in folk medicine will motivate further studies on the use of animals in folk medicine and its implications for conservation.</p

Les tortues marines de l'île Clipperton

 Les tortues marines de l'île Clipperton. Les tortues marines en France métropolitaine et d'Outre-mer" : bilans et perspectives des programmes de recherche et de conservatio

Les tortues marines de l'île Clipperton

Les tortues marines de l'île Clipperton. Les tortues marines en France métropolitaine et d'Outre-mer" : bilans et perspectives des programmes de recherche et de conservatio

Observations biometriques et ethnozoologiques preliminaires sure les tortues marines au Togo

No Abstract. J. Rech. Sci. Univ. Lomé (Togo) Vol. 7(1) (Serie A) 2005: pp. 45-5