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Isotope analysis reveals foraging area dichotomy for Atlantic leatherback turtles
Caut, S.; Fossette, S.; Guirlet, E.; Angulo, E.; Das, K.; Girondot, M.; Georges, J.-Y. (2008). Isotope analysis reveals foraging area dichotomy for Atlantic leatherback turtles. PLoS One 3(3): e1845 [1-10]. dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0001845
In: PLoS One. Public Library of Science: San Francisco. ISSN 1932-6203; e-ISSN 1932-6203, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keywords
    Analysis > Mathematical analysis > Statistical analysis > Correlation analysis
    Animals > Chordata > Vertebrates > Reptiles > Testudines > Meat animals > Turtles
    Behaviour > Feeding behaviour
    Behaviour > Feeding behaviour > Foraging behaviour
    Biology > Physiology
    Conservation
    Food consumption
    Food intake
    Habitat selection
    Ingestion > Intake > Food intake > Ingestion > Intake > Food intake > Ingestion > Intake > Food intake
    Isotopes
    Isotopes > Stable isotopes
    Nesting
    Population dynamics
    Reproduction
    Sex > Females
    Taxa > Species
    Techniques > Sampling > Blood sampling
    Turtles
    Dermochelys coriacea (Vandelli, 1761) [WoRMS]; Testudines [WoRMS]
    Marine/Coastal

Authors  Top 
  • Caut, S., more
  • Fossette, S.
  • Guirlet, E., more
  • Angulo, E.
  • Das, K., more
  • Girondot, M.
  • Georges, J.-Y.

Abstract
    Background: The leatherback turtle (Dermachelys corlacea) has undergone a dramatic decline over the last 25 years, and this is believed to be primarily the results of mortality associated with fisheries bycatch followed by egg and nesting female harvest, Atlantic leatherback turtles undertake long migrations across ocean basins from subtropical and tropical nesting beaches to productive frontal areas; Migration between two nesting seasons can last 2 or 3 years, a time period termed the remigration interval (RI). Recent satellite transmitter data revealed that Atlantic leatherbacks follow two major dispersion patterns after nesting season, through the North Gulf Stream area or more eastward across the North Equatorial Current. However, information on the whole RI is lacking, precluding the accurate identification of feeding areas where conservation measures may need to be applied. Methodology/Principal Findings: Using stable isotopes as dietary tracers we determined the characteristics of feeding grounds of leatherback females nesting in French Guíana. During migration, 3-year RI females diffred from 2-year RI females in their isotope values, implying differences in their choice of feeding habitats (offshore vs. more coastal) and foraging latitude (North Atlantic vs. West African coasts, respectively). Egg-yolk and blood isotope values are correlated in nesting females, indicating that egg analysis is a useful tool for assessing isotope values in these turtles, including adults when not available. Conclusions/Significance: Our results complement previous data on turtle movements during the first year following the nesting season, integrating the diet consumed during the year before nesting. We suggest that the French Guiana leatherback population segregates into two distinct isotopic groupings, and highlight the urgent need to determine the feeding habitats of the turtle in the Atlantic in order to protect this species from incidental take by commercial fisheries. Our results also emphasize the use of eggs, a less-invasive sampling material than blood, to assess isotopic data and feeding habits for adult female leatherbacks.

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