First satellite tracks of neonate sea turtles redefine the 'lost years' oceanic niche

    Authors

    K. L. Mansfield; J. Wyneken; W. P. Porter;J. G. Luo

    Comments

    Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Proc. R. Soc. B-Biol. Sci.

    Keywords

    sea turtle 'lost years'; ocean migration; satellite telemetry; oceanic; stage sea turtles; Caretta caretta; thermal niche; CARETTA-CARETTA; BASKING BEHAVIOR; CHELONIA-MYDAS; GREEN TURTLES; GROWTH; MIGRATIONS; ECOLOGY; SCRIPTA; SURFACE; MODEL; Biology; Ecology; Evolutionary Biology

    Abstract

    Few at-sea behavioural data exist for oceanic-stage neonate sea turtles, a life-stage commonly referred to as the sea turtle 'lost years'. Historically, the long-term tracking of small, fast-growing organisms in the open ocean was logistically or technologically impossible. Here, we provide the first long-term satellite tracks of neonate sea turtles. Loggerheads (Caretta caretta) were remotely tracked in the Atlantic Ocean using small solar-powered satellite transmitters. We show that oceanic-stage turtles (i) rarely travel in Continental Shelf waters, (ii) frequently depart the currents associated with the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre, (iii) travel quickly when in Gyre currents, and (iv) select sea surface habitats that are likely to provide a thermal benefit or refuge to young sea turtles, supporting growth, foraging and survival. Our satellite tracks help define Atlantic loggerhead nursery grounds and early loggerhead habitat use, allowing us to re-examine sea turtle 'lost years' paradigms.

    Journal Title

    Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences

    Volume

    281

    Issue/Number

    1781

    Publication Date

    1-1-2014

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    9

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000332640400015

    ISSN

    0962-8452

    Share

    COinS