Title
First satellite tracks of neonate sea turtles redefine the 'lost years' oceanic niche
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
ISSN
0962-8452
Recommended Citation
"First satellite tracks of neonate sea turtles redefine the 'lost years' oceanic niche" (2014). Faculty Bibliography 2010s. 5793.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/facultybib2010/5793
Comments
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