High fidelity of sea turtles to their foraging grounds revealed by satellite tracking and capture-mark-recapture: New insights for the establishment of key marine conservation areas

Movement ecology studies are essential to protect highly mobile threatened species such as the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), classified as an endangered species by the IUCN. In 2019, the South Atlantic subpopulation has been downlisted to ‘Least Concern’, but the maintenance of this status strongly relies on the pursuit of research and conservation, especially on immatures, which contribute to the demographic renewal of this subpopulation. Identifying marine areas used by immatures is therefore crucial to implement efficient measures for the conservation of sea turtles in the Caribbean. We analysed data of capture-mark-recapture of 107 (out of 299) immatures recaptured at least once in Martinique, and satellite tracked 24 immatures to investigate their site fidelity and habitat use. Our results revealed a strong fidelity to foraging grounds, with mean residence times higher than 2 years, and with a high degree of affinity for specific areas within the coastal marine vegetation strip. Home ranges (95% kernel contour) and core areas (50% kernel contour) varied from 0.17 to 235.13 km2 (mean ± SD = 30.73 ± 54.34 km2) and from 0.03 to 22.66 km2 (mean ± SD = 2.95 ± 5.06 km2), respectively. Our findings shed light on a critical developmental area for immature green turtles in the French West Indies, and should help to refine Regional Management Units and reinforce the cooperative network aiming at ensuring conservation of the species at international scale.

Keyword(s)

Green turtle, Habitat use, Home range, Residency, Developmental area, Seagrass

Full Text

FilePagesSizeAccess
Publisher's official version
82 Mo
Supplementary data
-178 Ko
Author's final draft
16796 Ko
How to cite
Siegwalt Flora, Benhamou Simon, Girondot Marc, Jeantet Lorène, Martin Jordan, Bonola Marc, Lelong Pierre, Grand Clément, Chambault Philippine, Benhalilou Abdelwahab, Murgale Céline, Maillet Thomas, Andreani Lucas, Campistron Guilhem, Jacaria François, Hielard Gaëlle, Arqué Alexandre, Etienne Denis, Gresser Julie, Régis Sidney, Lecerf Nicolas, Frouin Cédric, Lefebvre Fabien, Aubert Nathalie, Vedie Fabien, Barnerias Cyrille, Thieulle Laurent, Guimera Christelle, Bouaziz Myriam, Pinson Adrien, Flora Frédéric, George Francis, Eggenspieler Joffrey, Woignier Thierry, Allenou Jean-Pierre, Louis-Jean Laurent, Chanteur Bénédicte, Béranger Christelle, Crillon Jessica, Brador Aude, Habold Caroline, Le Maho Yvon, Robin Jean Patrice, Chevallier Damien (2020). High fidelity of sea turtles to their foraging grounds revealed by satellite tracking and capture-mark-recapture: New insights for the establishment of key marine conservation areas. Biological Conservation. 250. 108742 (8p.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108742, https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00644/75651/

Copy this text