The effect of biologging systems on reproduction, growth and survival of adult sea turtles.

Autor: Omeyer LCM; 1Marine Turtle Research Group, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE United Kingdom., Fuller WJ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Near East University, Nicosia, Mersin 10, North Cyprus Turkey.; Society for the Protection of Turtles, PK.65 Kyrenia, Mersin 10, North Cyprus Turkey., Godley BJ; 1Marine Turtle Research Group, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE United Kingdom., Snape RTE; 1Marine Turtle Research Group, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE United Kingdom.; Society for the Protection of Turtles, PK.65 Kyrenia, Mersin 10, North Cyprus Turkey., Broderick AC; 1Marine Turtle Research Group, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE United Kingdom.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Movement ecology [Mov Ecol] 2019 Jan 29; Vol. 7, pp. 2. Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Jan 29 (Print Publication: 2019).
DOI: 10.1186/s40462-018-0145-1
Abstrakt: Background: Telemetry and biologging systems, 'tracking' hereafter, have been instrumental in meeting the challenges associated with studying the ecology and behaviour of cryptic, wide-ranging marine mega-vertebrates. Over recent decades, globally, sea turtle tracking has increased exponentially, across species and life-stages, despite a paucity of studies investigating the effects of such devices on study animals. Indeed, such studies are key to informing whether data collected are unbiased and, whether derived estimates can be considered typical of the population at large.
Methods: Here, using a 26-year individual-based monitoring dataset on sympatric green ( Chelonia mydas ) and loggerhead ( Caretta caretta ) turtles, we provide the first analysis of the effects of device attachment on reproduction, growth and survival of nesting females.
Results: We found no significant difference in growth and reproductive correlates between tracked and non-tracked females in the years following device attachment. Similarly, when comparing pre- and post-tracking data, we found no significant difference in the reproductive correlates of tracked females for either species or significant carry-over effects of device attachment on reproductive correlates in green turtles. The latter was not investigated for loggerhead turtles due to small sample size. Finally, we found no significant effects of device attachment on return rates or survival of tracked females for either species.
Conclusion: While there were no significant detrimental effects of device attachment on adult sea turtles in this region, our study highlights the need for other similar studies elsewhere and the value of long-term individual-based monitoring.
Competing Interests: All applicable international, national and/or institutional guidelines of the care and use of animals were followed. Fieldwork was approved by the University of Exeter Ethics Committee.Not applicable.The authors declare that they have no competing interests.Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Databáze: MEDLINE
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