The most recent climate change projections show a global increase in temperatures along with precipitation changes throughout the 21st century. However, regional projections do not always match global projections and species with global distributions may exhibit varying regional susceptibility to climate change. Here we show the effect of local climatic conditions on the hatchling output of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) at four nesting sites encompassing the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans. We found a heterogeneous effect of climate. Hatchling output increased with long-term precipitation in areas with dry climatic conditions (Playa Grande, Pacific Ocean and Sandy Point, Caribbean Sea), but the effect varied in areas where precipitation was high (Pacuare, Caribbean Sea) and was not detected at the temperate site (Maputaland, Indian Ocean). High air temperature reduced hatchling output only at the area experiencing seasonal droughts (Playa Grande). Climatic projections showed a drastic increase in air temperature and a mild decrease in precipitation at all sites by 2100. The most unfavorable conditions were projected for Sandy Point where hatching success has already declined over time along with precipitation levels. The heterogeneous effect of climate may lead to local extinctions of leatherback turtles in some areas but survival in others by 2100.

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Resumen. Reportamos estimados de la supervivencia de nidos y pichones, y la dinámica de lugares de anidación de Sternula antillarum. Los estimados son los primeros para el Caribe y se derivaron usando acercamientos probabilísticos basados en datos tomados entre 2003 y 2006 en 4640 nidos y 44 pichones con radio transmisores en 52 colonias en Santa Cruz, Islas Vírgenes, EEUU. Excluyendo colonias manejadas, la tasa de supervivencia diaria de los nidos fue 0.92 ± 0.03 (supervivencia de los nidos = 0.18). Las colonias manejadas (cercadas) tuvieron tasas de supervivencia diaria significativamente más altas (0.97 ± 0.02; supervivencia de los nidos = 0.51). La variación en la supervivencia de los nidos fue mejor explicada por una tendencia linear negativa en la supervivencia diaria y fue influencida por el año, la lluvia, las colonias grandes y el hábitat. La supervivencia diaria de los nidos en playas arenosas (0.94 ± 0.02), cayos (0.93 ± 0.005) y salinas (0.91 ± 0.02) no fue significativamente distinta. La supervivencia durante la etapa de pichón fue 0.30 ± 0.11. El número de volantones por intento de anidación fue 0.06. Evaluaciones demográficas sugieren que se requieren tasas reproductivas más altas para el mantenimiento de la población (λ ≥ 1). Las colonias manejadas podrían alcanzar el umbral para la etapa de nido pero se necesitarían medidas complementarias para alcanzar el de pichón. Nuestros hallazgos sugieren que los esfuerzos de manejo deben dirigirse a lugares que albergan colonias grandes, porque éstas tuvieron tasas de supervivencia de nidos más alta y mayor probabilidad de ser re-utilizadas. La dinámica de las colonias sugirió que la inmigración desde otras poblaciones es posible. Esta posibilidad relajaría los umbrales de productividad y sugiere la importancia de realizar esfuerzos coordinados de conservación entre poblaciones de islas vecinas. Es necesario contar con estimados de la supervivencia específicos por edades y estimados de la conectividad para precisar el estatus de la especie y establecer prioridades de conservación.Abstract. We report nest and chick survival and colony-site dynamics of the Least Tern (Sternula antillarum). These results are the first for the Caribbean and were derived with likelihood-based approaches from 4640 nests and 44 chicks fitted with transmitters monitored in 52 colonies at St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, 2003-2006. managed colonies excluded, overall daily nest survival (±SE) was 0.92 ± 0.03 (period survival = 0.18). Daily nest survival of managed colonies (fenced) was significantly higher (0.97 ± 0.02; period survival = 0.51). Variation in nest survival was best explained by a negative linear trend in daily survival, influenced by year, rain, large colony size, and nesting habitat. Daily nest-survival rates at sandy beaches (0.94 ± 0.02), offshore cays (0.93 ± 0.005), and saltflats (0.91 ± 0.02) did not differ significantly. The period survival of chicks was 0.30 ± 0.11. Estimated fledglings per nest attempt were 0.06. Demographic assessments suggested that higher r...

During 2019–2020, the Virgin Islands Department of Health investigated potential animal reservoirs of Leptospira spp., the bacteria that cause leptospirosis. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated Leptospira spp. exposure and carriage in the small Indian mongoose (Urva auropunctata, syn: Herpestes auropunctatus), an invasive animal species. This study was conducted across the three main islands of the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), which are St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. We used the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), fluorescent antibody test (FAT), real-time polymerase chain reaction (lipl32 rt-PCR), and bacterial culture to evaluate serum and kidney specimens and compared the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of these laboratory methods. Mongooses (n = 274) were live-trapped at 31 field sites in ten regions across USVI and humanely euthanized for Leptospira spp. testing. Bacterial isolates were sequenced and evaluated for species and phylogenetic analysis using the ppk gene. Anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies were detected in 34% (87/256) of mongooses. Reactions were observed with the following serogroups: Sejroe, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pyrogenes, Mini, Cynopteri, Australis, Hebdomadis, Autumnalis, Mankarso, Pomona, and Ballum. Of the kidney specimens examined, 5.8% (16/270) were FAT-positive, 10% (27/274) were culture-positive, and 12.4% (34/274) were positive by rt-PCR. Of the Leptospira spp. isolated from mongooses, 25 were L. borgpetersenii, one was L. interrogans, and one was L. kirschneri. Positive predictive values of FAT and rt-PCR testing for predicting successful isolation of Leptospira by culture were 88% and 65%, respectively. The isolation and identification of Leptospira spp. in mongooses highlights the potential role of mongooses as a wildlife reservoir of leptospirosis; mongooses could be a source of Leptospira spp. infections for other wildlife, domestic animals, and humans.