Population Status of Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) Foraging in Arica Bay, Chile1

Sielfeld, Walter; Salinas-Cisternas, Paula; Contreras, Darío; Tobar, Marco; Gallardo, Jesús; Azocar, Cristian

doi:10.2984/73.4.6

Cited by 3 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Kemp's Ridley turtle ( Lepidochelys kempii ) may have a higher Fulton's condition index than green turtles due to interspecific morphological differences (Lamont & Johnson, 2021). Additionally, we did not evaluate the eastern Pacific green turtle subspecies, the black turtle ( Chelonia mydas agassizii ) because foraging grounds may contain both black turtle-like and ordinal green turtle-like morphotypes, and values have not been reported separately (Sielfeld et al ., 2019). However, a smaller Fulton's condition index has been reported in small juveniles of black turtle-like morphotypes than in ordinary green turtles (Sampson et al ., 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differences in the morphological body condition index of sea turtles between species and size classes

Nishizawa

Joseph

2022

J. Mar. Biol. Ass.

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The body condition of animals is an important indicator of their habitats and the effects of anthropogenic activities and pollution. Body condition indices calculated from morphometric measurements have been widely employed as they are easy to use and inexpensive. In sea turtles, Fulton's condition index, calculated as the bodyweight divided by the cube of straight carapace length (SCL), has been commonly used and it has been proposed that an index of ≥1.2 indicates a good body condition. However, comparing Fulton's condition index between different species and size classes is problematic as it does not consider the mass-length relationship. In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the differences between sea turtles. A literature review indicated that most studies reported the SCL-based Fulton's condition index for green turtles (Chelonia mydas), followed by loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) and hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata). Therefore, we compared the values reported for healthy turtles of these three species. Meta-analysis supported the adequacy of 1.2 as a threshold in juvenile and adult green turtles and large juvenile and adult loggerhead turtles. High Fulton's condition index values were found for hatchlings and post-hatchlings of all three species and small loggerhead turtle juveniles. Low Fulton's condition index values were found for hawksbill turtles, particularly small juveniles. The differences in the Fulton's condition index between species and size classes indicated that it should be used carefully as a threshold for health condition evaluation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differences in the morphological body condition index of sea turtles between species and size classes

Nishizawa

Joseph

2022

J. Mar. Biol. Ass.

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“…Easter Island turtles exhibited a body condition index (BIC) of 1.85, while those from Bahia Salado had a lower BIC (1.74). Easter Island values are also higher when compared to other green turtle Pacific aggregations (see [ 7 , 17 ]). Hand-feeding turtles by fishermen and tourists seems to be a common practice, especially in touristic places [ 53 , 69 , 70 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Until a few years ago, Playa Chinchorro represented the most important green turtle aggregation in Chile due to its high abundance [ 17 ]. However, there have not been turtle sightings in the area since 2018 (Alfredo Álvarez pers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous studies indicate that most individuals from Chelonia mydas Chilean aggregations are juveniles [ 7 , 15 ]. The northernmost FGs, where water temperatures are higher, also harbor adult turtles that include a higher proportion of females [ 17 ]. On the other hand, mainland Chilean FGs seem to exclusively host turtles corresponding to the black morphotype.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Genetics, Morphometrics and Health Characterization of Green Turtle Foraging Grounds in Mainland and Insular Chile

Álvarez-Varas

Medrano²,

Benítez

et al. 2022

Animals

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Two divergent genetic lineages have been described for the endangered green turtle in the Pacific Ocean, occurring sympatrically in some foraging grounds. Chile has seven known green turtle foraging grounds, hosting mainly juveniles of different lineages. Unfortunately, anthropic factors have led to the decline or disappearance of most foraging aggregations. We investigated age-class/sex structure, morphological variation, genetic diversity and structure, and health status of turtles from two mainland (Bahia Salado and Playa Chinchorro) and one insular (Easter Island) Chilean foraging grounds. Bahia Salado is composed of juveniles, and with Playa Chinchorro, exclusively harbors individuals of the north-central/eastern Pacific lineage, with Galapagos as the major genetic contributor. Conversely, Easter Island hosts juveniles and adults from both the eastern Pacific and French Polynesia. Morphological variation was found between lineages and foraging grounds, suggesting an underlying genetic component but also an environmental influence. Turtles from Easter Island, unlike Bahia Salado, exhibited injuries/alterations probably related to anthropic threats. Our findings point to establishing legal protection for mainland Chile’s foraging grounds, and to ensure that the administrative plan for Easter Island’s marine protected area maintains ecosystem health, turtle population viability, and related cultural and touristic activities.

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“…The green sea turtle (C. mydas agassizii) is one of the most abundant turtles in Peru, where there are several feeding grounds along the coast, including: the coasts of Tumbes (Punta Sal, Punta Mero, Bocapán, Puerto Pizarro, and Casitas) ∼3,5 -4°S, Punta Restín ∼4,5°S north of the Piura Region (Hays-Brown & Brown, 1982;Rosales et al, 2010); in Sechura Bay and the Virrilá estuary ∼5.7°S south of the Piura Region (Santillán, 2008;Cáceres et al, 2013;Jimenez et al, 2017;Paredes-Coral, 2017), Lobos de Tierra Island ∼6.5°S north of the Lambayeque Region (Quiñones et al, 2015a), Paracas Bay ∼14°S in the Ica Region (Hays-Brown & Brown, 1982;D e Paz et al, 2007;Velez-Zuazo et al, 2014;Quiñones et al, 2017), and Tambo de Mora ∼13.3°S in the same region (Aranda & Chandler, Región Ica (Aranda & Chandler, 1989), así como más al sur en Arica, Chile (Sielfed et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Parámetros poblacionales y biológicos de la tortuga verde del Pacífico este Chelonia mydas agassizii en Paracas-Pisco, principal zona de reclutamiento en el Pacífico sur este

et al. 2021

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Con el objetivo de determinar los principales parámetros poblacionales de la tortuga verde del Pacifico este (Chelonia mydasagassizii) el Instituto del Mar del Perú (IMARPE), mediante el Laboratorio Costero de Pisco, a partir del 2010 empezó las investigaciones biológicas en tortugas marinas, a través de monitoreos acuáticos en la ensenada de la Aguada, en Bahía Paracas, Pisco. Durante el periodo 2010- 2017 se determinó el largo curvo del caparazón (LCC), presentando promedio de 58,4 ± 7,9 cm (rango: 40,9 - 84,5 cm, n=438) con 88,7% de juveniles y 11,3% de sub-adultos. Estas tallas son las menores registradas en el Pacifico este para la especie. El número promedio de tortugas capturadas por km de red tendida por hora fue 1,03 ±1,23 (rango: 0 - 5,9, n=83). Los principales epibiontes capturados fueron de origen costero - nerítico: Platylepas hexastylos (40,5%, n=570), Stephanolepas muricata (13,4%, n=189), Conchoderma virgatum (13,1%, n=184), Ozobranchus margoi (12,9%, n=181), Chelonibia testudinaria (10,3%, n=145), y también de origen pelágico – oceánico: Lepas anatifera (8,5%, n=120), Planes cyaneus(0,8%, n=11) y Remora remora (0,6%, n=7). Se evidencia la gran importancia de Paracas como una exclusiva zona de reclutamiento desde zonas oceánicas. Durante lo que va del proyecto (2010 – 2017) se realizaron 46 recapturas, de las cuales 41 fueron juveniles y 5 sub-adultos, también se reportaron 5 triples recapturas (todos juveniles). La residencia en el área, expresada en el número promedio de días utilizados por la especie en el área de alimentación fue de 306,2 ± 166,9 días (rango: 170 - 708, n=26), la tasa de crecimiento fue de 7,4 ± 2,8 cm/año (rango: 2,0 – 11,7, n=26), ambos análisis se realizaron considerando recapturas mayores a 170 días. El índice de condición corporal (BCI) promedio por año y por estadio fue mayor en juveniles (1,49) con respecto a los sub-adultos (1,43). La mayoría de los parámetros poblacionales fueron favorables, lasaltas tasas de crecimiento y de BCI en conjunto con las bajas tasas de recapturas demuestran que esta es una población grande, saludable y con posibles bajos niveles de endogamia. Paradójicamente es preocupante que aun subsistan capturas incidentales y dirigidas en la zona, por lo que son necesarias y urgentes las medidas de conservación y fiscalización en la zona de Pisco - Paracas.

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Population Status of Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) Foraging in Arica Bay, Chile1

Cited by 3 publications

References 35 publications

Differences in the morphological body condition index of sea turtles between species and size classes

Differences in the morphological body condition index of sea turtles between species and size classes

Genetics, Morphometrics and Health Characterization of Green Turtle Foraging Grounds in Mainland and Insular Chile

Parámetros poblacionales y biológicos de la tortuga verde del Pacífico este Chelonia mydas agassizii en Paracas-Pisco, principal zona de reclutamiento en el Pacífico sur este

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