Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / As tartarugas marinhas são espécies ameaçadas, altamente migratórias que apresentam um ciclo de vida longo e uma ampla distribuição geográfica. Assim, melhorar a nossa compreensão sobre a ecologia espacial das tartarugas marinhas é essencial para a elucidação de aspectos da sua história de vida e para o desenvolvimento de medidas eficazes de conservação. Esta tese compreende um conjunto de artigos ou capítulos que visam contribuir ao conhecimento da ecologia espacial da tartaruga-de-couro, Dermochelys coriacea. Este estudo utilizou novas tecnologias como à telemetria por satélite (que proporciona um método útil para monitorar os movimentos de espécies migratórias) e um conjunto de ferramentas de geoprocessamento como abordagem metodológica que visou: examinar os movimentos e migrações da tartaruga-de-couro, identificar áreas de uso intenso e padrões espaço-temporais no uso do habitat, e integrar dados biológicos e oceanográficos para descrever as estratégias comportamentais desta espécie. Cinco tartarugas-de-couro (um subaduto, dois machos adultos e duas fêmeas adultas) foram equipadas com transmissores por satélite no Atlântico Sul Ocidental entre 2005 e 2008. Além de fornecer dados de localização geográfica os tansmissores permitiram registrar informações de mergulho tais como profundidade e duração máxima e media dos mergulhos, perfis completos de mergulhos individuais e dados de temperatura do mar. Movimentos e migrações de tartarugas-de-couro marcadas no Atlântico Sul foram documentados pela primeira vez. Alem disso, foi posível identificar áreas de uso intenso (ou alimentação) previamente desconhecidas para a espécie, assim como uma residência sazonal nestas áreas localizadas em águas tropicais e temperadas fora da costa sul-americana (19-45S). A sazonalidade dos movimentos esteve intimamente associada a processos físicos sazonais de pequena e mesoescala. Dependendo do ambiente marinho explorado, durante os períodos de residência, as tartarugas apresentaram diferentes estratégias alimentares identificadas através da análise dos padrões de mergulho. / Sea turtles are long-lived, highly migratory endangered species with a wide distribution. Thus improving our knowledge of the spatial ecology of sea turtles is essential for elucidating aspects of their life history and for the development of effective conservation measures. This thesis comprises a collection of articles or chapters that aim to contribute to the knowledge of the spatial ecology of the leatherback turtle, Dermochelys coriacea. This study used new technologies such as satellite telemetry (which provides a useful approach for tracking the movements of migratory species) and a set of geoprocessing tools as a methodological approach that aimed to: examine the movements and migrations of leatherback turtles, identify high use areas and spatio-temporal patterns of habitat use, and integrate biological and environmental data to describe foraging strategies of this species. Five leatherback turtles (a subadut, two adult males and two adult females) were fitted with satellite transmitters in the Southwest Atlantic between 2005 and 2008. Besides providing geographical location data the transmitters also recorded dive information such as mean and maximum dive depth and duration, individual dive profiles and water temperature data. For the first time the movements and migrations of leatherback turtles tagged in the South Atlantic were documented. Previously unidentified high use areas (or foraging areas) were recognized for this species, also a seasonal residence along those areas located in tropical and temperate areas off the coast of South America (19-45 S). The seasonal movements were closely associated with small and mesoscale physical seasonal processes. Depending on the marine environment exploited during periods of residence, the turtles showed different foraging strategies identified through the analysis of the diving patterns.

Submitted by Rafael Santana (rafael.silvasantana@ufpe.br) on 2017-04-26T19:32:19Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Tese_B_Macena_Full_Tubaleia_oficial_FINAL_BIB.pdf: 3006322 bytes, checksum: 3a1ffaf6152b8966edc8c3989913e65f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-04-26T19:32:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Tese_B_Macena_Full_Tubaleia_oficial_FINAL_BIB.pdf: 3006322 bytes, checksum: 3a1ffaf6152b8966edc8c3989913e65f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-12-01 / CNPQ / Compreender detalhadamente a história de vida do tubarão-baleia é fundamental para assegurar a sua conservação. No entanto, apesar da espécie possuir distribuição circumglobal e ser relativamente bem estudada entre os elasmobrânquios, ainda existe uma grande escassez de informações relacionadas a muitos dos seus aspectos ecológicos e biológicos em todo o mundo, principalmente no que diz respeito aos seus movimentos migratórios e ciclo reprodutivo. No Oceano Atlântico, particularmente, a espécie vem sendo investigada majoritariamente no Golfo do México/ Mar do Caribe, permanecendo uma grande lacuna para o restante dessa bacia oceânica. O presente estudo representa a primeira iniciativa de investigação da distribuição espacial do tubarão-baleia em escala oceânica no sudoeste do Atlântico baseada em registros de ocorrências na costa do Brasil, além de ter sido o primeiro trabalho também sobre o rastreamento de tubarões-baleia na região equatorial. Com o objetivo de complementar o conhecimento acerca da distribuição geográfica e movimentação do tubarão-baleia nas regiões sudoeste e equatorial do oceano Atlântico, foram empregadas técnicas modernas de modelagem ecológica e rastreamento via satélite, além da utilização do método tradicional de censo visual para identificação de aspectos populacionais no Arquipélago de São Pedro e São Paulo (ASPSP). Primeiramente, foram realizadas predições referentes à distribuição espacial de habitats adequados para alimentação e inferências sobre a influência de variáveis ambientais específicas para ocorrência do tubarão-baleia na costa do Brasil/ sudoeste do oceano Atlântico. Em seguida, a sazonalidade, a abundância relativa e a estrutura populacional dos tubarões-baleia que visitam o ASPSP foram investigadas, incluindo inferências acerca da importância de ecossistemas insulares oceânicos para a parcela madura da espécie. Por fim, na terceira parte da Tese, os deslocamentos horizontais e verticais de tubarões-baleia marcados com transmissores via satélite no ASPSP foram descritos e o comportamento de mergulho avaliado com relação a fatores biofísicos e ambientais específicos. Os resultados obtidos no presente estudo são relevantes não somente para a conservação do tubarão-baleia, mas para o ecossistema marinho na costa do Brasil, de uma forma geral, posto que o mapeamento de habitats ideais para alimentação da espécie também serve para identificar áreas ecologicamente importantes para outras espécies. Ademais, a identificação do ASPSP como uma área importante para a parcela adulta dos tubarões-baleia ressalta sua importância ecológica no ciclo de vida da espécie, destacando a necessidade de se envidar maiores esforços para a conservação do local. / Understanding the life history of the whale shark is fundamental to assure its conservation. However, in spite of the circumglobal distribution of the species and the fact that it is relatively well studied among elasmobranchs, there is still a serious lack of information concerning its biology in the entire world, mainly regarding its migratory movements and reproductive cycle. In the Atlantic Ocean, particularly, the whale sharks have been predominantly studied in the Gulf of Mexico/Caribbean Sea, with a big gap still remaining for the rest of this ocean basin. Aiming to help to fill this gap on geographical distribution and movement patterns of whale sharks in the Equatorial and Southwest Atlantic regions, modern techniques of ecological modelling and satellite tracking were used, in addition to the use of scientific traditional method of visual census to describe the population aspects of the species in the archipelago of São Pedro and São Paulo (ASPSP). Firstly, geographical predictions of suitable habitats for whale shark feeding and inferences of the influence of specific environmental variables on the occurrence distribution in the Brazilian coast/southwestern Atlantic Ocean were conducted to describe the potential spatial distribution of the species. Then, the seasonality of occurrence, relative abundance and population structure of the whale sharks visiting the ASPSP were investigated, including a discussion regarding the importance of the insular oceanic ecosystems to the mature portion of the species. Finally, in the third part of the thesis, the horizontal and vertical displacements of whale sharks satellite tagged off ASPSP were described and the diving behavior assessed in relation to specific biophysical and environmental factors. The present study represents the first oceanic-scale spatial distribution investigation effort in the southwest Atlantic on whale shark presence records from the Brazilian coast, besides of being the first study using satellite tracking on the species in the equatorial Atlantic as well. The results presented here are of great relevance not only for the whale shark conservation but also for the Brazilian marine ecosystem, as the mapping of suitable feeding habitats could contribute to the identification of areas of ecological importance to other marine species. Moreover, the identification of the ASPSP as an important area for the mature part of whale shark populations highlights its ecological relevance on the species life cycle, emphasizing the need of increasing the conservation efforts in this habitat.

<div>Understanding what sea turtles are feeding on and where they are feeding is key to understand their overall biology and will aid in understanding what type of management actions are necessary in order to conserve and protect these endangered species. Here I set out to (1) examine the population-level isotopic profiles of three sea turtle species in the Eastern Tropical Pacific; (2) determine differences in their foraging strategies; (3) attempt to gain insights about their pre-nesting origins; and (4) determine whether body size would influence the isotopic values of an individual turtle.</div><div>Stable isotope analysis (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values) was conducted on tissue samples from 52 sea turtles nesting on Playa Cabuyal, Costa Rica; 28 Pacific green (<i>Chelonia mydas</i>), 20 olive ridley (<i>Lepidochelys olivacea</i>), and 4 leatherback (<i>Dermochelys coriacea</i>). Nine satellite transmitters were also deployed on a separate population of post-nesting Pacific green turtles from Playa Cabuyal.</div><div>Based on isotopic profiles, green turtles in the Eastern Tropical Pacific were found to be feeding at a higher trophic level when compared to green turtles in other regions and this was supported by their increased δ¹⁵N values (16 ± 0.8 ‰). Rather than shifting to herbivory as adults, green turtles foraging in the eastern Pacific are potentially remaining omnivorous. Tracking data further confirmed that green turtles are coastal migrators and are probably inhabiting areas with high δ¹⁵N values within this region. Olive ridley turtles are exhibiting similar behavior to olive ridley turtles elsewhere due to minimal variance in their isotopic profiles (δ¹³C = -15.1 ± 0.7 ‰, δ¹⁵N =14.2 ± 0.8 ‰) and their known nomadic behavior. Although a small sample size, leatherback turtles showed a shift in their foraging habitats suggesting they are also feeding inshore in addition to their pelagic behavior due to their increased δ¹³C values (-15.5 ± 0.4 ‰). Further, as body size increased in olive ridley’s, the δ¹⁵N values significantly decreased suggesting that larger turtles prefer deeper pelagic waters with less enriched N isotope concentrations. However, in order to rule out possible external factors influencing this relationship, knowing where the turtle is originating from is crucial. This project provides data for developing isoscapes in the Eastern Tropical Pacific to aid in understanding the spatial distribution of sea turtles and their foraging grounds and the impact that foraging area may have on overall biology of these species. This information can be used to prioritize high use foraging habitats and determine the most effective management practices for protecting these species and the prey and habitat on which they rely.</div>

No description available.

At Cape Gantheaume, Kangaroo Island (South Australia), adult male, lactating female and juvenile New Zealand (NZ) and Australian fur seals regularly return to the same colony, creating the potential for intra- and inter-specific foraging competition in nearby waters. I hypothesised that these demographic groups would exhibit distinct foraging strategies, which reduce competition and facilitate their coexistence. I analysed the diet of adult male, adult female and juvenile NZ fur seals and adult male Australian fur seals and studied the diving behaviour of adult male and lactating female NZ fur seals and the at-sea movements of juvenile, adult male and lactating female NZ fur seals. Female diet reflected that of a generalist predator, influenced by prey availability and their dependant pups� fasting abilities. In contrast, adult male NZ and Australian fur seals used larger and more energy-rich prey, most likely because they could more efficiently access and handle such prey. Juvenile fur seals primarily utilised small lantern fish, which occur south of the shelf break, in pelagic waters. Juveniles undertook the longest foraging trips and adult males conducted more lengthy trips than lactating females, which perform relatively brief trips in order to regularly nurse their pups. Unlike lactating females, some adult males appeared to rest underwater by performing dives that were characterised by a period of passive drifting through the water column. The large body sizes of adult males and lactating females facilitated the use of both benthic and pelagic habitats, but adult males dived deeper and for longer than lactating females, facilitating vertical separation of their foraging habitats. Spatial overlap in foraging habitats among the age/sex groups was minimal, because lactating females typically utilised continental shelf waters and males used deeper water over the shelf break, beyond female foraging grounds. Furthermore, juveniles used pelagic waters, up to 1000 km south of the regions used by lactating females and adult males. The age and sex groups in this study employed dramatically different strategies to maximise their survival and reproductive success. Their prey and foraging habitats are likely to be shaped by body size differences, which determine their different physiological constraints and metabolic requirements. I suggest that these physiological constraints and the lactation constraints on females are the primary factors that reduce competition, thereby facilitating niche partitioning.

At Cape Gantheaume, Kangaroo Island (South Australia), adult male, lactating female and juvenile New Zealand (NZ) and Australian fur seals regularly return to the same colony, creating the potential for intra- and inter-specific foraging competition in nearby waters. I hypothesised that these demographic groups would exhibit distinct foraging strategies, which reduce competition and facilitate their coexistence. I analysed the diet of adult male, adult female and juvenile NZ fur seals and adult male Australian fur seals and studied the diving behaviour of adult male and lactating female NZ fur seals and the at-sea movements of juvenile, adult male and lactating female NZ fur seals. Female diet reflected that of a generalist predator, influenced by prey availability and their dependant pups� fasting abilities. In contrast, adult male NZ and Australian fur seals used larger and more energy-rich prey, most likely because they could more efficiently access and handle such prey. Juvenile fur seals primarily utilised small lantern fish, which occur south of the shelf break, in pelagic waters. Juveniles undertook the longest foraging trips and adult males conducted more lengthy trips than lactating females, which perform relatively brief trips in order to regularly nurse their pups. Unlike lactating females, some adult males appeared to rest underwater by performing dives that were characterised by a period of passive drifting through the water column. The large body sizes of adult males and lactating females facilitated the use of both benthic and pelagic habitats, but adult males dived deeper and for longer than lactating females, facilitating vertical separation of their foraging habitats. Spatial overlap in foraging habitats among the age/sex groups was minimal, because lactating females typically utilised continental shelf waters and males used deeper water over the shelf break, beyond female foraging grounds. Furthermore, juveniles used pelagic waters, up to 1000 km south of the regions used by lactating females and adult males. The age and sex groups in this study employed dramatically different strategies to maximise their survival and reproductive success. Their prey and foraging habitats are likely to be shaped by body size differences, which determine their different physiological constraints and metabolic requirements. I suggest that these physiological constraints and the lactation constraints on females are the primary factors that reduce competition, thereby facilitating niche partitioning.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-05-19T17:30:41Z No. of bitstreams: 1 francielerezendedecastro.pdf: 2523026 bytes, checksum: 8193d983291bf26d154acc6d87190604 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-07-01T19:23:31Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 francielerezendedecastro.pdf: 2523026 bytes, checksum: 8193d983291bf26d154acc6d87190604 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-01T19:23:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 francielerezendedecastro.pdf: 2523026 bytes, checksum: 8193d983291bf26d154acc6d87190604 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-09 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O estabelecimento de um sistema representativo de Áreas Protegidas é parte das estratégias de conservação das baleias-jubarte (Megaptera novaeangliae Borowski, 1781). Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a representatividade das Áreas Prioritárias para a Conservação (APCs) e das Unidades de Conservação (UCs) considerando os movimentos desta espécie na costa brasileira. O uso destas Àreas por baleias-jubarte foi medido pela freqüência da ocorrência de posições registradas no interior das APCs e UCs. Dados de localização por telemetria satelital foram filtrados e modelados pelo Modelo de Estado e Espaço (State-Space Model) e sobrepostos aos polígonos representantes de cada APC e UC (banco de dados Ministério do Meio Ambiente - MMA e Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e Recursos Renováveis – IBAMA). As análises foram realizadas com o software R 2.11.1 e ArcGIS 9.3. De um total de 131 APCs registradas na, atualmente, conhecida área de distribuição da espécie na costa brasileira 53 Áreas Prioritárias para a Conservação foram usadas por baleias-jubarte. As frequências foram maiores dentro do que fora de APCs (p<0,001). E de 73 UCs registradas dentro da mesma área, 13 Unidades de Conservação foram usadas pela espécie e as freqüências foram menores dentro do que fora de UCs (p <0,001). Concluímos que as novas APCs identificadas, Áreas ainda não protegidas, são representativas considerando o movimento das baleias-jubarte. Já as Unidades de Conservação considerando a reduzida freqüência de ocorrência de baleias nestas Áreas já manejadas apresentam baixa representatividade. Estudos de telemetria por satélite mostram-se úteis para avaliar a representatividade das Áreas Prioritárias e Protegidas na conservação indireta de baleias-jubarte, contribuindo para estratégias de gestão da espécie em águas brasileiras. / The establishment of representative systems of Protected Area is part of conservation strategies of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae Borowski, 1781) conservation. This study aimed to evaluate the use of the Priority Areas for Conservation (PACs) and Conservation Units (CUs) by humpback whale along the Brazilian coast. The use was measured by the frequency of positions registered inside the PACs and CUs. Locations data from satellite telemetry were filtered and modeled by State Space Model and overlapped on the PACs and CUs shapes (Ministério do Meio Ambiente - MMA and Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e Recursos Renováveis – IBAMA databases). The analyses were performed using the software R 2.11.1 and ArcGIS 9.3. From a total of 131 PACs, recorded in the currently known limit of distribution in the Brazilian coast, 53 Priority Areas for Conservation were used by humpback whales. The frequencies were higher inside the PACs than outside (p<0,001). And from 73 UCs recorded, 13 Conservation Units were used by humpback whales and the frequencies were lower inside the CU’s than outside (p<0,001). We concluded that the PACs identified, areas not yet protected, are representative considering the movement of humpback whales. However, CU’s are still poorly representative for humpback whales conservation considering the low frequency of occurrence of whales in these areas already managed. Satellite telemetry studies are useful to assess the representativeness of Priority and Protected Areas in the conservation of humpback whales indirectly, contributing to strategies for management of the species in Brazilian waters.

<p>Effective conservation strategies for sea turtles require knowledge of animal movements and protection of biologically important habitats and life history stages. For breeding adult sea turtles, understanding both their inshore and pelagic spatial patterns is imperative to the successful protection of the species and the accurate identification of their vulnerabilities. This study provides insight into the inter-nesting, post-nesting, and foraging movements of green sea turtles (<i>Chelonia mydas</i>) that nest on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, by using satellite telemetry to track green turtles (n=12) during two nesting seasons (2017-18, 2018-19), and as they migrated to foraging grounds after the nesting season. These tracks were fit with a switching state space model to characterize movements, and then analyzed in relation to environmental and anthropogenic factors. Dive depth data was also used to determine utilization patterns within the water column. The 12 tagged turtles migrated for an average of 1064 km to two distinct foraging grounds, with 10 migrating west for an average of 1115 km to the coastal waters of Ghana, and 2 migrating south for an average of 1563 km to the coastal waters of Angola. Migrating turtles used both direct, pelagic migration strategies, and biphasal, coastal strategies, which included intermittent foraging throughout migrations. Dive depths varied depending on behavior, with an average of 19.3 m during inter-nesting, 12.6 m during migration and 8.5 m during foraging. Knowledge of inter-nesting habitat use, migration patterns, and foraging ground locations will be critical for the development of marine conservation management plans in the Gulf of Guinea and aide in sea turtle conservation efforts throughout the area. Additionally, spatial and dive depth data can inform zonal fishing regulators and provide information needed for modifications to fishing practices and gear that is most likely to reduce sea turtle bycatch. These data will provide a more complete understanding of marine areas critical to sea turtle conservation and aide in sustainable economic development in the Gulf of Guinea.</p><br>

Conventional methods for health assessment of wild-caught and stranded seals were used to describe the disease status of harbor seals in California. Clinical chemistry, infectious disease prevalence, immune function, and contaminant data were collected to evaluate harbor seal health with data collected from three groups of seals. Wild-caught seals of all ages were sampled at two locations: San Francisco Bay (a heavily urbanized estuary) and Tomales Bay (a less developed control site). Stranded seals entered rehabilitation from a more extensive portion of the California coast which included the locations where seals were caught. Hematology reference intervals were generated to provide a baseline for health assessment among the seals. Individual variability in blood variables among seals was affected by age, sex, location, and girth. Disease surveillance focused on pathogens known to cause lesions in harbor seals, zoonoses, and those with terrestrial sources. Specific pathogens of interest were E coli, Clostridium perfringens, Vibrio spp, Campylobacter spp, Salmonella, Giardia, Cryptosporidium, avian influenza virus, Brucella, Leptospira spp., Toxoplasma gondii, Sarcocystis neurona, and Neospora caninum, Leptospira spp, and phocine and canine distemper virus. There was evidence of exposure to all pathogens except for phocine distemper virus. Simple measures of immune response were used to evaluate the immune function of harbor seal pups in rehabilitation that had evidence of previous bacterial infection. The swelling response to a subcutaneous injection of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was positively associated with growth rate, possibly illustrating the energetic trade-offs between growth and immunity. Blubber contaminant concentrations (PCBs, DDTs, PBDEs, CHLDs, and HCHs) in harbor seal pups were grouped by extent of suckling and strand location. The ratio of PCB:DDT was increased in San Francisco Bay and decreased in Monterey Bay compared with other locations along the coast. Pups that weaned in the wild, lost weight and then stranded had the highest contaminant levels, equivalent to the concentrations detected in stranded adult harbor seals. Dispersal and survival were monitored by satellite telemetry in harbor seal pups released from rehabilitation and recently weaned wild-caught pups to assess the effect of condition, health, and contaminant levels on survival probability. Increased contaminant levels and decreased thyroxine (T4) were associated with decreased survival probability. Increased mass, particularly among the rehabilitated pups, was associated with increased survival probability. This study demonstrates that health and survival of harbor seals pups along the central California coast are impacted by human activities such as contaminant disposal, pathogen pollution and boat traffic, although the variability in individual health measures requires carefully designed studies to detect these effects.

Management and conservation of populations of animals requires information on where they are, why they are there, and where else they could be. These objectives are typically approached by collecting data on the animals’ use of space, relating these to prevailing environmental conditions and employing these relations to predict usage at other geographical regions. Technical advances in wildlife telemetry have accomplished manifold increases in the amount and quality of available data, creating the need for a statistical framework that can use them to make population-level inferences for habitat preference and space-use. This has been slow-in-coming because wildlife telemetry data are, by definition, spatio-temporally autocorrelated, unbalanced, presence-only observations of behaviorally complex animals, responding to a multitude of cross-correlated environmental variables. I review the evolution of techniques for the analysis of space-use and habitat preference, from simple hypothesis tests to modern modeling techniques and outline the essential features of a framework that emerges naturally from these foundations. Within this framework, I discuss eight challenges, inherent in the spatial analysis of telemetry data and, for each, I propose solutions that can work in tandem. Specifically, I propose a logistic, mixed-effects approach that uses generalized additive transformations of the environmental covariates and is fitted to a response data-set comprising the telemetry and simulated observations, under a case-control design. I apply this framework to non-trivial case-studies using data from satellite-tagged grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) foraging off the east and west coast of Scotland, and northern gannets (Morus Bassanus) from Bass Rock. I find that sea bottom depth and sediment type explain little of the variation in gannet usage, but grey seals from different regions strongly prefer coarse sediment types, the ideal burrowing habitat of sandeels, their preferred prey. The results also suggest that prey aggregation within the water column might be as important as horizontal heterogeneity. More importantly, I conclude that, despite the complex behavior of the study species, flexible empirical models can capture the environmental relationships that shape population distributions.