Dry Tortugas National Park (DRTO) consists of 261.8 km2 in the Gulf of Mexico and provides protection to marine species facing a multitude of threats. Among the many species that utilize DRTO is the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas). I examined seven years of capture-recapture data to determine how the body condition (using Fulton’s equation, K = M/L3) and growth rate for juvenile green turtles vary within, and among size classes in DRTO, and how those rates compare to similar populations in other locations. Body conditions ranged from 0.77 to 1.71 (mean 1.3 SD ± 0.16). Growth rates ranged from 2.5 to 9.9cm/yr (mean 5.5 cm/yr SD ± 1.25), which is a high growth rate for green turtles. Establishing growth rates and body condition for a specific population can provide insight into life history and health of that population, as well as important data for comparison to populations in other areas. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015 / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Little is known about the visual capabilities of marine turtles. The ability to discriminate between colors has not been adequately demonstrated on the basis of behavioral criteria. I used a three-part methodology to determine if color discrimination occurred. FIrst, I exposed naèive, light-adapted hatchlings to either a blue, green or yellow light. I manipulated light intensity to obtain a behavioral phototaxis threshold to each color, which provided a range of intensities we knew turtles could detect. Second, I used food to train older turtles to swim toward one light color, and then to discriminate between the rewarded light and another light color ; lights were presented at intensities equally above the phototaxis threshold. Lastly, I varied light intensity so that brightness could not be used as a discrimination cue. Six turtles completed this task and showed a clear ability to select a rewarded over a non-rewarded color, regardless of stimulus intensity. Turtles most rapidly learned to associate shorter wavelengths (blue) with food. My results clearly show loggerheads have color vision. Further investigation is required to determine how marine turtles exploit this capability. / by Morgan Young. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2012. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2012. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Fibropapilomatose (FP) é uma doença caracterizada por múltiplas massas de tumores cutâneos variando de 0,1 a mais de 30 cm em diâmetro. Afeta primariamente tartarugas-verdes (Chelonia mydas), mas também outras espécies de tartarugas marinhas ao redor do mundo. O objetivo deste estudo é, através de dados já sistematicamente coletados pelo Programa Brasileiro de Proteção, Pesquisa e manejo das Tartarugas Marinhas - Projeto TAMAR-IBAMA, caracterizar, no tempo e no espaço, a ocorrência desta doença em tartarugas marinhas na costa brasileira, entre os anos de 2000 a 2005. As tartarugas encontradas, vivas ou mortas, foram identificadas, medidas e examinadas quanto à presença ou ausência de tumores. Nesse período foram examinadas 10.170 tartarugas marinhas, sendo 1.243 tartarugas-de-pente, (Eretmochelys imbricata), das quais 2 apresentaram tumores; entre as 250 tartarugas- cabeçudas, (Caretta caretta), 5 apresentaram tumores; entre as 288 tartarugas-oliva (Lepidochelys olivacea), 3 apresentaram tumores; nenhuma das 30 tartarugas-gigantes, (Dermochelys coriacea) examinadas tinham tumores. A maior parte dos registros (82,20 %; 8.359 de 10.170) correspondeu a tartarugas-verdes (Chelonia mydas), das quais 1.288 apresentavam tumores. Foram coletadas amostras de tumores de 80 tartarugas para análise histopatológica; todas foram positivas para fibropapilomatose. A média da prevalência nacional geral para Chelonia mydas foi de 15.41%; apenas nas áreas costeiras a doença foi verificada. Nenhuma ocorrência foi registrada nas ilhas oceânicas do Atol das Rocas e do Arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha. Os resultados das freqüências de tumores por estado foram: Bahia, 15,81% (211/1335); Ceará, 36,94% (181/490); Espírito Santo, 27,43% (469/1710); Pernambuco-Arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha, 0,00% (0/501); Rio de Janeiro, 5,96% (9/151); Rio Grande do Norte-região costeira, 31,43% (33/105); Rio Grande do Norte-Atol das Rocas, 0,00% (0/486); Sergipe, 18,46% (12/65); São Paulo, 10,73 % (371/3456). Os animais afetados variaram de juvenis com comprimento curvilíneo de carapaça (CCC) mínimo de 30,0 cm, subadultos a adultos com máximo de 112 cm. A prevalência de tumores associado a fibropapilomatose aumentou com o CCC até 80,0 cm e decresceu abruptamente. A caracterização da doença foi realizada com um grupo de 202 tartarugas verdes afetadas em uma agregação no Estado do Espírito Santo. Nesse grupo, o número de tumores variou de 1 a 179 tumores em um único animal, tendo como média 21 tumores por tartaruga afetada. 72,5 % dos tumores estavam localizados na região anterior corpórea do animal, 25,2% na região posterior e 2,3% na carapaça e plastrão. Nenhuma tartaruga apresentou tumores na cavidade oral. Para análise de escore de tumor em tartarugas afetadas com FP, o escore de tumor 1 e 2 foi predominante, com 40,61% (80 de 197) e 51,27% (101 de 197) respectivamente. Apenas 8,12% (16 de 197) das tartarugas tiveram escore de tumor 3. / Fibropapilomatosis (FP) is a disease characterized by multiple masses of cutaneous tumors varying from 0,1 to more than 30 cm in diameter. It has affected primarily green turtles (Chelonia mydas), but also other species of sea turtles around the world. The aim of this study is, through the data already systematically collected by the Brazilian Sea Turtle Protection, Research and Management Program - Projeto TAMAR - IBAMA to characterize the occurrence of this disease in marine turtles along the Brazilian coast to within time and space, from 2000 to 2005. Turtles found alive or dead were identified as for the species, measured and examined as for the presence or absence of tumors. 10.170 sea turtles were examined: 1.243 of them were Hawksbills (Eretmochelys imbricata), two of which showed tumors; five of the 250 loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) and three of 288 olive ridley\'s turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea), showed tumors; none of the 30 leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) carried tumors. Mostly of the records, (82,20%; 8.359/10170) corresponded to green turtles (Chelonia mydas), 1.288 of which had tumors. Samples of tumors were collected from 80 turtles for histopathologycal analysis; all examined samples were positive for fibropapillomatosis. The average nationwide tumor prevalence in Chelonia mydas was 15.41%; the disease was detected only in coastal areas: no occurrence was recorded for the oceanic islands of Atol das Rocas and Fernando de Noronha Archipelago. The tumor frequencies by state were: Bahia, 15,81% (211/1335); Ceará, 36,94% (181/490); Espírito Santo, 27,43% (469/1710); Pernambuco - Archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, 0,00% (0/501); Rio de Janeiro, 5,96% (9/151); Rio Grande do Norte- coastal area, 31,43% (33/105); Rio Grande do Norte - Atol das Rocas, 0,00% (0/486); Sergipe, 18,46% (12/65); São Paulo, 10,73% (371/3456). The affected animals varied from juvenile, with minimum curved carapace length (CCC) 30,0 cm to sub-adults, adults with a maximum 112 cm. The prevalence of tumours associated to fibropapillomatosis increased with CCC up to 80,0 cm and then decreased abruptly. The number of tumors in 202 affected green turtles from an aggregation in the state of Espírito Santo varied from 1 to 179 tumors in a single animal, with an average of 21 tumors per affected turtle. 72,5% of tumors were located in the anterior half of the animal\'s bodies, 25,2% in the posterior area, 2,3% on the shell and plastron. No turtle had tumors in the oral cavity. A predominance of turtles was registered with tumors score 1, 40,61% (80 of 197) and score 2, 51,27% (101/197). Only 8,12% (16/197) of the turtles that had score 3. For analysis of tumor score in affected turtles with FP, the tumors score 1 and 2 was predominant, with (40,61%; 80 of 197) and (51,27%; 101/197) respectively. Only 8,12 % (16/197) of the turtles attained tumors score 3.

Climate change is now widely regarded as the single greatest threat to coral reefs. Climate change poses a range of different threats and reef ecosystems are widely reported as being amongst the first ecosystems to be severely affected by increases in global average temperatures. Coral reef managers responding effectively to the climate change threat will require research and monitoring, communication, impact mitigation and informed planning. Aspects of this thesis cover all of those working areas.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2011. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the World Wide Web.

Orientador: Augusto Shinya Abe / Banca: Francisco Tadeu Rantin / Banca: Margarida Maria Barros / Resumo: O estudo foi realizado para se determinar os coeficientes de disponibilidade aparente (CDA) da matéria mineral (MM), cálcio (Ca) e fósforo (P) da farinha de carne e ossos (FCO), farinha de vísceras de aves (FV), farinha de peixe (FP) e fosfato bicálcico (FB) e os coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente (CDA) da matéria seca (MS), proteína bruta (PB), extrato etéreo (EE) e energia bruta (EB) da farinha de carne e ossos, farinha de vísceras de aves e farinha de peixe apresentados pela tartaruga-da-Amazônia. Foram utilizados 226 filhotes provenientes do Projeto Quelônios da Amazônia no Estado do Mato Grosso, mantidos em caixas plásticas com renovação de água e temperatura média de 29,0oC. Os CDA foram determinados pela utilização de dietas contendo 0,1% do marcador óxido de crômio III (Cr2O3). Os CDA da MM, Ca e P foram, respectivamente, de 69,32; 69,46 e 73,28% para FCO; 87,53; 92,48 e 92,19% para FV; 92,53; 95,83 e 94,93% para FP e 41,18; 81,01 e 54,46% para FB. Os CDA da MS, PB, EE e EB foram, respectivamente, de 79,10; 87,61; 93,83 e 79,61% para FCO; 92,45; 94,89; 96,55 e 92,71% para FV e 93,53; 95,13; 94,05 e 93,18% para FP. / Abstract: Apparent availability coefficient (AAC) of the ash, calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) of the meat and bone meal (MBM), poultry by-products meal (PBM), fish meal (FM) and dicalcium phosphate (DP) and apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of the dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE) and gross energy (GE) of the meat and bone meal, poultry by-products meal and fish meal were determined in the Arrau sideneck. The turtles used were 226 hatchlings from Projeto Quelônios da Amazônia, State of Mato Grosso. Experimental animals were raised in plastic containers, with continuous water flow and mean temperature kept at 29,0oC. AAC and ADC were accessed by diets labeled with 0.1% of chromium oxide III (Cr2O3). The AAC of ash, Ca and P were, respectively, 69.32, 69.46 and 73.28% for MBM, 87.53, 92.48 and 92.19% for PBM, 92.53, 95.83 and 94.93% for FM and 41.18, 81.01 and 54.46% for DP. The ADC of DM, CP, EE and GE were, respectively, 79.10, 87.61, 93.83 and 79.61% for MBM, 92.45, 94.89, 96.55 and 92.71% for PBM and 93.53, 95.13, 94.05 and 93.18% for FM. / Mestre

Fibropapilomatose (FP) é uma doença caracterizada por múltiplas massas de tumores cutâneos variando de 0,1 a mais de 30 cm em diâmetro. Afeta primariamente tartarugas-verdes (Chelonia mydas), mas também outras espécies de tartarugas marinhas ao redor do mundo. O objetivo deste estudo é, através de dados já sistematicamente coletados pelo Programa Brasileiro de Proteção, Pesquisa e manejo das Tartarugas Marinhas - Projeto TAMAR-IBAMA, caracterizar, no tempo e no espaço, a ocorrência desta doença em tartarugas marinhas na costa brasileira, entre os anos de 2000 a 2005. As tartarugas encontradas, vivas ou mortas, foram identificadas, medidas e examinadas quanto à presença ou ausência de tumores. Nesse período foram examinadas 10.170 tartarugas marinhas, sendo 1.243 tartarugas-de-pente, (Eretmochelys imbricata), das quais 2 apresentaram tumores; entre as 250 tartarugas- cabeçudas, (Caretta caretta), 5 apresentaram tumores; entre as 288 tartarugas-oliva (Lepidochelys olivacea), 3 apresentaram tumores; nenhuma das 30 tartarugas-gigantes, (Dermochelys coriacea) examinadas tinham tumores. A maior parte dos registros (82,20 %; 8.359 de 10.170) correspondeu a tartarugas-verdes (Chelonia mydas), das quais 1.288 apresentavam tumores. Foram coletadas amostras de tumores de 80 tartarugas para análise histopatológica; todas foram positivas para fibropapilomatose. A média da prevalência nacional geral para Chelonia mydas foi de 15.41%; apenas nas áreas costeiras a doença foi verificada. Nenhuma ocorrência foi registrada nas ilhas oceânicas do Atol das Rocas e do Arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha. Os resultados das freqüências de tumores por estado foram: Bahia, 15,81% (211/1335); Ceará, 36,94% (181/490); Espírito Santo, 27,43% (469/1710); Pernambuco-Arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha, 0,00% (0/501); Rio de Janeiro, 5,96% (9/151); Rio Grande do Norte-região costeira, 31,43% (33/105); Rio Grande do Norte-Atol das Rocas, 0,00% (0/486); Sergipe, 18,46% (12/65); São Paulo, 10,73 % (371/3456). Os animais afetados variaram de juvenis com comprimento curvilíneo de carapaça (CCC) mínimo de 30,0 cm, subadultos a adultos com máximo de 112 cm. A prevalência de tumores associado a fibropapilomatose aumentou com o CCC até 80,0 cm e decresceu abruptamente. A caracterização da doença foi realizada com um grupo de 202 tartarugas verdes afetadas em uma agregação no Estado do Espírito Santo. Nesse grupo, o número de tumores variou de 1 a 179 tumores em um único animal, tendo como média 21 tumores por tartaruga afetada. 72,5 % dos tumores estavam localizados na região anterior corpórea do animal, 25,2% na região posterior e 2,3% na carapaça e plastrão. Nenhuma tartaruga apresentou tumores na cavidade oral. Para análise de escore de tumor em tartarugas afetadas com FP, o escore de tumor 1 e 2 foi predominante, com 40,61% (80 de 197) e 51,27% (101 de 197) respectivamente. Apenas 8,12% (16 de 197) das tartarugas tiveram escore de tumor 3. / Fibropapilomatosis (FP) is a disease characterized by multiple masses of cutaneous tumors varying from 0,1 to more than 30 cm in diameter. It has affected primarily green turtles (Chelonia mydas), but also other species of sea turtles around the world. The aim of this study is, through the data already systematically collected by the Brazilian Sea Turtle Protection, Research and Management Program - Projeto TAMAR - IBAMA to characterize the occurrence of this disease in marine turtles along the Brazilian coast to within time and space, from 2000 to 2005. Turtles found alive or dead were identified as for the species, measured and examined as for the presence or absence of tumors. 10.170 sea turtles were examined: 1.243 of them were Hawksbills (Eretmochelys imbricata), two of which showed tumors; five of the 250 loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) and three of 288 olive ridley\'s turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea), showed tumors; none of the 30 leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) carried tumors. Mostly of the records, (82,20%; 8.359/10170) corresponded to green turtles (Chelonia mydas), 1.288 of which had tumors. Samples of tumors were collected from 80 turtles for histopathologycal analysis; all examined samples were positive for fibropapillomatosis. The average nationwide tumor prevalence in Chelonia mydas was 15.41%; the disease was detected only in coastal areas: no occurrence was recorded for the oceanic islands of Atol das Rocas and Fernando de Noronha Archipelago. The tumor frequencies by state were: Bahia, 15,81% (211/1335); Ceará, 36,94% (181/490); Espírito Santo, 27,43% (469/1710); Pernambuco - Archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, 0,00% (0/501); Rio de Janeiro, 5,96% (9/151); Rio Grande do Norte- coastal area, 31,43% (33/105); Rio Grande do Norte - Atol das Rocas, 0,00% (0/486); Sergipe, 18,46% (12/65); São Paulo, 10,73% (371/3456). The affected animals varied from juvenile, with minimum curved carapace length (CCC) 30,0 cm to sub-adults, adults with a maximum 112 cm. The prevalence of tumours associated to fibropapillomatosis increased with CCC up to 80,0 cm and then decreased abruptly. The number of tumors in 202 affected green turtles from an aggregation in the state of Espírito Santo varied from 1 to 179 tumors in a single animal, with an average of 21 tumors per affected turtle. 72,5% of tumors were located in the anterior half of the animal\'s bodies, 25,2% in the posterior area, 2,3% on the shell and plastron. No turtle had tumors in the oral cavity. A predominance of turtles was registered with tumors score 1, 40,61% (80 of 197) and score 2, 51,27% (101/197). Only 8,12% (16/197) of the turtles that had score 3. For analysis of tumor score in affected turtles with FP, the tumors score 1 and 2 was predominant, with (40,61%; 80 of 197) and (51,27%; 101/197) respectively. Only 8,12 % (16/197) of the turtles attained tumors score 3.

Le littoral guyanais accueille chaque année les pontes de tortues marines. En Guyane, les tortues doivent faire face à l’instabilité côtière liée au passage d’imposants bancs de vase le long du littoral. Dans ce contexte, les plages de ponte peuvent devenir non attractives si elles présentent une érosion trop marquée ou si elles sont envasées. L’instabilité de ce littoral peut également induire la création de nouveaux sites sableux (cheniers), sites de ponte potentiels.Ce travail de thèse s’attache à étudier la dynamique morphosédimentaire des plages sableuses servant d’habitat de ponte aux tortues et les répercussions de la migration des bancs sur ces plages. La principale zone d’étude, la plage d’Awala-Yalimapo, a été instrumentée entre 2011 et 2013, et a permis de comprendre le fonctionnement hydro-sédimentaire d’une des principales plages de ponte guyanaises à une échelle mensuelle à pluriannuelle. Parallèlement à ce travail, l’activité de ponte des tortues marines a été recensée permettant de mettre en évidence l’utilisation de certains paramètres environnementaux dans la sélection finale du site de ponte. Les principaux déterminants sont la configuration de l’avant-plage, la hauteur d’eau, les courants de marée et la dynamique morphosédimentaire de la plage d’accueil. / French Guiana coast host, each year, marines turtles nesting. In French Guiana, marine turtles managed with the extreme coastal variability due to the migration of huge mud bank. In this context, nesting beaches could be unattractive if erosion is too intense or if there are silted-up. The instability of this coast could induce the creation of new sandy coastline (cheniers) and so on potential nesting site.The aim of this PhD work was to study the morphodynamics of sandy beaches which are also nesting site for marine turtles and the consequence of mud bank migration on these beaches. In-situ measurements were carried-out on the principal study area, Awala-Yalimapo beach, and permitted to increase our knowledge on the hydro-sedimentary evolution of one of the primary nesting site from daily to multiannual time scale. In the same time, the nesting activity of marine turtles was listed to highlight the use of environmental parameters in the finale selection of the nesting site. Principal environmental clues were the beach configuration, the water level, tidal current and the morphodynamics of the nesting habitat.

<p>This study monitored daily and seasonal locations of juvenile green turtles in three coastal bays of northwest Costa Rica, determining their home ranges and assessing their habitat use. My objective was to produce insights which might help future Pacific Ocean green turtle conservation efforts.</p> <p>I tracked 14 juvenile green turtles for 51-629 days using acoustic transmitters (VECOM v16) and 12 acoustic receivers (VECOM VR2Tx and VR2W) in 5 study area habitats: sandy areas, reef patches, macroalgae, rocky reefs, and mangroves. I divided these 14 turtles into large (equal to or larger than 65 cm CCL) and small (smaller than 65 cm CCL) size classes so I could highlight any changes as they grew toward adulthood. </p> <p>Both the large and small size turtles used habitats differently during the dry and rainy seasons. During the dry season, the large juveniles had a High Detection Rate (HDR) of 40% in the macroalgae area. During the rainy season, their HDR was 33% in the reef patch area. The small juveniles had their HDR in the reef patch area during both seasons: 33% in the dry season and 43% in the rainy season. The mean home range for the 14 turtles was 1.96 km²; their core use area was 0.19 km2. I saw no connection between body size and home range. The HDR findings suggest that juvenile green turtles preferred reef patches, rocky reefs, and macroalgae habitat types. The large juveniles prefer vegetation areas more as they grew; similar to that of adult green turtles. Some turtles moved between Matapalito Bay and Santa Elena Bay and along the coast to small bays east of Matapalito Bay. Travel speed varied between 0.23 km/h and 12.90 km/h with a mean of 1.57 km/h.  </p> <p>My findings highlight certain habitat areas preferred by Pacific juvenile green turtles. This can guide conservationists in identifying and protecting similar habitats in other inshore Pacific bays in Central America. By protecting habitat areas that are important for juvenile green turtles, this can help rebuild the green turtle population in the Pacific Ocean. </p>

Coastal habitats are highly dynamic and vulnerable to landscape-level disturbances such as storms and restoration projects. Along the east coast of Florida these areas are particularly valuable as they provide significant nesting habitat for two sea turtle species, the threatened loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and the endangered green turtle (Chelonia mydas). This coast was heavily impacted by three major hurricanes in 2004 and in some areas by large restoration projects in 2005. Recent remote sensing methods allow for broad evaluation of the shoreline and thus the ability to assess sea turtle nesting habitat at a landscape scale. I collected nesting data for southern Brevard County, Florida from 1989 – 2005 and for Canaveral National Seashore, Florida from 1995 – 2005. I used LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and IfSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar) remote sensing to map sea turtle nesting habitat in both areas following the 2004 hurricanes and any subsequent restoration. Canaveral National Seashore underwent no restoration while southern Brevard County received extensive restoration. Topographic variables (e.g., total sand volume, width, and slope) derived from the remote sensing data were compared across three time periods (pre-hurricane, posthurricane, and recovery period) and I compared nesting success data from 2004 to 2005. I built regression models for 2004 and 2005 to determine which topographic features influenced loggerhead and green turtle nesting the most. Green turtle nesting success declined from 2004 to 2005 only in highly restored areas while loggerhead nesting sucess declined throughout. Hurricanes caused a reduction in most of the topographic variables and restoration predominantly impacted aspects of the beach profile (e.g. slope and width). Loggerheads responded to profile characteristics (e.g. upper and lower iii beach slopes) though green turtles showed no consistent response to topography. The results indicate that both loggerheads and green turtles are sensitive to beach restoration, although loggerhead nesting is more influenced by beach morphology and green turtle nesting may be influenced more by other dune features such as vegetation cover.