Species’ foraging choices influences their somatic growth rates, age at maturity, and time spent in vulnerable early life stages. Thus, differences in population demographics are often attributed to variability either in diet type, quality or quantity ingested. Knowledge of species diet selection, though currently limited, particularly in marine environments, can enhance our understanding of the roles of species in marine ecosystem and, at a finer scale, elucidate how nutrition and diet influences their growth and productivity. Marine green turtles (Chelonia mydas) are considered to be herbivores, predominantly consuming seagrass and algae. However, recent studies have suggested that they may exhibit omnivory in certain forage areas. Using juvenile green turtles as a case study, I coupled stable isotope analysis with a diet preference index to provide insights into the selection and plasticity of their diet. The study was conducted within two sites (Bonefish Hole and South Bimini) in Bimini, Bahamas in 2016. Habitat surveys were conducted to gather habitat data and determine resource availability. A dichotomy in diet was found between the sites: at Bonefish Hole, turtles exhibited a more generalist omnivorous diet, selecting for sessile filters feeders and green algae, whereas turtles in South Bimini had a more specialist herbivorous diet, primarily consuming seagrasses and selecting for red algae, when available. The foraging dichotomy found in this study by green turtles expands our understanding of the spatial differences in their biology in the Bahamas and provides novel information for turtle foraging in Bimini. Knowledge about differences in intra-specific diet, with a focus on diet selection and potential drivers, can elucidate the factors that influence critical life history traits and ultimately inform species management. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Spring Semester 2018. / April 13, 2018. / Bayesian ellipses, carbon, habitat use, MixSIAR, nitrogen, Trophic ecology / Includes bibliographical references. / Mariana MPB Fuentes, Professor Directing Thesis; Jeff Chanton, Committee Member; Rob Spencer, Committee Member; Jeffrey A. Seminoff, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_653426 |
| Contributors | Gillis, Anthony John (author), Fuentes, Mariana (professor directing thesis), Chanton, Jeffrey P. (committee member), Spencer, Robert G. M. (committee member), Seminoff, Jeffrey A. (committee member), Florida State University (degree granting institution), College of Arts and Sciences (degree granting college), Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science (degree granting departmentdgg) |
| Publisher | Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text, master thesis |
| Format | 1 online resource (41 pages), computer, application/pdf |
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