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The role of air and waterborne odors in orientation and food detection in three species of marine turtles

The cues used by marine turtles to locate foraging areas in the open ocean are largely
unknown though some species (especially the green turtle [Chelonia mydas], the
loggerhead [Caretta caretta], and the leatherback [Dermochelys coriacea]) somehow
locate areas of high productivity. Loggerheads can detect airborne odors, but a capacity
to orient has not yet been investigated. In this comparative study, tethered loggerheads
and leatherbacks were exposed to dimethyl sulfide (DMS) or food odors in a laminar
flow of air. Turtles did not orient into the air current. Free-swimming loggerheads and
green turtles were also exposed to air- or waterborne food (squid) odor plus a neutral
visual stimulus. Both species showed increases in swimming activity and biting behavior
to both stimuli. These results suggest that airborne odors are likely not used to locate
distant areas, but that they are used in localized food searching efforts. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:fau.edu/oai:fau.digital.flvc.org:fau_30785
ContributorsKedzuf, Stephanie C. (author), Salmon, Michael (Thesis advisor), Florida Atlantic University (Degree grantor), Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
PublisherFlorida Atlantic University
Source SetsFlorida Atlantic University
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeElectronic Thesis or Dissertation, Text
Format47 p., application/pdf
RightsCopyright © is held by the author, with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder., http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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