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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
environmental science
Unravelling migratory connectivity in marine turtles using multiple methods
Journal of Applied Ecology, Volume 47, No. 4, Year 2010
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Description
Comprehensive knowledge of the fundamental spatial ecology of marine species is critical to allow the identification of key habitats and the likely sources of anthropogenic threats, thus informing effective conservation strategies. Research on migratory marine vertebrates has lagged behind many similar terrestrial animal groups, but studies using electronic tagging systems and molecular techniques offer great insights. Marine turtles have complex life history patterns, spanning wide spatio-temporal scales. As a result of this multidimensional complexity, and despite extensive effort, there are no populations for which a truly holistic understanding of the spatial aspects of the life history has been attained. There is a particular lack of information regarding the distribution and habitats utilized during the first few years of life. We used satellite tracking technology to track individual turtles following nesting at the green turtle Chelonia mydas nesting colony at Poilão Island, Guinea Bissau; the largest breeding aggregation in the eastern Atlantic. We further contextualize these data with pan-Atlantic molecular data and oceanographic current modelling to gain insights into likely dispersal patterns of hatchlings and small pelagic juveniles. All adult turtles remained in the waters of West Africa, with strong connectivity demonstrated with Banc D'Arguin, Mauritania. Despite shortcomings in current molecular markers, we demonstrate evidence for profound sub-structuring of marine turtle stocks across the Atlantic; with a high likelihood based on oceanographic modelling that most turtles from Guinea-Bissau are found in the eastern Atlantic. Synthesis and applications. There is an increased need for a better understanding of spatial distribution of marine vertebrates demonstrating life histories with spatio-temporal complexity. We propose the synergistic use of the technologies and modelling used here as a working framework for the future rapid elucidation of the range and likely key habitats used by the different life stages from such species. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 British Ecological Society.
Authors & Co-Authors
Godley, Brendan J.
United Kingdom, Exeter
University of Exeter
Barbosa, Castro
Guinea-bissau
Instituto da Biodiversidade e Das Áreas Protegidas
Bruford, Michael W.
United Kingdom, Cardiff
College of Biomedical and Life Sciences
Broderick, Annette Cameron
United Kingdom, Exeter
University of Exeter
Catry, Paulo
Portugal, Lisbon
Ispa - Instituto Universitário
Coyne, Michael S.
United Kingdom, Exeter
University of Exeter
United States, Durham
Seaturtle.org
Formia, Angela
United Kingdom, Cardiff
College of Biomedical and Life Sciences
Italy, Florence
Università Degli Studi Di Firenze
Hays, Graeme Clive
United Kingdom, Swansea
Swansea University
Witt, Matthew John
United Kingdom, Exeter
University of Exeter
Statistics
Citations: 110
Authors: 9
Affiliations: 7
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1111/j.1365-2664.2010.01817.x
ISSN:
00218901
e-ISSN:
13652664
Study Locations
Multi-countries
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Mauritania