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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
Influence of ocean currents on long-distance movement of leatherback sea turtles in the Southwest Indian Ocean
Marine Ecology Progress Series, Volume 353, Year 2008
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Description
Leatherback turtles Dermochelys coriacea spend most of their life in oceanic environments, whose physical and biological characteristics are primarily forged by sea current circulation. Water mass movements can mechanically act on swimming turtles, thus determining their routes, and can differentially distribute their planktonic prey. By integrating satellite tracking data with contemporaneous remote-sensing information, we analysed the post-nesting journeys of 9 leatherbacks with respect to oceanographic surface conditions. Tracked turtles showed large variations in migration routes and in final destinations, apparently without heading for specific foraging areas. Their complex tracks spread over wide regions around South Africa. Leatherbacks were greatly influenced by the currents encountered during their movements, with their trajectories displaying curves or revolutions in the presence of (and in accordance with) rotating water masses. An impressive similarity was observed between large parts of the turtle routes and those of surface drifters tracked in the same regions. Finally, leatherbacks remained associated for long periods with specific oceanographic features, which most probably offered them profitable foraging opportunities. These results agree with previous findings in showing a strong influence of oceanic currents and mesoscale features on the movements of South African leatherbacks, and additionally identify the role of current-related features in causing the observed route variability and in determining high-quality foraging hotspots for leatherbacks moving in the ocean. © Inter-Research 2008.
Authors & Co-Authors
Lambardi, Paolo
Italy, Pisa
Università Di Pisa
Lutjeharms, Johann R.E.
South Africa, Cape Town
University of Cape Town
Mencacci, R.
Italy, Pisa
Università Di Pisa
Hays, Graeme Clive
United Kingdom, Swansea
Swansea University
Luschi, P.
Italy, Pisa
Università Di Pisa
Statistics
Citations: 82
Authors: 5
Affiliations: 3
Identifiers
Doi:
10.3354/meps07118
Research Areas
Environmental
Study Locations
South Africa