Home Range and Habitat Use of Juvenile Green Turtles in a Shallow Tidal Environment

• Main Author: Gary, Meagan
• Language: EN
• Published: Florida Atlantic University 2017
• Subjects: Biology|Ecology
• Online Access: http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10610505

<p> The home range can be further understood by examining: (1) environmental factors that are responsible for its selection, and (2) habitat use. Green turtle (<i>Chelonia mydas</i>) home ranges are characterized by their food abundance, distribution, and quality. The shallow water habitats of The Bahamas are important foraging sites for juvenile green turtle. The goal of this study was to determine how turtles use their home range at a tidal foraging site. I tracked turtle home range using acoustic telemetry. I conducted esophageal lavage on tracked turtles and mapped the vegetation coverage. Turtle home ranges were small, and often overlapping areas (mean &plusmn; SD= 0.64 &plusmn; 0.24 km²). Turtles consumed primarily seagrass (<i>Thalassia testudinum</i>), which was concentrated inside the tidal creek. This study documented the smallest recorded home ranges of juvenile green turtles and examines the combination of the effects of tide, temperature, and vegetation on green turtle home range.</p>