Polymodal foraging in adult female loggerheads (Caretta caretta) |
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Authors: | Kimberly J Reich Karen A Bjorndal Michael G Frick Blair E Witherington Chris Johnson Alan B Bolten |
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Institution: | (1) Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research and Department of Zoology, University of Florida, Box 118525, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA;(2) Caretta Research Project, Box 9841, Savannah, GA 31412, USA;(3) Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 9700 South A1A, Melbourne Beach, FL 32951, USA;(4) Loggerhead Marinelife Center, 14200 US Hwy 1, Juno Beach, Fl 33408, USA |
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Abstract: | To determine whether loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) nesting in southeastern USA exhibit polymorphic foraging strategies, we evaluated skin samples for stable isotopes of carbon
(δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) from 310 loggerheads from four locations on the east coast of Florida and epibionts from 48 loggerheads. We found a dichotomy
between a depleted δ13C cluster and an enriched δ13C cluster. Epibionts from oceanic/pelagic or neritic/benthic habitats were largely consistent with this dichotomy. The bimodal
distribution of δ13C could reflect a bimodal foraging strategy or—because of the potential for confounding among four gradients of δ13C in marine environments—a polymodal foraging strategy. We integrate our results with results from other stable isotope studies,
satellite telemetry, and flipper tags to evaluate potential foraging strategies. Understanding foraging strategies is essential
for development of management plans for this endangered species that has suffered a 43% population decline over the last decade. |
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