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Abstract--We developed an alternative capture-and-release method for sharks using a simple poker-and-hook tool for divers to quickly capture nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum) entering the intake canal of a nuclear power [...]

In response to a call from the US National Research Council for research programs to combine their data to improve sea turtle population assessments, we analyzed somatic growth data for Northwest Atlantic (NWA) loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) from 10 research programs. We assessed growth dynamics over wide ranges of geography (9-33°N latitude), time (1978-2012), and body size (35.4-103.3 cm carapace length). Generalized additive models revealed significant spatial and temporal variation in growth rates and a significant decline in growth rates with increasing body size. Growth was more rapid in waters south of the USA (, Introduction A long-term regional approach is essential to understand the somatic growth dynamics of the Northwest Atlantic (NWA) loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) stock that nests along the southeast coast [...]

Abstract-Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) are migratory, long-lived, and slow maturing. They are difficult to study because they are seen rarely and their habitats range over vast stretches of the [...]

The article focuses on tracking the nesting migration of the critically endangered Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii), highlighting its predominant nesting areas along the western Gulf of Mexico coast and the identification of key foraging areas.

Ozobranchus margoi and Ozobranchus branchiatus are the only two species of marine turtle leeches ( Ozobranchus spp.) known to inhabit the Atlantic coast of the United States and the Gulf of Mexico. In early reports of fibropapillomatosis (FP) in green turtles ( Chelonia mydas), O. branchiatus was implicated as a vector in the transmission of Fibropapilloma-associated turtle herpesvirus (FPTHV). It is imperative that the leech species be identified to elucidate the role Ozobranchus spp. may play in disease transmission. In this study, Ozobranchus branchiatus has been identified for the first time on a loggerhead ( Caretta caretta) turtle, and the molecular data for this species is now available for the first time in GenBank. Both species of leeches were also found infecting a single C. mydas. Using morphological taxonomy combined with distance- and character-based genetic sequence analyses, this study has established a DNA barcode for both species of Ozobranchus spp. leech and has shown it can be applied successfully to the identification of leeches at earlier stages of development when morphological taxonomy cannot be employed. The results suggest a different haplotype may exist for O. branchiatus leeches found on C. caretta versus C. mydas. Leech cocoon residue collected from a C. mydas was identified using the new method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article talks about Florida Department of Natural Resources's (FDNR, now Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) headstart program for Florida green turtles including collecting turtles from southeast coast of Florida and incubated in Styrofoam® coolers, and some of the total collected turtles reaching reproductive maturity.

Objective-To determine reference intervals for concentrations of plasma total protein (TP) and electrophoretogram fractions (ELFs) for healthy, wild loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) and green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and to assess relationships betweenTP and ELF concentrations and health status, body size, body mass, and water temperature. Design-Evaluation study. Animals-437 healthy and 35 ill Atlantic loggerhead sea turtles and 152 healthy and 3 ill Atlantic green turtles. Procedures-Free-ranging turtles were captured from a nuclear power plant intake canal in southern Florida. Plasma samples were obtained from all turtles. Plasma IF and ELF concentrations were measured, and reference intervals were calculated. Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to compare TP and ELF values between healthy and ill loggerhead sea turtles. Spearman rank correlations were evaluated between concentrations of TP and ELFs and carapace length, body mass, and water temperature. Results-Reference intervals for TP concentrations were 2.2 to 5.2 gdL and 2.0 to 5.4 g/dL for loggerhead sea turtles and green turtles, respectively. Except for γ-globulin, concentrations of ELFs were significantly higher in healthy than in ill loggerhead sea turtles. There was a positive correlation between TP, α-globulin, β-globulin, and γ-globulin concentrations and water temperature in loggerhead sea turtles and between only IF and a-globulin concentrations and water temperature in green turtles. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Reference intervals for concentrations of IF and ELFs for healthy, free-ranging loggerhead sea turtles and green turtles can be used in combination with other diagnostic tools to assess health status of sea turtles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]