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This article provides valuable information on the keeping, breeding, and rearing of North American Wood Turtles. It describes their appearance, habitat, feeding habits, and mating system. The author shares personal experiences in caring for these turtles, including information on their husbandry and feeding. The article also includes data on the size and weight of Wood Turtles in various settings, which can be useful for researchers studying their biology and conservation. [Extracted from the article]

Sea turtles spend the majority of their lives at foraging grounds. These areas are important for population persistence but generally occur in coastal habitats, which are under increasing human pressure. Identifying key foraging areas is therefore an important step to understanding critical sea turtle habitats, and therefore their threats. Isotope ratios (δ15N, δ13C) from skin tissues of 90 green turtles (Chelonia mydas) nesting at the regionally important rookery of Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles, were analyzed with samples collected during two periods: 51 samples from March to September 2021, and 39 samples from January to April 2022. These analyses were complemented by nine satellite tracks to identify key foraging areas. Hierarchical clustering and discriminant function analysis identified two main foraging areas: the East African coast (Tanzania and Somalia) and northern Madagascar. Isotopic values indicated that the majority of green turtles nesting at Aldabra forage at one of these two areas, with slightly more green turtles visiting the East African coast. Geographical isotopic patterns were not found latitudinally, suggesting a potential limit to this approach for coastal areas in the Western Indian Ocean. However, we found longitudinal variation of δ13C and δ15N that few studies have reported. This is the first study in this region to combine satellite telemetry and stable isotope analysis to assign likely foraging areas of green turtles and advances understanding of the complex migration patterns and foraging ecology of this species. We demonstrate the potential and the limitations of stable isotope analysis for identifying/characterizing green turtle foraging areas in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea turtles are a taxon of conservation concern and are highly migratory, exposing them to a variety of threats (e.g., fisheries bycatch, direct harvest) across their lifetime. Understanding the abundance of nesting females, hatchling production, and migratory movements - three of the most basic biological data needs for this species group - is imperative for population assessment. This study summarizes novel data most relevant to population assessments of the endangered central south Pacific (CSP) green turtle (Chelonia mydas) population, determined from annual rapid assessment surveys (mean survey duration=7.6 days year-1, n=61 survey days over 8 nesting seasons) and satellite telemetry at Rose Atoll, American Samoa, from 2012 to 2019. A minimum of 138 unique females nested in the Rose Atoll NationalWildlife Refuge (RANWR) over the study period with 218 total females observed. Satellite tracks of post-nesting females suggest Fiji (n=33/48, 70.2%) is the primary foraging ground for turtles nesting at RANWR, though other areas throughout the south Pacific Ocean are also important. Limited data suggest hatchling production was high (average hatching success=92.3%) and nest temperature data collected from 2017-2019 suggest primary sex ratios were likely balanced during this time. These are positive signs for the resilience of this nesting population, but climate change poses threats to RANWR and other lowlying tropical islands throughout the central south Pacific, as nesting areas are potentially exposed to beach erosion, tidal inundations, and increasing temperatures leading to sex bias and embryonic death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incidental capture of non-target species poses a pervasive threat to many marine species, with sometimes devastating consequences for both fisheries and conservation efforts. Because of the well-known importance of vocalizations in cetaceans, acoustic deterrents have been extensively used for these species. In contrast, acoustic communication for sea turtles has been considered negligible, and this question has been largely unexplored. Addressing this challenge therefore requires a comprehensive understanding of sea turtles' responses to sensory signals. In this study, we scrutinized the avenue of auditory cues, specifically the natural sounds produced by green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in Martinique, as a potential tool to reduce bycatch. We recorded 10 sounds produced by green turtles and identified those that appear to correspond to alerts, flight or social contact between individuals. Subsequently, these turtle sounds—as well synthetic and natural (earthquake) sounds—were presented to turtles in known foraging areas to assess the behavioral response of green turtles to these sounds. Our data highlighted that the playback of sounds produced by sea turtles was associated with alert or increased the vigilance of individuals. This therefore suggests novel opportunities for using sea turtle sounds to deter them from fishing gear or other potentially harmful areas, and highlights the potential of our research to improve sea turtles populations' conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article titled "Correction to 'Life history mediates the trade-offs among different components of demographic resilience'" discusses a correction made to the calculation of resistance in the methods section of the original manuscript. The correction alters the interpretation of some of the results. The authors also provide updated figures and supplementary analyses that show the correlations between different components of demographic resilience in animals and plants. The corrected calculations do not significantly change the overall patterns and associations observed in the original manuscript. [Extracted from the article]

As part of a sea turtle health monitoring program on the central east coast of Queensland, Australia, stranded and sick green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) were subjected to necropsy and histopathology. A subset of these turtles had myocarditis of varying severity, which could not be attributed to parasitism by spirorchid flukes or bacterial infections. We, therefore, undertook an investigation to determine whether virus infections might be part of the pathogenesis. Deep sequencing revealed abundant DNA virus contigs in the heart tissue, of which CRESS and circoviruses appeared to be the most consistently present. Further analysis revealed the homology of some of the circoviruses to the beak and feather disease virus. While a causative link to myocarditis could not be established, the presence of these viruses may play a contributing role by affecting the immune system and overall health of animals exposed to pollutants, higher water temperatures, and decreasing nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pharmacokinetics of florfenicol (FFC) in green sea and hawksbill sea turtles were evaluated following intramuscular (i.m.) administration at two different dosages of 20 or 30 mg/kg body weight (b.w.). This study (longitudinal design) used 5 green sea and 5 hawksbill sea turtles for the two dosages. Blood samples were collected at assigned times up to 168 h. FFC plasma samples were analyzed using validated high‐performance liquid chromatography equipped with diode array detection. The pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using a non‐compartment approach. The FFC plasma concentrations increased with the dosage. The elimination half‐life was similar between the treatment groups (range 19–25 h), as well as the plasma protein binding (range 18.59%–20.65%). According to the surrogate PK/PD parameter (T > MIC, 2 μg/mL), the 20 and 30 mg/kg dosing rates should be effective doses for susceptible bacterial infections in green sea and hawksbill sea turtles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding spatial heterogeneity in reproductive success among at-risk populations facing localised threats is key for conservation. Sea turtle populations often concentrate at one nesting site, diverting conservation efforts from adjacent smaller rookeries. Poilão Island, Bijagós Archipelago, Guinea-Bissau, is a notable rookery for green turtles Chelonia mydas within the João Vieira-Poilão Marine National Park, surrounded by three islands (Cavalos, Meio and João Vieira), with lower nesting activity. Poilão's nesting suitability may decrease due to turtle population growth and sea level rise, exacerbating already high nest density. As the potential usage of secondary sites may arise, we assessed green turtle clutch survival and related threats in Poilão and its neighbouring islands. High nest density on Poilão leads to high clutch destruction by later turtles, resulting in surplus eggs on the beach surface and consequently low clutch predation (4.0%, n = 69, 2000). Here, the overall mean hatching success estimated was 67.9 ± 36.7% (n = 631, 2015–2022), contrasting with a significantly lower value on Meio in 2019 (11.9 ± 23.6%, n = 21), where clutch predation was high (83.7%, n = 98). Moderate to high clutch predation was also observed on Cavalos (36.0%, n = 64) and João Vieira (76.0%, n = 175). Cavalos and Meio likely face higher clutch flooding compared to Poilão. These findings, alongside observations of turtle exchanges between islands, may suggest a source-sink dynamic, where low reproductive output sink habitats (neighbouring islands) are utilized by migrants from Poilão (source), which currently offers the best conditions for clutch survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foraging animals move through the environment to satisfy their requirements for food, rest, reproduction and risk-avoidance. Understanding how animals respond to changing environmental conditions can help to characterise favourable habitat and determine whether they might be motivated to depart when those habitats become unsuitable. Foraging green turtles are typically residents that scarcely move in response to environmental changes or disturbances. Some individuals though, exhibit high mobility at fine scales. We developed an analysis of Fastloc GPS tracks of 61 green turtles using cox regression models and generalised linear mixed models to investigate the influence of a suite of environmental characteristics on the length of residence time and probability of turtles transitioning between two behavioural modes, "stay" or "go". Decisions to move ("go") were influenced by short-term changes in the local environmental conditions. Individuals were more likely to "stay" when temperature increased during their stay and were more likely to "go" when turbidity decreased, and they entered deeper habitats. This result implies that foraging and resting ("staying") primarily occurs in benthic, shallow, warm habitats, while transit ("going") is facilitated in deeper, clear water. We also determined that individuals within the green turtle foraging aggregation respond differently to environmental cues to move and hypothesise that a diversity of strategies within a foraging aggregation could confer its resilience to disturbance events. Our study provides new evidence of the factors influencing movements in green turtles and can aid in predicting how they may respond to future changes and enhance risk mitigation efforts through dynamic and adaptive planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Successful embryonic development depends on the interaction between genetic factors and environmental variables. Congenital malformations in sea turtles can result from extreme conditions during the incubation period, reducing hatching success and potentially impeding population recovery. We aimed to characterize the congenital malformations found in green turtle nests, determine their prevalence and severity, and understand their drivers during the 2022 nesting season on Samandağ beach on northern Mediterranean nesting beaches. A total of 2986 examples of congenital malformations were observed in 362 out of 907 green turtle nests. The prevalence of congenital malformations per nest was 39%, and the severity (the number of malformed individuals per nest) was 3.8%. Nests with congenital malformations exhibited a lower mean distance from the sea, a shorter incubation duration (a proxy for incubation temperature), lower hatching success, a larger clutch size, and higher mortality at late embryonic and hatchling stages than nests without congenital malformations. There was no significant difference in total mortality between these two nest types. A total of 52 different congenital malformations were recorded, 2 of which were observed for the first time in sea turtles and 28 for the first time in green turtles. The results suggest that congenital malformations may be related to nest temperature and clutch size, while overall mortality may be independent of malformations. Pigmentation disorders and craniofacial malformations typically coexist in cases of multiple malformations. Long‐term monitoring of congenital malformations is crucial, as it can provide clues about the health status of the nesting beach and nesting colony. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animals can synchronize their reproductive behavior patterns with biological rhythms and environmental conditions. Understanding these patterns is particularly critical for conserving endangered species like sea turtles. This study analyzed the relationship between the nesting behavior of the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and lunar luminosity, lunar phases, and sea surface temperature (SST) in the Atol das Rocas Biological Reserve, Brazil. Field data were obtained through nightly monitoring during the breeding seasons from 2018 to 2020. Although lunar luminosity and lunar phases did not exhibit a statistically significant effect, the highest number of nesting occurrences was observed during the full moon and new moon, which may be related to the spring tide. The SST was the only variable showing a statistically significant relationship with complete oviposition, incomplete oviposition, and false crawl occurrences, indicating the preference of turtles to come ashore at higher temperatures (around 29.5 °C). Furthermore, while lunar luminosity and lunar phases may have some influence on the nesting pattern of the green turtle, they do not limit it, as turtles come ashore under different observed environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract It has been widely demonstrated that air and sand temperatures influence the anatomy of sea turtle hatchlings. We examined the impact of precipitation during the nesting season on the hatchling body size of loggerhead and green turtles from 37 beaches worldwide. Longitudinal data collected between 2012 and 2018 from Florida (US) and from a sample on Bõa Vista Island (Cabo Verde) carried out in 2019 showed that loggerhead body size at hatching was negatively correlated with precipitation, while precipitation was not correlated with hatchling body size in green turtles. A meta-analysis revealed that precipitation is positively correlated with hatchling mass in loggerhead turtles, while it is positively correlated with straight carapace length and width in green turtle hatchlings. The strongest influence of precipitation was found in the middle of the incubation period of loggerhead turtles in Cabo Verde, and we posit that this is due to an increase in the uptake of water for embryonic growth. These findings highlight the great importance of understanding the correlated effects of regional environmental variables, such as precipitation, on the development of sea turtle hatchlings and will have an impact on the evaluation of ongoing conservation and climate change discussions.

For the Western Indian Ocean region, there is a significant knowledge gap regarding marine turtle nesting on the continental coast of East Africa. Here we present results from a long-term (2000–2020) community-based monitoring programme in and around Watamu Marine National Park, Kenya, covering 30 km of coastline (c. 6% of the national total). Conservation actions effectively protected nesting turtles and resulted in a near-total cessation of illegal egg harvesting in Watamu Marine National Park. Collected data indicate this is an important marine turtle nesting index site in Kenya and the wider region. Green turtle Chelonia mydas nests were most common (95%), followed by olive ridley turtles Lepidochelys olivacea (4%), with occasional nests of hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata and leatherback turtles Dermochelys coriacea. Clutches per season increased significantly over the 20-year monitoring period for green turtles (50%) and showed a positive trend for olive ridley turtles. Watamu remains an area at risk from human pressures such as coastal development. Clutch distribution along the Watamu Marine National Park beach has shifted over time, probably because of coastal development and disturbance. Illegal take of adults and eggs continues in areas north and south of the Watamu Marine National Park, possibly slowing rates of recovery. Clutches deemed at risk were moved to a safe location within the National Park, and hatching success was high. Continued conservation efforts, including wider engagement with stakeholders to reduce human pressures, are needed to ensure the perpetuation of this nesting site.

This paper presents the observations of predation by the grouper Epinephelus quoyanus on sea turtle hatchlings in Chagar Hutang bay, Redang Island, Malaysia. Two of the eight collected specimens had hatchlings in their guts, whereas the remaining specimens had empty stomachs. This field report provides an in‐depth understanding of the E. quoyanus diet and new insights into its feeding behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic pressures threaten biodiversity, necessitating conservation actions founded on robust ecological models. However, prevailing models inadequately capture the spatiotemporal variation in environmental pressures faced by species with high mobility or complex life histories, as data are often aggregated across species' life histories or spatial distributions. We highlight the limitations of static models for dynamic species and incorporate life history variation and spatial distributions for species and stressors into a trait-based vulnerability and impact model. We use green sea turtles in the Greater Caribbean Region to demonstrate how vulnerability and anthropogenic impact for a dynamic species change across four life stages. By incorporating life stages into a trait-based vulnerability model, we observed life stage-specific vulnerabilities that were otherwise unnoticed when using an aggregated trait value set. Early life stages were more vulnerable to some stressors, such as inorganic pollution or marine heat waves, and less vulnerable to others, such as bycatch. Incorporating spatial distributions of stressors and life stages revealed impacts differ for each life stage across spatial areas, emphasizing the importance of stage-specific conservation measures. Our approach showcases the importance of incorporating dynamic processes into ecological models and will enable better and more targeted conservation actions for species with complex life histories and high mobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gut microbes are pivotal reference indicators for assessing the health status of animals. Before introducing artificially bred species into the wild, examining their gut microbe composition is crucial to help mitigate potential threats posed to wild populations. However, gut microbiological trait similarities between wild and artificially bred green turtles remain unexplored. Therefore, this study compared the gut microbiological characteristics of wild and artificially bred green turtles (Chelonia mydas) through high-throughput Illumina sequencing technology. The a-diversity of intestinal bacteria in wild green turtles, as determined by Shannon and Chao indices, significantly surpasses that of artificial breeding green turtles (p < 0.01). However, no significant differences were detected in the fungal a-diversity between wild and artificially bred green turtles. Meanwhile, the ß-diversity analysis revealed significant differences between wild and artificially bred green turtles in bacterial and fungal compositions. The community of gut bacteria in artificially bred green turtles had a significantly higher abundance of Fusobacteriota including those belonging to the Paracoccus, Cetobacterium, and Fusobacterium genera than that of the wild green turtle. In contrast, the abundance of bacteria belonging to the phylum Actinobacteriota and genus Nautella significantly decreased. Regarding the fungal community, artificially bred green turtles had a significantly higher abundance of Fusarium, Sterigmatomyces, and Acremonium and a lower abundance of Candida and Rhodotorula than the wild green turtle. The PICRUSt2 analyses demonstrated significant differences in the functions of the gut bacterial flora between groups, particularly in carbohydrate and energy metabolism. Fungal functional guild analysis further revealed that the functions of the intestinal fungal flora of wild and artificially bred green turtles differed significantly in terms of animal pathogens-endophytes-lichen parasites-plant pathogens-soil saprotrophswood saprotrophs. BugBase analysis revealed significant potential pathogenicity and stress tolerance variations between wild and artificially bred green turtles. Collectively, this study elucidates the distinctive characteristics of gut microbiota in wild and artificially bred green turtles while evaluating their health status. These findings offer valuable scientific insights for releasing artificially bred green turtles and other artificially bred wildlife into natural habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a sea turtle conservation area, Alas Purwo National Park (APNP) shows different patterns in the four species of turtles that have nesting records, such as an increase in Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), stability in Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas), and a decline in Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). During the survey, which lasted from January to July 2023, we discovered that each type of sea turtle preferred nesting sites at specific hypothetical stations, except for the L. olivacea, which nested at all hypothetical stations along Pancur-Cungur Coast. We also discovered that it is highly encouraged to continue relocations that have already been carried out, given the variety of predators encountered during the survey period. This discovery supports the need for in situ conservation at preferred sites for sea turtle species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial light associated with coastal development is becoming a major threat to coastal biodiversity. Sea turtles are coastal breeders, and it is well-known that hatchlings tend to move toward lighter objects on the beach, which prevents them from reaching the sea. It is, therefore, essential to identify the impact of artificial light at night (ALAN) on the nesting beaches. Here, we investigated ALAN levels using imagery from satellites at important green turtle (Chelonia mydas) nesting beaches in the Mediterranean. Mean August radiance levels at nesting beaches ranged from 0.00473 nW/cm²sr (Northern Cyprus-South Karpaz Beach) to 14.44 nW/cm²sr (Türkiye-Davultepe Beach). Of the thirteen nesting beaches examined, five were below the threshold value of high ALAN effect (>2 nW/cm²sr). A statistically significant increasing trend in mean radiance levels over the years was detected in Kazanlı (r = 0.88, p < 0.01), Samandağ (r = 0.91, p < 0.01), Alata (r = 0.89, p < 0.01), and Davultepe (r = 0.88, p < 0.01). Based on scenarios from previously published scientific results, the present work reveals the negative impact of ALAN, which degrades habitat quality on the core nesting beaches of green turtles in the Mediterranean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Batanes archipelago -- a province designated by the Philippine government as a protected area -- possesses abundant marine resources and diverse ecosystems that serve as optimal habitats for marine turtles to forage, reproduce, and nest. Ivatans, the native inhabitants of Batanes who are also indigenous peoples, possess knowledge of the existence of marine turtles in their coastal waters; however, published reports are still unavailable. This study provides significant data on species identification, observations, and the distribution of nesting areas across the province. This study presents novel findings, revealing that green sea turtles Chelonia mydas and hawksbill turtle Eretmochelys imbricata thrive in the coastal waters of Batanes. A household survey using a semi-structured questionnaire (n = 90), 48 key informant interviews, and site monitoring were utilized as data collection methods and examined using descriptive data analysis. We randomly selected respondents from the household surveys from each municipality and pre-identified key informants based on their roles in each municipality (e.g. government officials, fisherfolk leaders). Likewise, 45% of the respondents claimed that they usually encounter marine turtles a few times a week, specifically during their fishing operations. The mapped nesting sites showed a wide range across the province; three were already established by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office. The data gathered, and findings of this study serve as a basis for local resource managers -- particularly in implementing initiatives for sustainable management, conservation, and protection of marine turtle biodiversity in Batanes. Before developing conservation and management strategies, involving the community in decision-making is crucial to address potential concerns -- significantly when a specific ethnic group such as the Ivatans on Batanes Island -- is affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study provides, for the first time, reference intervals of sex steroids and thyroxine concentrations from free-living green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) inhabiting the coast of Quintana Roo, Mexico, determined in serum samples (n = 150) collected during 2013–2019 and characterized by endogenous (sex, size, and reproductive stages) and exogenous (foraging site) factors. A new demographic classification is proposed based on sea turtle size and habit preferences. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to quantify serum estradiol, testosterone, and free thyroxine concentrations of green sea turtles captured in 7 foraging localities along the coast. The mean curved carapace length (CCL) of individuals (n = 150) was 66.60 ± 21.26 cm (range: 26.2–116.4 cm); immature turtles of undetermined sex were the most frequent age class (79.3%). The mean steroid values were 0.33 ± 0.416 ng ml–1 (0.001–2.85 ng ml–1) for estradiol, 1.41 ± 1.83 ng ml–1 (0.015–9.21 ng ml–1) for testosterone, and 2.62 ± 1.89 µg 100 ml–1 (0.001–9.22 µg 100 ml–1) for thyroxine. The sex ratio estimated for adults (n = 31) was 1:3 (M:F) in deep near-shore habitats in the northern region. A bimodal distribution in the frequency of sea turtles grouped by size classes (CCL) was found, based on which a new theoretical size class classification is proposed for the Mexican Caribbean population. The 2 size classes were resident green turtles (26.2–80 cm CCL) and transient individuals (66.5–116.4 cm CCL), which also differed significantly in testosterone concentration, residents 1.6 ± 1.9 ng/ml (0.01–9.2 ng/ml) and transients 1.0 ± 1.3 ng/ml (0.08–5.1 ng/ml) (Mann-Whitney U-test = 1970, p = 0.04). Resident green turtles found along the central region of the Quintana Roo coast presented higher concentrations of testosterone than transients from the northern region (Kruskal–Wallis H-test = 6.8, p = 0.03). With the exception of testosterone, differences in steroid hormone levels between life-history stages, reproductive state, or sex were not found. Sex steroid concentrations did not differ significantly from reports worldwide, and thyroxine levels suggest an optimal nutritional condition of the individuals. Data presented in this work could be used as the basis for future health monitoring programs and demographic studies required to conserve this sea turtle stock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preliminary bycatch reports from Kep and Kampot, Cambodia, confirm the presence of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and highlight bycatch as a result of illegal, unregulated, and unreported bottom trawling as the most pertinent, perennial threat. Recommendations for conservation action emphasize the importance of a community-based approach, engagement, and education alongside continued extensive research, improved enforcement of current fisheries legislation, potential modification of fishing gear, and the development of Cambodian-led conservation initiatives to promote authentic environmental custodianship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic debris is a global threat that impacts threatened species through various lethal and sub‐lethal consequences, as well as overall ecosystem health. This study used a database of over 24,000 beach surveys of marine debris collated by the Australian Marine Debris Initiative from 2012 to 2021, with two key objectives: (1) identify variables that most influence the occurrence of debris hotspots on a continental scale and (2) use these findings to identify likely hotspots of interaction between threatened species and marine debris. The number of particles found in each beach survey was modelled alongside fifteen biological, social, and physical spatial variables including land use, physical oceanography, population, rainfall, distance to waste facilities, ports, and mangroves to identify the significant drivers of debris deposition. The model of best fit for predicting debris particle abundance was calculated using a generalized additive model. Overall, debris was more abundant at sites near catchments with high annual rainfall (mm), intensive land use (km2), and that were nearer to ports (km) and mangroves (km). These results support previous studies which state that mangroves are a significant sink for marine debris, and that large ports and urbanized catchments are significant sources for marine debris. We illustrate the applicability of these models by quantifying significant overlap between debris hotspots and the distributions for four internationally listed threatened species that exhibit debris interactions; green turtle (26,868 km2), dugong (16,164 km2), Australian sea lion (2903 km2) and Flesh‐footed Shearwater (2413 km2). This equates to less than 1% (Flesh‐footed Shearwater, Australian sea lion), over 2% (green sea turtle) and over 5% (dugong) of their habitat being identified as areas of high risk for marine debris interactions. The results of this study hold practical value, informing decision‐making processes, managing debris pollution at continental scales, as well as identifying gaps in species monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interactions such as mutualism and facilitation are common in ecosystems established by foundation species; however, their outcomes vary and show conditionality. In a Mexican Caribbean Bay, a seagrass-coralline algae (rhodoliths) mutualism protects the seagrass Thalassia testudinum from green turtle overgrazing. We postulate that the state of the seagrass meadow in this bay depends on the strengths of the interactions among seagrasses, green turtles, and coralline algae. Spatio-temporal changes through satellite imagery showed rhodolith bed developed rapidly from 2009 (undetected) to 2016 (bed of 6934 m2). Typically, such rapid expansion of the rhodoliths does not occur in seagrass meadows. An in situ growth experiment of coralline algae showed that a combination of reduction in light and wave movement (usual in dense seagrass meadows) significantly reduced their growth rates. In the rhodolith beds, the growth rates of the coralline algae Neogoniolithon sp. and Amphiroa sp. were high at 9.5 mm and 15.5 mm per growth tip y−1, respectively. In a second experiment, we found lower mortality in coralline algae within a rhodolith bed compared to algae placed outside the bed, likely explained by the reduced resuspension that we found in a third experiment, and this positive feedback may explain the high population increase in the rhodoliths, once established when the turtles grazed down the seagrass canopy. Therefore, the grazing-protection mutualism between seagrasses and coralline algae is thus conditional and came into existence under a co-occurrence of intensive grazing pressure and rapid population growth of coralline algae facilitated by positive feedback from increased growth and reduced sediment resuspension by the dense rhodolith bed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This case report offers a comprehensive analysis of the clinical symptoms, radiological findings, and postmortem examinations of three green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) investigated for spirorchiidiasis. These findings highlight the complexity and severity of the disease, emphasizing the presence of systemic, granulomatous inflammation, and its impact on the overall health of sea turtles. This study advocates for continuous research and conservation efforts to mitigate the impact of spirorchiidiasis on marine turtles. Despite the precarious state of marine turtles as a highly endangered species, our understanding of their diseases remains limited. This case report presents a detailed pathological investigation of spirorchiidiasis, a blood fluke infection that poses a substantial threat to marine turtles. This retrospective study examined three cases of spirorchiid-infected sea turtles, specifically, green sea turtles stranded on Jeju Island, South Korea. Premortem examination of the three spirorchiid-infected green sea turtles demonstrated nonspecific clinical symptoms; blood analysis revealed dehydration, malnutrition, and anemia. Computed tomography scans provided insights into severe pulmonary and extrapulmonary manifestations, including the mass present in the joint region. Post-mortem examinations consistently indicated severe lung lesions and systemic manifestations, with histopathological examination confirming the presence of spirorchiid ova across various organs. Despite the global prevalence of spirorchiidiasis in sea turtles, disease severity varies regionally. This report provides a detailed demonstration of the pathology of spirorchiidiasis in sea turtles from Northeast Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determining the genetic diversity and source rookeries of sea turtles collected from feeding grounds can facilitate effective conservation initiatives. To ascertain the genetic composition and source rookery, we examined a partial sequence of the mitochondrial control region (CR, 796 bp) of 40 green turtles (Chelonia mydas) collected from feeding grounds around the Korean Peninsula between 2014 and 2022. We conducted genetic and mixed-stock analyses (MSA) and identified 10 CR haplotypes previously reported in Japanese populations. In the haplotype network, six, three, and one haplotype(s) grouped with the Japan, Indo-Pacific, and Central South Pacific clades, respectively. The primary rookeries of the green turtles were two distantly remote sites, Ogasawara (OGA) and Central Ryukyu Island (CRI), approximately 1,300 km apart from each other. Comparing three parameters (season, maturity, and specific feeding ground), we noted that OGA was mainly associated with summer and the Jeju Sea, whereas CRI was with fall and the East (Japan) Sea ground. The maturity did not show a distinct pattern. Our results indicate that green turtles in the feeding grounds around the Korean Peninsula originate mainly from the Japan MU and have genetic origins in the Japan, Indo-Pacific, and Central South Pacific clades. Our results provide crucial insights into rookeries and MUs, which are the focus of conservation efforts of the Republic of Korea and potential parties to collaborate for green turtle conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Introduction: Identifying critical habitats for marine turtles and connectivity between genetic stocks and the foraging grounds they use is a conservation priority worldwide. Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) are impacted by a wide range of anthropogenic threats that can vary by geographic region and the ontogenetic stage of the individual. In Australia, the strengthening of the East Australian Current due to climate change is increasing ocean temperatures, particularly in southern New South Wales (NSW), which is having large-scale impacts on the distribution and abundance of marine resources. Green turtles are frequently observed in temperate southern NSW waters, but our knowledge of their habitat use, migration patterns and the impact of threatening processes is limited. Methods: To assess the origins of green turtles from foraging grounds in southeastern Australia, samples were obtained from green turtles of all size classes (post-hatchlings to adults) that had stranded along an ~870 km expanse of the NSW coast and Lord Howe Island between 1997 and 2021. Mitochondrial DNA control region sequences for 283 individuals were compared to 25 potential source genetic stocks in the Indo-Pacific using mixed-stock Results: A total of 26 haplotypes were identified in NSW, of which 14 had been previously observed at a rookery, eight had been identified previously, but not at a rookery (i.e. orphan haplotypes), and four were previously undescribed. Mixedstock analysis revealed that NSW waters support multiple genetic stocks but are dominated by those of the southern Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia genetic stocks. A small proportion of green turtles originated from more distant stocks in the Indo-Pacific region. Discussion: Understanding the connectivity between green turtle rookeries and foraging grounds provides an opportunity to assess the impact of anthropogenic threats to turtle stocks, and in turn, prioritize management actions for the conservation of green turtles across regional, national and international jurisdictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semi-articulated remains of a large chelonioid turtle from the Turonian strata (Upper Cretaceous; ca. 93.9–89.8 Myr) near Sant'Anna d'Alfaedo (Verona province, northeastern Italy) are described for the first time. Together with the skeletal elements, the specimen also preserves pebbles inside the thoracic area which are lithologically distinct from the surrounding matrix. These allochthonous clasts are here interpreted as geo-gastroliths, in-life ingested stones that resided in the digestive tract of the animal. This interpretation marks the first reported evidence of geophagy in a fossil marine turtle. SEM-EDS analysis, together with macroscopic petrological characterization, confirm the presence of both siliceous and carbonatic pebbles. These putative geo-gastroliths have morphometries and size ranges more similar to those of gastroliths in different taxa (fossils and extant) than allochthonous "dropstone" clasts from the same deposit that were carried by floating vegetation A dense pitted pattern of superficial erosion is microscopically recognizable on the carbonatic gastroliths, consistent with surface etching due to gastric acids. The occurrence of a similar pattern was demonstrated by the experimental etching of carbonatic pebbles with synthetic gastric juice. Gut contents of modern green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) were surveyed for substrate ingestion, providing direct evidence of geophagic behavior in extant chelonioids. Comparison with modern turtle dietary habits may suggests that the pebbles were ingested as a way to supplement calcium after or in preparation for egg deposition, implying that the studied specimen was possibly a gravid female. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The cornea of various vertebrate is considered a major part in the glop, which acts as a powerful lens, providing a sharp retinal image, and meantime acts as an excellent defensor for other corneal layers. Results: The four reptilian families [Scincidae (Chalcides ocellatus); Chamaeleontidae (Chameleon chameleon); Cheloniidae (Chelonia mydas) and Testudiniae (Testudo kleinmanni)] investigated in the current study were gathered across Egypt. After being taken out of the orbit, the cornea under inquiry was ready for light, specific stain and scanning electron microscopy. The epithelium, stroma, and endothelium are the three corneal layers that are common to all four species of reptiles. All other species lack Bowmen's and Descemet's membranes, with the exception of C. ocellatus and T. kleinmanni. The latter layers of Chalcides ocellatus display a strong affinity for Periodic Acid Schiff stain. Epithelial cells with a variety of forms, from hexagonal to atypical polygonal cells, cover the outer corneal surface. These epithelial cells are coated in short microplicae, microvilli, and microholes of varied diameters. There are a few blebs scattered around their surface. Conclusion: The current study concluded that various habitats have various significant effects on the cornea's microstructure characteristics and its physiological trends to accommodate different environmental surroundings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE Determine the hemolytic effect of an 18-µm microaggregate blood filter during in vitro sea turtle whole blood transfusions as well as describe the average diameter of leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) and Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) RBCs. ANIMALS 5 green (Chelonia mydas), 5 loggerhead (Caretta caretta), and 5 Kemp’s ridley sea turtles (total n = 15). METHODS Heparinized sea turtle blood was infused at 60 mL/h through a microbore extension set without and then with a postsyringe, inline 18-µm microaggregate blood filter. Pre- and postfiltration PCV, Hct, total solids, sodium, chloride, potassium, glucose, and free plasma hemoglobin concentrations were measured. With the use of light microscopy and archived blood smears, the maximum and minimum diameter of 20 RBCs from each of the 5 leatherback and 5 Kemp’s ridley sea turtles were measured with a calibrated ocular micrometer using 400X magnification. RESULTS There were no significant differences between pre- and postfiltration samples for Hct, total solids, sodium, chloride, potassium, glucose, and free plasma hemoglobin concentrations; however, there was a significant median postfiltration decrease in PCV of approximately 4%, representing a 13% decrease of the total RBCs transfused. Average maximum diameters for leatherback and Kemp’s ridley sea turtle RBCs were 19.7 and 16.1 µm, respectively. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Although the 18-µm microaggregate blood filter does not hemolyze transfused sea turtle RBCs and is likely safe for in vivo blood transfusions, the filter’s pores may retain a small proportion of infused RBCs given their diameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the Western Indian Ocean region, there is a significant knowledge gap regarding marine turtle nesting on the continental coast of East Africa. Here we present results from a long-term (2000–2020) community-based monitoring programme in and around Watamu Marine National Park, Kenya, covering 30 km of coastline (c. 6% of the national total). Conservation actions effectively protected nesting turtles and resulted in a near-total cessation of illegal egg harvesting in Watamu Marine National Park. Collected data indicate this is an important marine turtle nesting index site in Kenya and the wider region. Green turtle Chelonia mydas nests were most common (95%), followed by olive ridley turtles Lepidochelys olivacea (4%), with occasional nests of hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata and leatherback turtles Dermochelys coriacea. Clutches per season increased significantly over the 20-year monitoring period for green turtles (50%) and showed a positive trend for olive ridley turtles. Watamu remains an area at risk from human pressures such as coastal development. Clutch distribution along the Watamu Marine National Park beach has shifted over time, probably because of coastal development and disturbance. Illegal take of adults and eggs continues in areas north and south of the Watamu Marine National Park, possibly slowing rates of recovery. Clutches deemed at risk were moved to a safe location within the National Park, and hatching success was high. Continued conservation efforts, including wider engagement with stakeholders to reduce human pressures, are needed to ensure the perpetuation of this nesting site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine pollution by trace elements is a global concern due to potential toxicity to species and ecosystems. Copper is a fundamental trace element for many organisms; however, it becomes toxic at certain concentrations. The green turtle (Chelonia mydas) is a good sentinel species, due to its circumglobal distribution, long life cycle, coastal habits when juvenile, and is subject to environmental pollution. Quantifying and comparing copper levels makes it possible to understand the availability of this trace element in nature. During this research, comparisons were made between the levels of copper found in the liver, kidneys, and muscles of 35 turtles, from the United States (Hawaii and Texas), Brazil, and Japan. Copper was found in all specimens. In the liver, animals from Hawaii (91.08 µg g−1), Texas (46.11 µg g−1), and Japan (65.18 µg g−1) had statistically equal means, while those from Brazil (16. 79 µg g−1) had the lowest means. For the kidney, copper means were statistically equal for all Hawaii (3.71 µg g−1), Texas (4.83 µg g−1), Japan (2.47 µg g−1), and Brazil (1.89 µg g−1). In muscle, the means between Texas (0.75 µg g−1) and Japan (0.75 µg g−1) were the same, and the mean for Brazil (0.13 µg g−1) was the lowest. Among the organs, the highest levels of copper were found in the liver (28.33 µg g−1) followed by the kidney (2.25 µg g−1) and with the lowest levels in the muscle (0.33 µg g−1). This is the first study of copper levels among marine vertebrates in distant parts of the globe using similar comparative filters between different locations. Similar levels in turtles from such distant locations may indicate that there is a pantropical pattern of copper distribution in the biota, and that these animals are subject to the process of bioavailability of this metal in the environment and metabolic regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine megafauna are subject to several threats due to the increasing exploitation of marine ecosystems. Mortality is frequently evidenced by the occurrence of stranded individuals in coastal zones; however, conclusive identification of its drivers and causes is challenging.In this study, we explore the hypothesis that bycatch in trawling is one of the anthropic drivers of sea turtle strandings in the temperate Southwest (SW) Atlantic, where green (Chelonia mydas), loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) turtles forage seasonally.Beach survey data during March, April and May from 2014 to 2018 were used to characterize strandings and relate their spatio‐temporal distribution to physical and anthropic variables.Loggerhead (47.4%) and leatherback turtles (49.3%) were the most common stranded species, whereas green turtles were recorded only occasionally (3.3%). Based on the size distribution, strandings reflected both juvenile and adult mortality, with variations between species. Generalized linear models showed that sea turtle strandings were influenced by winds and sea surface temperature, while there was no evidence of a relationship with fishing effort. Further studies should assess drowning due to bycatch as a cause of turtle death, since interaction with fisheries is commonly reported in the area and drowned animals may or may not wash ashore.This study raises awareness and assesses, for the first time, the mortality of threatened sea turtle species in a poorly known region of its distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Galaxaura divaricata is a partially calcified macroalga that hampers coral recruitment, growth, and recovery via the excretion of allelopathic secondary metabolites. Herbivorous fishes are not major consumers of Galaxaura spp. and there is a need to understand feeding preferences for Galaxaura divaricata in other macroherbivores, like sea urchins and green sea turtles that could act as potential controlling agents. Under certain environmental conditions, G. divaricata can proliferate and overgrow degraded reefs for several years, as documented for several coral patch reefs in the lagoon of Dongsha Atoll, South China Sea. This study aimed to experimentally test the feeding preferences of five species of sea urchin and two individual green sea turtles, Chelonia mydas, for G. divaricata. Specifically, we quantified and compared the consumption rates of the allelopathic G. divaricata with Gracilaria edulis, a nonallelopathic, fleshy red alga, known to be highly favored by herbivores. Results showed that the five urchin species fed on both G. edulis and G. divaricata. However, urchins consumed 2–8 times less wet weight of G. divaricata (range 0.3–3.1 g urchin−1 24 h−1) compared to G. edulis (range 0.6–18 g urchin−1 24 h−1), suggesting that urchin grazing may exert some control on G. divaricata abundance but is likely ineffective for a large‐scale removal of the alga. Further, both green sea turtles avoided G. divaricata and selectively fed on G. edulis. More experiments are needed to test the potential role of herbivores in controlling the overgrowth of coral competitive and allelopathic macroalgae, like Galaxaura on coral reefs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cryptic and aquatic life histories of sea turtles have made them a challenging group to directly observe, leaving significant knowledge gaps regarding social behavior and fine‐scale elements of habitat use. Using a custom‐designed animal‐borne camera, we observed previously undocumented behaviors by green turtles (Chelonia mydas) at a foraging area in San Diego Bay, a highly urbanized ecosystem in California, USA. We deployed a suction‐cup‐attached pop‐off camera (manufactured by Customized Animal Tracking Solutions) on 11 turtles (mean straight carapace length = 84.0 ± 11.2 cm) for between 1 and 30.8 h. Video recordings, limited to sunlit hours, provided 73 h of total observation time between May 2022 and June 2023. We observed 32 conspecific interactions; we classified 18 as active, entailing clear social behaviors, as compared with 14 passive interactions representing brief, chance encounters. There was no evidence for agonistic interactions. The camera additionally revealed that green turtles consistently use metal structures within urban San Diego Bay. In seven instances, turtles exhibited rubbing behavior against metal structures, and we observed two examples of turtles congregating at these structures. High rates of intraspecific interaction exhibited relatively consistently among individuals provide a compelling case for sociality for green turtles in San Diego Bay, adding to a growing research base updating their historical label of "non‐social." The frequent use of metal structures by the population, in particular the rubbing of exposed skin, has implications for behavioral adaptations to urban environments. Our study exemplifies the promise of technological advances (e.g., underwater and animal‐borne cameras) for updating natural history paradigms, even for well‐studied populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Data Report provides comprehensive mitochondrial DNA haplotype data on green and hawksbill turtles in Japan, emphasizing the importance of haplotype frequencies for understanding population structure and conservation management. It discusses the challenges of comparing haplotype data across regions and offers insights into genetic investigations in Japan. The report consolidates published data and includes newly obtained sequencing data, making it a valuable resource for researchers and conservationists. Additionally, the document discusses the use of the Tamura-Nei model to estimate nucleotide substitution in hawksbill turtles and highlights the need for further research on their distribution and populations in northern Japan. The given document is a list of references cited in a research article or document related to the genetic structure, population dynamics, and conservation of green turtles in Japan and the Pacific region. These references include scientific papers, reports, and publications that provide information on topics such as the genetic diversity of green turtles, their nesting sites, feeding aggregations, and migration patterns. The document also includes references to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, which provides information on the conservation status of green turtles. These references can be useful for library patrons conducting research on green turtles and related topics. [Extracted from the article]

Verifying habitats, including the foraging and nesting areas for sea turtles, enables an understanding of their spatial ecology and successful planning of their conservation and management strategies. Recently, the observation frequency and bycatch of loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) turtles have increased in the northern limit of their distribution range, in the northern part of the East China Sea and East (Japan) Sea. We conducted satellite tracking to investigate the habitat use of seven loggerhead and eight green turtles from June 2016 to August 2022 in this area, where little is known about their spatial ecology. We applied a 50 percent volume contour method to determine their main foraging areas and analyzed 6 environmental variables to characterize their habitats. Loggerhead turtles mainly stayed in and used the East China Sea as a foraging area during the tracking period, while two individuals among them also used the East Sea as a seasonal foraging area. Most green turtles also used the East China Sea as a foraging area, near South Korea and Japan, with one individual among them using the lower area of the East Sea as a seasonal foraging area. Notably, one green turtle traveled to Hainan Island in the South China Sea, a historical nesting area. Our results showed that the two sea turtle species included the East Sea as a seasonal foraging area, possibly owing to the abundance of food sources available, despite its relatively lower sea temperature. Considering that loggerhead and green sea turtles were observed using the northern part of the East China Sea and East Sea more frequently than previously known and that the sea temperature gradually increases due to climate change, conservation and management activities are required for sea turtles in these areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overgrazing may lead to management intervention (e.g. culling, animal relocation) to try and prevent habitat destruction. Overgrazing leading to seagrass meadow collapse has been recorded for green turtles (Chelonia mydas) at several sites around the world, although the generality of this phenomenon and the need for intervention to prevent widespread seagrass destruction is unknown.Where turtles have degraded seagrass meadows, home‐ranges are expected to be large and turtles will relocate as meadows are destroyed. We used high resolution Fastloc GPS tracking (n = 32 individuals, mean = 171 days per individual, SD = 99) to record the home‐range of adult green turtles at foraging sites spanning 4523 km of longitude across the Western Indian Ocean. Contrary to predictions if overgrazing was occurring, we recorded small home‐ranges and turtles rarely relocated their daytime foraging areas.Based on all locations received, the mean 50% and 95% utilisation distributions (UD50 and UD95) were 2.4 km2 (SD = 2.7) and 15.4 km2 (SD = 17.7). Space use was often particularly small at night, when turtles rest, averaging 11% of the overall space use with the mean night‐time UD50 and UD95 being 0.15 km2 (SD = 0.1) and 1.1 km2 (SD = 0.8), respectively. Variation in home‐range across individuals was not influenced by the data volume (number of locations per day, duration of tracking) or animal size (carapace length) but increased significantly as the distance between the centre of day and night areas increased, that is individuals that had a larger daily commute had the larger home‐ranges.Synthesis and applications. Comparisons with home‐range estimates from 16 previous studies, showed that those we recorded are among the smallest for adult green turtles globally. These results suggest that despite population size increases at several major nesting sites in the Western Indian Ocean, green turtles are generally not destroying the seagrass meadows on which they forage and so management intervention to prevent overgrazing is not needed. In this way, our work illustrates how movement data may inform management decisions for green turtles. Further targeted work on the seagrass ecosystem health could help confirm this suggestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Listeria monocytogenes is a ubiquitous pathogen found both in the environment and food. It can cause listeriosis in a wide range of animals as well as in humans. Investigations on presence, spread and virulence are still limited to terrestrial and human environments. Embracing the One Health Approach, investigating the presence and spread of L. monocytogenes in marine ecosystems and among wildlife, would provide us with useful information for human health. This study investigated the presence of L. monocytogenes and Listeria spp. in two species of sea turtles common in the Mediterranean Sea (Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas). A total of one hundred and sixty-four carcasses of sea turtles (C. caretta n = 161 and C. mydas n = 3) stranded along the Abruzzo, Molise, Campania, and Calabria coasts, were collected. Brain and fecal samples were taken, enriched, and cultured for the detection of Listeria spp. From the specimens collected, strains of L. monocytogenes (brain n = 1, brain and feces n = 1, multiorgan n = 1 and feces n = 1), L. innocua (feces n = 1 and brain n = 1), and L. ivanovii (brain n = 1) were isolated. Typical colonies were isolated for Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS). Virulence genes, disinfectants/metal resistance, and antimicrobial resistance were also investigated. L. monocytogenes, L. innocua, and L. ivanovii were detected in C. caretta, whilst only L. monocytogenes and L. innocua in C. mydas. Notable among the results is the lack of significant differences in gene distribution between human and sea turtle strains. Furthermore, potentially pathogenic strains of L. monocytogenes were found in sea turtles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea turtles are threatened by factors associated with overfishing. To identify these factors, we investigated the fishing pressure and the ethnozoological knowledge of turtles along the Benin coast. A questionnaire-based field survey was undertaken in 48 villages on the Atlantic coast through structured interviews. In total, 479 fishermen and 15 traditional healers were interviewed between July and August, 2020. The Use Value in terms of the types of utilisation of the body parts of the turtles, and the frequency of citation, were calculated. More than eighty percent of the interviewees confirmed the use of turtles for food, medicine, and artisanal purposes. Communities demonstrated nonspecific preference for the four-known species – leatherback turtle, Olive Ridley turtle, green turtle, or hawksbill turtle --within the research area. The flesh is the most used body part (Use Value = 1.5 for food). Body parts of turtles such as the fat, bones etc. are used to treat several diseases, particularly asthma, fever, hypertension, cough, colds, epilepsy, brittle bones in children, and paralysis. The test used shows that the Use Values of sea turtles vary significantly at the 5 % threshold from one sociolinguistic group to another. Our research indicates that integrating traditional ecological knowledge on animal-based food and medicines could be extremely useful when developing strategies for sustainable management and conservation of marine species, and in particular sea turtles.

Currently, some sea turtle populations are expanding their home range distribution toward higher latitudes at an unprecedented rate. These expansions are associated to factors such as climate change or and increased conservation efforts. Already home to one of the largest loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) rookeries in the world, the islands of Cabo Verde Archipelago have recorded sporadic nesting of green (Chelonia mydas), olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) turtles in recent years. Here, we present the compiled information on these sporadic nesting events that occurred between 2013 and 2022 and discuss possible causes for their occurrence. Throughout the study period, the green turtle was documented on 20 occasions, the olive ridley on 25 occasions and the hawksbill on three occasions. All nesting females were found untagged and were subsequently tagged. Nesting activities occurred on the islands of Santo Antão, Sal, Boa Vista and Maio, most of them within the Sea Turtle Natural Reserve in Boa Vista Island. We suggest introducing new conservation strategies targeting the green, olive ridley, and hawksbill turtles nesting in Cabo Verde. We further suggest the use of genetic studies to determine the population origins of these three species.

No reference intervals for serum biochemistry and haematology of sea turtles in Thailand exists to assist veterinarians who are responsible for sea turtle health management and treatment. This study determined serum biochemistry and basic haematology of healthy juvenile green sea turtles (n = 92) in captivity in Thailand following the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ASVCP), Quality Assurance and Laboratory Standards Committee (QALS) guidelines for the determination of reference intervals in veterinary species. Biochemistry tests, including blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were analysed using an IDEXX VetTest Chemistry Analyzer. Haematology parameters were measured manually using a microhaematocrit for packed cell volume (PCV), Neubauer counting chamber for red blood cell count and cyanmethemoglobin method for haemoglobin concentration. mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration were calculated using the PCV, red blood cell count and haemoglobin. Turtles in this study were found to have higher mean values for PCV (28.70%), haemoglobin (92.13 g/L), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (327.03 g/L), uric acid (247.15 μmol/L), alanine aminotransferase (16.53 IU/L), aspartate aminotransferase (209.44 IU/L), and alkaline phosphatase (245.08 IU/L) compared to sea turtles in Brazil. The reference intervals established using high numbers of healthy turtles in this study will assist veterinarians with diagnostic and treatment decisions when evaluating laboratory results for juvenile green sea turtles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources lists the green turtle as endangered. Green turtle nesting behavior in the Gulf of Thailand has decreased to

Understanding the current status and recent development of the population genetics and connectivity of sea turtles is crucial for effective conservation management of the species. Five sea turtle species, green turtle (Chelonia mydas), loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) and leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), are recorded in the East Asia Region situated in the western side of the North Pacific Ocean. We compiled information from 35 published genetic studies on the five sea turtle species, with a focus on green turtle and loggerhead turtle, which are the most studied species (in 30 studies) in view of their commonness and occurrence of nesting populations. We provided an overview of the key methods and findings of these previous studies, addressing two main objectives on genetic structure of the rookeries and their differences compared to other populations, and connectivity of the rookeries and foraging aggregations. By identifying information gaps and conservation needs, we discussed future developments for sea turtle genetic studies and conservation implications in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The underwater environment is filled with various sounds, with its soundscape composed of biological, geographical, and anthropological sounds. Our work focused on developing a novel method to observe and classify these sounds, enriching our understanding of the underwater ecosystem. We constructed a biologging system allowing near-real-time observation of underwater soundscapes. Utilizing deep-learning-based edge processing, this system classifies the sources of sounds, and upon the tagged animal surfacing, it transmits positional data, results of sound source classification, and sensor readings such as depth and temperature. To test the system, we attached the logger to sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) and collected data through a cellular network. The data provided information on the location-specific sounds detected by the sea turtles, suggesting the possibility to infer the distribution of specific species of organisms over time. The data showed that not only biological sounds but also geographical and anthropological sounds can be classified, highlighting the potential for conducting multi-point and long-term observations to monitor the distribution patterns of various sound sources. This system, which can be considered an autonomous mobile platform for oceanographic observations, including soundscapes, has significant potential to enhance our understanding of acoustic diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]