Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Calandra N. Turner Tomaszewicz, Larisa Avens, Jeffrey A. Seminoff, Colin J. Limpus, Nancy N. FitzSimmons, Michael L. Guinea, Kellie L. Pendoley, Paul A. Whittock, Anna Vitenbergs, Scott D. Whiting, Anton D. Tucker
Summary: In this study, researchers utilized rare bone samples from northern Australia to estimate the age and growth rate of flatback sea turtles using skeletochronology for the first time. By analyzing humeri from 74 turtles, they identified the onset of sexual maturity and provided empirical estimates of age and size at sexual maturation. This study generates valuable estimates for the conservation and management efforts for flatback sea turtles.
Article
Ecology
Phillipa Wilson, Michele Thums, Charitha Pattiaratchi, Scott Whiting, Mark Meekan, Kellie Pendoley
Summary: The study found that despite lacking an oceanic development stage, flatback turtle hatchlings are still able to use wave cues for orientation. Acceleration generated by waves may be a key characteristic that drives hatchling bearings towards the oncoming wave direction.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
D. Sousa-Guedes, N. Sillero, F. Bessa, A. Marco
Summary: Coastal urbanization, plastic pollution, and climate change are posing increasing threats to marine turtles' nesting habitats. A study found that high-density plastic pollution significantly decreases the probability of successful emergence for turtle eggs and hatchlings, as well as disrupts the synchronized emergence of hatchlings, potentially increasing their vulnerability to predation.
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Sara Abalo-Morla, Rafael Munoz-Mas, Jesus Tomas, Eduardo J. Belda
Summary: Nesting events of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) are increasing in the Western Mediterranean Sea, far from their usual nesting areas. A study was conducted to understand the dispersal behavior and habitat use of loggerhead post-hatchlings from this new nesting area. Satellite-tracking data of 19 head-started loggerhead post-hatchlings released from the Spanish Mediterranean coast between 2016 and 2018 were analyzed. The turtles dispersed over large areas, swimming actively against sea currents. While the dispersal routes varied for each individual, they consistently dispersed southeastwards, especially during colder periods. Some post-hatchlings traveled through the Sicilian Channel to reach deep and warmer areas in the eastern Mediterranean basin. Conservation measures should focus on protecting these developmental areas.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Takahiro Shimada, Colin J. J. Limpus, Nancy N. N. FitzSimmons, Janine Ferguson, Duncan Limpus, Rachel K. K. Spinks
Summary: Light pollution caused by artificial night lighting from coastal development poses a threat to animals that rely on natural light cues, such as sea turtles. Our investigation found that hatchlings and adult female flatback turtles showed misorientation when exposed to visible sky glow from up to 50 km away. Proper management of coastal light pollution is crucial to prevent further disruptive impacts on sea turtle species.
REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Javier Hernandez-Fernandez, Andres Pinzon-Velasco, Ellie Anne Lopez, Pilar Rodriguez-Becerra, Leonardo Marino-Ramirez
Summary: Exposure of loggerhead turtle erythrocytes to MeHg led to changes in gene expression patterns, affecting cellular processes such as cell cycle regulation, lysosomal activity, autophagy, and mitochondrial function. Despite a low response of antioxidant machinery to MeHg, the RBCs maintained constitutive expression of proteins for defense against ROS induced by MeHg.
Article
Zoology
Ray M. Chatterji, Mark N. Hutchinson, Marc E. H. Jones
Summary: This study described three adult skulls of the Australian flatback sea turtle, Natator depressus, and re-examined their phylogenetic relationships. Using X-ray micro Computed Tomography, the internal structures of the braincase were described and new phylogenetically informative characters were identified. The results strongly support a sister-group relationship between Chelonia mydas and N. depressus, which matches the topology supported by analysis of molecular data.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Alberto Arencibia, Aday Melian, Jorge Oros
Summary: This study developed an interactive 2D atlas viewing software for the head of loggerhead sea turtles, providing 55 images for anatomical learning. The software can be a useful resource for veterinarians, biologists, researchers, and students involved in sea turtle conservation.
Article
Ecology
Fanny Claire Capri, Elena Prazzi, Giulia Casamento, Delia Gambino, Giovanni Cassata, Rosa Alduina
Summary: Microbial communities play a crucial role in understanding host ecology and can be used as a tool to enhance species conservation efforts. However, microbial infections can negatively impact host development and viability. This study analyzed and compared the microbial composition of two nests of the widespread marine turtle species Caretta caretta with different hatching success rates from an Italian nesting beach. The results identified dominant bacterial phyla and suggested certain bacterial families as potential causes of hatching failures. Additionally, the study revealed the active role of the nests in shaping the bacterial communities in the sand. These findings highlight the importance of microbiological analysis in monitoring nests and implementing preventive measures to reduce hatching failures.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Antonia Solomando, Francisca Pujol, Antoni Sureda, Samuel Pinya
Summary: Plastic waste has become prevalent in the seas and oceans, posing a threat to marine species. A study on loggerhead turtles in the Balearic Islands revealed a high occurrence of plastic debris ingestion, particularly plastic sheets.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Larissa Schneider, Anton D. Tucker, Kathryn Vincent, Sabrina Fossette, Erina J. Young, Scott D. Whiting
Summary: Mercury pollution in the surface ocean has doubled over the past century. This study investigated mercury concentrations in skin and carapace of nesting flatback turtles in Western Australia, finding that turtle size influenced mercury concentrations. Turtles from Eighty Mile Beach had significantly higher skin mercury concentrations compared to Thevenard Island, while there was no significant difference in carapace mercury concentrations. These findings provide a baseline for comparing mercury contamination in Australia's surrounding oceans.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Ludovica Di Renzo, Maria Elisabetta De Angelis, Marina Torresi, Valeria Di Lollo, Giovanni Di Teodoro, Daniela Averaimo, Sabrina Vanessa Patrizia Defourny, Federica Di Giacinto, Chiara Profico, Vincenzo Olivieri, Francesco Pomilio, Cesare Camma, Nicola Ferri, Gabriella Di Francesco
Summary: This study reports the first case of severe septicaemic infection of Listeria monocytogenes in a stranded loggerhead sea turtle and the first detection of Listeria in the marine environment. The strain of Listeria was analyzed in detail, and antibiotic resistance genes were identified. This research is of great importance for understanding the transmission and infection mechanisms of Listeria in wild species.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jonathan R. Monsinjon, Antoine Laforge, Philippe Gaspar, Anne Barat, Olivier Bousquet, Stephane Ciccione, Claire Jean, Katia Ballorain, Mayeul Dalleau, Rui Coelho, Sylvain Bonhommeau, Jerome Bourjea
Summary: Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) exhibit ontogenetic shifts, using different habitats at different life stages. A study in the Indian Ocean revealed that late juvenile turtles traveled to the Northwestern Indian Ocean, predominantly using neritic habitats in the continental shelf. Three types of movements were identified, associated with traveling, wandering, and foraging behaviors. The study highlights the importance of understanding the strategies and behaviors of loggerhead turtles to protect this endangered species.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Julie C. Chow, Nia Kyritsis, Micah Mills, Matthew H. Godfrey, Craig A. Harms, Paul E. Anderson, Andrew M. Shedlock
Summary: Digital transcriptomics is a powerful technology for modeling the adaptive landscape in diverse lineages, particularly valuable in taxa like turtles at risk due to anthropogenic impacts. Investigating the genomic basis of potential resiliency in endangered loggerhead sea turtles is crucial for future conservation strategies, highlighting shared biological pathways related to development, migration, immunity, and longevity.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Diana Sousa-Guedes, Sara C. Cunha, Jose O. Fernandes, Diana Semedo, Neftali Sillero, Adolfo Marco, Filipa Bessa
Summary: Plastic pollution is a global environmental issue that affects sea turtle nesting grounds. The study found that plastic debris on the surface can leak contaminants and contaminate turtle nests, while buried plastics do not have this issue.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
L. Irene Terry, Robert B. Roemer, David T. Booth, Chris J. Moore, Gimme H. Walter
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2016)
Review
Zoology
David T. Booth
INTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY
(2017)
Article
Ecology
Zoe Truscott, David T. Booth, Colin J. Limpus
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Juan Lei, David T. Booth
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
David Terrington Booth, Andrew Dunstan
Article
Ecology
Juan Lei, David T. Booth
Article
Ecology
Melissa N. Staines, David T. Booth, Colin J. Limpus
ACTA OECOLOGICA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Zoology
David T. Booth, Javier Onate-Casado, Mohd Uzair Rusli, Taylor Stewart
CHELONIAN CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Zoology
Mohd Uzair Rusli, David T. Booth
AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
(2018)
Review
Zoology
David T. Booth
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART A-ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Zoology
Juan Lei, David T. Booth
AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
(2017)
Article
Zoology
Juan Lei, David T. Booth
CHELONIAN CONSERVATION AND BIOLOGY
(2017)
Article
Plant Sciences
R. B. Roemer, D. Booth, L. I. Terry, G. H. Walter
AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2017)
Article
Zoology
Juan Lei, David T. Booth, Ross G. Dwyer
AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
(2017)
Article
Ecology
Juan Lei, David T. Booth