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Estimating predation levels and site-specific survival of hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) from south Florida beaches

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Date Issued:
2005
Summary:
Few studies document mortality rates for hatchling sea turtles during their migration away from the nesting beach. This study quantifies and compares nearshore predation rates on loggerhead hatchlings (Caretta caretta) at several locations in southern Florida. Hatchlings were followed by observers in kayaks during the first 15 min of the migration away from the beach. The overall observed predation rate (4.6%) is similar to a previous estimate (5%) from a natural high density Florida nesting beach, and lower than at a hatchery site. Predation rates were higher on Florida's southeast coast than the southwest coast. Predation increased towards the end of the hatching season. Results suggest that currently, hatchling mortality rates are relative low in Florida's shallow nearshore waters. Given the lack of growth by loggerhead populations, the cumulative mortality must be high after hatchlings depart shallow coastal waters.
Title: Estimating predation levels and site-specific survival of hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) from south Florida beaches.
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Name(s): Whelan, Christie L.
Florida Atlantic University, Degree Grantor
Wyneken, Jeanette, Thesis Advisor
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Issuance: monographic
Date Issued: 2005
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 52 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: Few studies document mortality rates for hatchling sea turtles during their migration away from the nesting beach. This study quantifies and compares nearshore predation rates on loggerhead hatchlings (Caretta caretta) at several locations in southern Florida. Hatchlings were followed by observers in kayaks during the first 15 min of the migration away from the beach. The overall observed predation rate (4.6%) is similar to a previous estimate (5%) from a natural high density Florida nesting beach, and lower than at a hatchery site. Predation rates were higher on Florida's southeast coast than the southwest coast. Predation increased towards the end of the hatching season. Results suggest that currently, hatchling mortality rates are relative low in Florida's shallow nearshore waters. Given the lack of growth by loggerhead populations, the cumulative mortality must be high after hatchlings depart shallow coastal waters.
Identifier: 9780542137693 (isbn), 13259 (digitool), FADT13259 (IID), fau:10114 (fedora)
Note(s): Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2005.
Subject(s): Sea turtles--Florida--Atlantic Coast
Loggerhead turtle--Mortality
Predation (Biology)
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13259
Sublocation: Digital Library
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.