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Climate change is a threat to marine turtles that is expected to affect all of their life stages. To guide future research, we conducted a review of the most recent literature on this topic, highlighting knowledge gains and research gaps since a similar previous review in 2009. Most research has been focussed on the terrestrial life history phase, where expected impacts will range from habitat loss and decreased reproductive success to feminization of populations, but changes in reproductive periodicity, shifts in latitudinal ranges, and changes in foraging success are all expected in the marine life history phase. Models have been proposed to improve estimates of primary sex ratios, while technological advances promise a better understanding of how climate can influence different life stages and habitats. We suggest a number of research priorities for an improved understanding of how climate change may impact marine turtles, including: improved estimates of primary sex ratios, assessments of the implications of female-biased sex ratios and reduced male production, assessments of the variability in upper thermal limits of clutches, models of beach sediment movement under sea level rise, and assessments of impacts on foraging grounds. Lastly, we suggest that it is not yet possible to recommend manipulating aspects of turtle nesting ecology, as the evidence base with which to understand the results of such interventions is not robust enough, but that strategies for mitigation of stressors should be helpful, providing they consider the synergistic effects of climate change and other anthropogenic-induced threats to marine turtles, and focus on increasing resilience. Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - FCT info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

There is a remarkable paucity of estimates of the numeric importance of sea turtles at foraging grounds. The Banc d'Arguin (BA) is a vast shallow marine area off the coast of Mauritania, known as a site of world importance for coastal migratory birds and other biodiversity, including extensive seagrass beds. We sampled foraging green turtles on the BA, and extensively tracked adult female green turtles from the Bijagós archipelago, the only significant nesting aggregation within 3000 km of the BA, to estimate the abundance of this foraging aggregation. Additionally, we used a demographic simulation to support our findings. Based on satellite tracking of adult females (n = 46), we estimate that 50 % of the nesting population from the Bijagós migrate to the BA post-nesting. We combine data on numbers nesting in the Bijagós with information on proportion migrating to the BA in the same years to conservatively estimate that 8285 adult female green turtles forage at this site. We also estimate that adult females represent only 5.6 % of the green turtles in the BA, implying that the number of turtles there is of the order of 150,000 individuals. Most of the BA enjoys effective protection as part of the Parc National du Banc d'Arguin where significant fisheries regulations are well enforced by a marine surveillance program. We show that the BA is one of the major foraging sites for green turtles nesting in the Bijagós and a site of critical importance for immature and adult green turtles in a global context. Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - FCT info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a tumorigenic panzootic disease of sea turtles, most common in green turtles (Chelonia mydas). FP is linked to the chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5 (ChAHV5) and to degraded habitats and, though benign, large tumours can hinder vital functions, causing death. We analyse 108 green turtles, captured in 2018 and 2019, at key foraging grounds in Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania, West Africa, for the presence of FP, and use real-time PCR to detect ChAHV5 DNA, in 76 individuals. The prevalence of FP was moderate; 33% in Guinea-Bissau (n = 36) and 28% in Mauritania (n = 72), and most turtles were mildly affected, possibly due to low human impact at study locations. Juveniles had higher FP prevalence (35%, n = 82) compared to subadults (5%, n = 21), probably because individuals acquire resistance over time. ChAHV5 DNA was detected in 83% (n = 24) of the tumour biopsies, consistent with its role as aetiological agent of FP and in 26% (n = 27) of the ‘normal’ skin (not showing lesions) from FP turtles. Notably, 45% of the asymptomatic turtles were positive for ChAHV5, supporting multifactorial disease expression. We report the first baselines of FP and ChAHV5 prevalence for West Africa green turtles, essential to assess evolution of disease and future impacts of anthropogenic activities.

[Extract] Why do sea turtles garner such intense interest? The answer is visceral: they are widely loved! A cryptic life cycle spent mostly out of view lends a sense of mystery that makes them special. Yet, these large animals are highly accessible at an extremely vulnerable time, when females emerge on sandy beaches at night to lay eggs, before disappearing again into the oceans. Being nocturnal, they provide us the adventure of going out in the dark on secluded beaches to find them. Plus, the hatchlings are cute, and releasing them into the sea must be one of the most engaging activities that people can do with a protected species. To mark World Sea Turtle Day on 16 June, we—conservation scientists working across the oceans on this small yet well-studied group of seven species—reflect on their conservation. Sea turtles have lived in the oceans, largely unchanged, for millions of years. They play important roles in their ecosystems, possibly even as ecosystem engineers, and serve as prey for other protected species (Verissimo et al., 2012). They have been a source of sustenance and useful products for people for millennia, and these needs persist (Hancock et al., 2017; Humber et al., 2017; Delisle et al., 2018; Sardeshpande & MacMillan, 2019). Consequently, sea turtles are culturally important and the subject of myths and lore. They have also become economically important to many coastal communities through tourism (Waylen et al., 2009), although this can affect turtles or their habitats, if not correctly managed (Katselidis et al., 2013).

Knowledge of life history parameters is essential for the effective management of species of conservation concern. For migratory marine vertebrates such as hawksbill sea turtles Eretmochelys imbricata, feeding aggregations are important developmental habitats, allowing the study of population dynamics. Here, we used data from a 31 yr mark-recapture study of juvenile hawksbill sea turtles in the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Brazil, to estimate key demographic parameters. Turtles recruit to the neritic habitat at similar sizes to those of other Atlantic hawksbill aggregations. The curved carapace length (CCL) at the first capture ranged from 28 to 84 cm (mean ± SD: 44.6 ± 9.8 cm). Median minimum residence time of turtles captured at least twice was 3.2 yr, whilst long-term minimum residence of up to 14 yr was also observed, with turtles showing site fidelity within the archipelago. The mean size of turtles captured was constant throughout time. Turtles grew on average 3.4 ± 2.2 cm yr-1, with a monotonic expected growth rate function generally decreasing with increasing size. At these rates, hawksbill turtles in Fernando de Noronha would need to spend ca. 14-18 yr to reach minimum adult breeding size (~74 cm CCL). This mark-recapture study has been essential to understanding the ecology and demographic parameters of this regional hawksbill turtle neritic foraging ground.

Few studies have looked into climate change resilience of populations of wild animals. We use a model higher vertebrate, the green sea turtle, as its life history is fundamentally affected by climatic conditions, including temperature-dependent sex determination and obligate use of beaches subject to sea level rise (SLR). We use empirical data from a globally important population in West Africa to assess resistance to climate change within a quantitative framework. We project 200 years of primary sex ratios (1900-2100) and create a digital elevation model of the nesting beach to estimate impacts of projected SLR. Primary sex ratio is currently almost balanced, with 52% of hatchlings produced being female. Under IPCC models, we predict: (a) an increase in the proportion of females by 2100 to 76%-93%, but cooler temperatures, both at the end of the nesting season and in shaded areas, will guarantee male hatchling production; (b) IPCC SLR scenarios will lead to 33.4%-43.0% loss of the current nesting area; (c) climate change will contribute to population growth through population feminization, with 32%-64% more nesting females expected by 2120; (d) as incubation temperatures approach lethal levels, however, the population will cease growing and start to decline. Taken together with other factors (degree of foraging plasticity, rookery size and trajectory, and prevailing threats), this nesting population should resist climate change until 2100, and the availability of spatial and temporal microrefugia indicates potential for resilience to predicted impacts, through the evolution of nest site selection or changes in nesting phenology. This represents the most comprehensive assessment to date of climate change resilience of a marine reptile using the most up-to-date IPCC models, appraising the impacts of temperature and SLR, integrated with additional ecological and demographic parameters. We suggest this as a framework for other populations, species and taxa.

Climate change associated sea level rise (SLR) is expected to have profound impacts on coastal areas, affecting many species including sea turtles which depend on these habitats for egg incubation. Being able to accurately model beach topography using digital terrain models (DTMs) is therefore crucial to project SLR impacts and develop effective conservation strategies. Traditional survey methods are typically low-cost with low accuracy or high-cost with high accuracy. We present a novel combination of drone-based photogrammetry and a low-cost and portable real-time kinematic (RTK) GPS to create DTMs which are highly accurate (

Understanding sea turtle diets can help conservation planning, but their trophic ecology is complex due to life history characteristics such as ontogenetic shifts and large foraging ranges. Studying sea turtle diet is challenging, particularly where ecological foraging observations are not possible. Here, we test a new minimally invasive method for the identification of diet items in sea turtles. We fingerprinted diet content using DNA from esophageal and cloacal swab samples by metabarcoding the 18S rRNA gene. This approach was tested on samples collected from green turtles (Chelonia mydas) from a juvenile foraging aggregation in the Bijagós archipelago in Guinea-Bissau. Esophagus samples (n = 6) exhibited a higher dietary richness (11 ± 5 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) per sample; average ± SD) than cloacal ones (n = 5; 8 ± 2 ASVs). Overall, the diet was dominated by red macroalgae (Rhodophyta; 48.2 ± 16.3% of all ASVs), with the main food item in the esophagus and cloaca being a red alga belonging to the Rhodymeniophycidae subclass (35.1 ± 27.2%), followed by diatoms (Bacillariophyceae; 7.5 ± 7.3%), which were presumably consumed incidentally. Seagrass and some invertebrates were also present. Feeding on red algae was corroborated by field observations and barcoding of food items available in the benthic habitat,validating the approach for identifying diet content. We conclude that identification of food items using metabarcoding of esophageal swabs is useful for a better understanding of the relationships between the feeding behavior of sea turtles and their environment.

The loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta is a vulnerable migratory species that spends its first years of life in the open sea. During this developmental phase, loggerheads can be found foraging in the epipelagic zone of the waters surrounding the Madeira Archipelago, providing a rare opportunity to gather information on the ecology of its oceanic developmental stage. In this study, we characterized the isotopic niche of these juveniles, using stable isotope analysis. We assessed two groups of turtles, turtles captured alive (n = 24) and turtles captured as bycatch on local longlines (n = 12), and explored whether animals caught in the local fishing gear represented a random sample of the population, or whether there is some evidence for a specialized foraging behaviour. We found that turtle bycatch had a significantly higher mean stable nitrogen isotope value in whole blood (δ15N = 8.5 ± 0.6‰ SD) compared to the group of turtles captured alive in the same period (δ15N = 7.6 ± 0.5‰ SD), indicating that they had a different diet. While there was a tendency for turtle bycatch to be slightly larger, we found no effect of body size on δ15N values. We propose a distinct foraging behaviour strategy hypothesis, with a group of turtles being more susceptible to interactions with fisheries and thus having a higher mortality risk, which should motivate the implementation of existing guidelines to reduce sea turtle bycatch. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Genetic studies on green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the Eastern Atlantic have mostly focused on reproductive females, with limited information available regarding juveniles and foraging grounds. Improved understanding of genetic diversity and patterns of connectivity between nesting and foraging grounds is critical to identify management units and delineate suitable conservation strategies. Here we analyzed data from 11 microsatellite markers and sequences of the mitochondrial control region from both juveniles and females sampled in foraging and nesting aggregations around São Tomé and Príncipe islands, in the Gulf of Guinea, West Africa. Both nuclear and mtDNA data were congruent in showing that São Tomé and Príncipe's green turtles population exhibit high levels of genetic diversity, which are similar to those reported for other foraging aggregates in the Atlantic. Although signs of population substructure among foraging and nesting grounds of São Tomé and Príncipe islands were not apparent, our analysis based on mtDNA marker showed that both juvenile and adult turtles were genetically differentiated from other foraging and nesting Atlantic populations. The similar levels of genetic diversity found in both juveniles and females are consistent with the results from mixed stock analyses, which suggested that São Tomé and Príncipe's rookery is the primary source of juveniles to the local foraging aggregation. Taken these aspects in consideration, we argue that São Tomé and Príncipe green turtles show limited dispersal and should be considered an important management unit, and conservation actions in this archipelago must be implemented not only at the level of the rookery but should also include the foraging aggregations. Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia - FCT info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersion

Outbreaks of fibropapillomatosis (FP), a neoplastic infectious disease of marine turtles, have occurred worldwide since the 1980s. Its most likely aetiological agent is a virus, but disease expression depends on external factors, typically associated with altered environments. The scarcity of robust long-term data on disease prevalence has limited interpretations on the impacts of FP on turtle populations. Here we model the dynamics of FP at 2 green turtle foraging aggregations in Puerto Rico, through 18 yr of capture-mark-recapture data (1997−2014). We observed spatiotemporal variation in FP prevalence, potentially modulated via individual site-fidelity. FP ex pression was residency dependent, and FP-free individuals developed tumours after 1.8 ± 0.8 yr (mean ± SD) in the infected area. Recovery from the disease was likely, with complete tumour regression occurring in 2.7 ± 0.7 yr (mean ± SD). FP does not currently seem to be a major threat to marine turtle populations; however, disease prevalence is yet unknown in many areas. Systematic monitoring is highly advisable as human-induced stressors can lead to deviations in host− pathogen relationships and disease virulence. Finally, data collection should be standardized for a global assessment of FP dynamics and impacts. Natural and Environmental Resources of Puerto Rico (DNER); US National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFSNOAA Section 6); US Fish and Wildlife Service, Chelonia; WIDECAST; Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Nest site selection is a critical behaviour, particularly in species with no parental care, as it can greatly impact offspring survival. Marine turtles depend on sandy beaches to nest, where they select from a range of microhabitats that may differently affect hatchling survival and phenotype. Here we describe the degree of nest site selection at one of the largest green turtle rookeries globally, in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa, and how this impacts offspring. In 2013 and 2014 we recorded the spatial distribution of 1559 nests, and monitored 657 females during oviposition, to assess population and individual preferences on nesting site. Overall, females tended to nest close to the vegetation, at a preferred elevation of 4.8e5.0 m, which was above the highest spring tide (4.7 m), enhancing clutch survival. Individuals displayed high repeatability in nesting microhabitat type (open sand, forest border and forest), distance along the beach, distance to the vegetation and elevation, which may result from this behaviour having a genetic basis or from fine-scale nest site philopatry. Hatchlings from cooler nests were larger, potentially dispersing faster and more able to evade predators, while smaller hatchlings, from warmer nests, retained more energetic reserves (residual yolk), which may also be advantageous for initial dispersal, particularly if food is scarce. Thus, individual preferences in nest site selection led to trade-offs in offspring phenotype, but overall, most nesting females selected sites that increased offspring survival, suggesting that nest site selection is an adaptive trait that has been under selection. As under future climate change scenarios females nesting in upper shaded areas should have higher fitness, individual consistency in nesting microhabitat provides opportunity for natural selection to occur. MAVA Foundation; Rufford Foundation; Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia - (FCT) info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

For effective management of species of conservation concern, knowledge of life history parameters is essential. Here, we present the results of one of the longest ongoing capture-mark-recapture studies of juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas) worldwide. From 1988 to 2013, 1,279 individual turtles were tagged in Fernando de Noronha, Brazil (3°51′S, 32°25′W). The size distribution at first capture varied between 27 and 87 cm (mean ± SD 47.9 ± 11.3 cm) curved carapace length (CCL). Median residence time was 2.4 year (with long-term residence of up to 11.2 year), with individuals exhibiting some site fidelity within the Archipelago. Turtles at this site are slow growing (mean 2.6 ± 1.6 cm year−1; range −0.9 to 7.9 cm year−1; n = 1,022), with a non-monotonic expected growth rate function and a peak in growth rates occurring at 50–60 cm CCL. At these rates, turtles in Fernando de Noronha would need to spend ca. 22 years to grow from 30 to 87 cm CCL and even longer to reach minimum adult breeding size. A Cormack–Jolly–Seber model was used to estimate the apparent survival of the residents and recapture probabilities (2001–2012). The estimated annual abundance ranged from 420 to 1,148 individuals. Confidence around abundance estimates was low, and there was no significant trend over the period, despite steep recent increases at the major source rookery. Slow growth and stable stocking numbers may be suggestive of density-dependent regulation having taken place following initial population recovery that occurred prior to the current study.

Global climate change is expected to have major impacts on biodiversity. Sea turtles have temperature-dependent sex determination, and many populations produce highly female-biased offspring sex ratios, a skew likely to increase further with global warming. We estimated the primary sex ratio at one of the world’s largest green turtle Chelonia mydas rookeries in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa, and explored its resilience to climate change. In 2013 and 2014, we deployed data loggers recording nest (n = 101) and sand (n = 30) temperatures, and identified hatchling sex by histological examination of gonads. A logistic curve was fitted to the data to allow predictions of sex ratio across habitats and through the nesting season. The population-specific pivotal temperature was 29.4°C, with both sexes produced within incubation temperatures from 27.6 to 31.4°C: the transitional range of temperatures (TRT). Primary sex ratio changed from male- to female-biased across relatively small temporal and spatial scales. Overall it was marginally female-biased, but we estimated an exceptionally high male hatchling production of 47.7% (95% CI: 36.7-58.3%) and 44.5% (95% CI: 33.8-55.4%) in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Both the temporal and spatial variation in incubation conditions and the wide range of the TRT suggest resilience and potential for adaptation to climate change if the present nesting habitat remains unchanged. These findings underline the importance of assessing site-specific parameters to understand populations’ responses to climate change, particularly with regard to identifying rookeries with high male hatchling production that may be key for the future conservation of sea turtles under projected global warming scenarios.

Marine migratory species encounter a range of threats as they move through coastal and oceanic zones. Understanding the connectivity and dispersal patterns of such species is critical to their effective conservation. Here we analyzed the temporal genetic composition and the most likely origin of juvenile green turtles foraging at Puerto Manglar and Tortuga Bay, Culebra, Puerto Rico, using mitochondrial DNA control region sequences. We identified 17 haplotypes, of which CM-A3 (51.5%), CM-A5 (19.4%) and CM-A1 (13.6%) were the most common. Haplotype (h) and nucleotide (π) diversities were 0.680 and 0.008, respectively. There was no evidence of significant variation in the genetic composition of these aggregations throughout seven years (2000-2006), suggesting that relative contributions from source populations did not significantly change during this period. Mixed Stock Analysis (MSA), incorporating 14 Atlantic nesting populations as possible sources, indicated four main contributing stocks to the Culebra foraging grounds: Costa Rica (34.9%), Mexico (29.2%), East Central Florida (13.2%), and Suriname (12.0%). The regional pattern of connectivity among Wider Caribbean rookeries and Culebra was further evidenced by a second MSA using Atlantic Regional Management Units (RMUs) as sources, with 94.1% of the mixed stock attributed to this area. This study addresses the information gap on the connectivity of the green turtle in the North Atlantic, and establishes an important baseline that can be used to determine future changes in stock composition. Department of Natural and Environ-mental Resources of Puerto Rico; US National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS-NOAA, Section 6, grant NA08NMF4720436); US Fish and Wildlife Service, Chelonia Inc, and WIDECAST. Work was conducted under permits by NMFS-NOAA (permit nos. 1253, 1518, 14949) and DNER (06-EPE-016). ARP had the support of the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Material suplementar disponível em: http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v569/p215-225/ Marine turtles are highly migratory species that establish multiple connections among distant areas, through oceanic migration corridors. To improve the knowledge on the connectivity of Atlantic green turtles Chelonia mydas, we analysed the genetic composition and contribution to juvenile aggregations of one of the world's largest rookeries at Poilao Island, Guinea-Bissau. We amplified 856 bp mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequences of this population (n = 171) containing the similar to 490 bp haplotypes used in previous studies. Haplotype CM-A8 was dominant (99.4%), but it divided in 2 variants when the whole 856 bp was considered: CM-A8.1 (98.8%) and CM-A8.3 (0.6%). We further identified the haplotype CM-A42.1 (0.6%), found previously only in juvenile foraging grounds at Argentina, Brazil and Equatorial Guinea. The Poilao breeding population was genetically different from all others in the Atlantic (FST range: 0.016-0.961, p < 0.001). An extensive 'many-to-many' mixed-stock analysis (MSA) including 14 nesting populations (1815 samples) and 17 foraging grounds (1686 samples) supported a strong contribution of Poilao to West Africa (51%) but also to the Southwest Atlantic (36%). These findings, in particular the strong connectivity within West Africa, where illegal harvesting is still common, should motivate conservation partnerships, so that population protection can be effectively extended through all life stages. Our study expands the knowledge on migration patterns and connectivity of green turtles in the Atlantic, evidences the importance of larger sample sizes and emphasizes the need to include more finely resolved markers in MSAs and more genetic sampling from West African foraging grounds to further resolve the connectivity puzzle for this species. Fundação para a Ciência e a Tencologia (FCT); MAVA Foundation; Rufford Foundation; Darwin Initiative; Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad, Spain info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Populations of many vulture species have undergone substantial declines. In Africa, 82% are threatened and although research on vultures has increased, the biology and ecology of several species is still poorly known. The Palm-nut Vulture Gypohierax angolensis has peculiar ecological characteristics, feeding on palm fruits, associated with the aquatic environment and taking a wide variety of prey. It has been over 40 years since the last thorough study on the ecology of the species was undertaken. This study investigated several ecological and behavioural aspects of Palm-nut Vultures, using a combination of direct observations, stable isotope analysis and Bayesian mixing models. The population of this species within the João Vieira and Poilão Marine National Park is estimated to be 21–30 birds km−2. Egg laying started in November (early dry season) and some chicks were still growing in early May. A minimum of 54% of nests produced a fledgling. Observations suggest that Palm-nut Vultures moult all flight feathers annually, between January and November. Their foraging behaviour is described and cafeteria trials showed their preference for fish over oil palm fruits. However, it is estimated that oil palm fruits account for almost 50% of the assimilated diet, followed by fish, crabs and Green Turtle hatchlings or eggs, as revealed by stable isotopes and Bayesian mixing models. Résumé: Les populations de beaucoup d’espèces de vautours connaissent un important déclin. En Afrique, 82% sont menacées et malgré l’augmentation des recherches sur les vautours, la biologie et l’écologie de plusieurs espèces restent mal connues. Le Vautour Palmiste africain Gypohierax angolensis a des caractéristiques écologiques particulières: se nourrissant des fruits de palmiers, il est associé à l’environnement aquatique et se nourri d’une large variété de proies. La dernière étude approfondie sur son écologie a été effectuée il y a plus de 40 ans. Cette étude a enquêté plusieurs aspects écologiques et comportementaux du Vautour Palmiste africain, utilisant une combinaison entre des observations directes, l’analyse de la stabilité de l’isotope et la modélisation mixte de Bayesian. La population de ces espèces dans le Parc Marin National Poilão et le João Vieira est estimée à 21-30 oiseaux/km². La ponte des oeufs a commencé en Novembre (au début de la saison sèche) et quelques poussins étaient encore en cours de croissance début Mai. Au minimum 54% des nids ont produit un jeune. Les observations suggèrent que le Palmiste africain mue toutes ses plumes de vol une fois par an, entre Janvier et Novembre. Ses comportements de nourrissage ont été décrits et il a été jugé qu’ils montraient une préférence pour le poisson plutôt que l’huile des fruits de palmier. Cependant, il a été estimé que l’huile de Palme compte pour presque 50% de leur régime alimentaire, suivi pas le poisson, les crabes et les oeufs de Tortues Vertes (ou des jeunes pendant l’éclosion), comme l’ont révélé l’isotope stable la modélisation mixte de Bayesian. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The lionfish (Pterois volitans), has become an abundant alien species along the southeast coast of the United States of America and in Caribbean coastal waters. Although, they represent a major concern in conservation, no studies have yet assessed their population ecology and genetic structure simultaneously. We collected 227 lionfish from 24 sites around Puerto Rico to investigate, the length distribution, length-weight relationships, relative condition factor, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genetic diversity. The total length distribution ranged between 37 and 349 mm with a single peak between 130 and 149 mm. Our analysis indicated isometric growth for mature individuals and a positive allometric growth for immature lionfishes. These results suggest a different allocation of resources, most likely reproduction for mature individuals and somatic growth for the immature lionfish. The relative condition factor (KN) was similar for immature and mature individuals. Genetic analyses indicated that P. volitans is the only lionfish species present in Puerto Rico, and that its origin was likely dispersal from the epicenter of introduction off the coast of Florida. Interestingly, only four of the nine mtDNA haplotypes identified in the Atlantic were observed in the Puerto Rican population. A fine-scale population genetic analysis suggested a significantly different population structure between the west and south coasts. Finally, our data suggests a second founder effect, but with a reduction of haplotype diversity.

Interspecies bacterial communication is mediated by autoinducer-2, whose synthesis depends on luxS. Due to the apparent universality of luxS (present in more than 40 bacterial species), it may have an ancient origin; however, no direct evidence is currently available. We amplified luxS in bacteria isolated from 25- to 40-million-year-old amber. The phylogenies and molecular clocks of luxS and the 16S rRNA gene from ancient and extant bacteria were determined as well. Luminescence assays using Vibrio harveyi BB170 aimed to determine the activity of luxS. While the phylogeny of luxS was very similar to that of extant Bacillus spp., amber isolates exhibited unique 16S rRNA gene phylogenies. This suggests that luxS may have been acquired by horizontal transfer millions of years ago. Molecular clocks of luxS suggest slow evolutionary rates, similar to those of the 16S rRNA gene and consistent with a conserved gene. Dendograms of the 16S rRNA gene and luxS show two separate clusters for the extant and ancient bacteria, confirming the uniqueness of the latter group.

Inshore bays are key foraging grounds for immature green turtles Chelonia mydas. At these confined areas, capturemarkrecapture (CMR) programs generate valuable informa- tion that can be used to estimate vital rates, essential for the effective conservation of this endan- gered species. We compiled the CMR history profiles of 273 individuals from 13 yr of in-water sur- veys and employed the Cormack-Jolly-Seber model to estimate the survival probabilities of green turtles in 2 neritic bays at Culebra municipality, Puerto Rico. The CMR profiles were grouped into 2 size classes: juvenile and subadult. No adults were captured during the study. We found no sig- nificant differences in survival probability between the green turtles occupying each bay. We also assessed the survival probability of fibropapillomatosis (FP)-afflicted turtles versus FP-free turtles and found no significant differences among these groups. However, there was a significant differ- ence in survival between the 2 size classes. Juveniles showed a higher survival probability (0.8322, 95% CI = 0.7875 to 0.8690) than subadults (0.5290, 95% CI = 0.3851 to 0.6682). The low survival of subadults is potentially biased by the permanent emigration of some of these individu- als. Previous studies have shown that larger immatures leave shallow protected bays and occupy deeper open waters, sometimes associated with adults. Juveniles seem to be resident, and their survival rate can serve as a reference value for viability analysis. This is the first study on the survival of green turtles in the West Indies.

A global phylogeny for chelonid fibropapilloma-associated herpesvirus (CFPHV), the most likely aetiological agent of fibropapillomatosis (FP) in sea turtles, was inferred, using dated sequences, through Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo analysis and used to estimate the virus evolutionary rate independent of the evolution of the host, and to resolve the phylogenetic positions of new haplotypes from Puerto Rico and the Gulf of Guinea. Four phylogeographical groups were identified: eastern Pacific, western Atlantic/eastern Caribbean, mid-west Pacific and Atlantic. The latter comprises the Gulf of Guinea and Puerto Rico, suggesting recent virus gene flow between these two regions. One virus haplotype from Florida remained elusive, representing either an independent lineage sharing a common ancestor with all other identified virus variants or an Atlantic representative of the lineage giving rise to the eastern Pacific group. The virus evolutionary rate ranged from 1.62x10(-4) to 2.22x10(-4) substitutions per site per year, which is much faster than what is expected for a herpesvirus. The mean time for the most recent common ancestor of the modern virus variants was estimated at 192.90-429.71 years ago, which, although more recent than previous estimates, still supports an interpretation that the global FP pandemic is not the result of a recent acquisition of a virulence mutation(s). The phylogeographical pattern obtained seems partially to reflect sea turtle movements, whereas altered environments appear to be implicated in current FP outbreaks and in the modern evolutionary history of CFPHV. DNER-PR; US NMFS (NMFS-NOAA) [NA08NMF4720436]; US-Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS); Sociedad Chelonia; WIDECAST; US Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA); Lisbon Oceanarium, Portugal; Interdisciplinary Research Center for Animal Health of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Technical University of Lisbon (FMV/TUL) info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The critiques by Weyrich et al . (2014) and any other colleague on our paper analyzing the evolutionary history of genes involved in quorum sensing are certainly welcome, although the former seem to be based on several erroneous assumptions. The skepticism associated with any publication dealing with apparently ancient bacteria is completely understood because of the possible problems associated with contamination. However, and in contradiction to what Weyrich et al . mention, we did not fail to address previous publications; we are very well aware of them. We carry out these experiments as carefully as any microbiologist would: granted, contamination may still occur, but our own procedures indicate directly or indirectly that there is no contamination by extant bacteria or remaining DNA. Arguments for or against demonstration of the resilience of bacteria and biological molecules will go on, as it would be impossible to answer every single one of the critiques by doing yet further experiments. As responsible scientists, we can only present data obtained from carefully designed experiments, present the data to peer review, and let the readers draw their own conclusions. We were very aware that our results would be met with skepticism, given the belief in the apparent impossibility of the survival of microorganisms over a certain period of time. A similar response occurred when other colleagues reported the viable but nonculturable state. However, as we dig deeper into this area, we …