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Spatio-temporal distribution and migration of adult male loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) in the Mediterranean Sea: further evidence of the importance of neritic habitats off North Africa
- Source :
- Marine Biology. March 1, 2013, Vol. 160 Issue 3, p703, 16 p.
- Publication Year :
- 2013
-
Abstract
- Ten adult male loggerhead sea turtles, captured by trawlers or dip nets, were satellite-tracked from a neritic foraging ground in the Mediterranean in order to investigate adult spatio-temporal distribution and breeding migration. Five individuals migrated to potential breeding sites in Libya and one to Greece. The results complement previous studies and show that: (1) the Tunisian shelf may be more important for turtles from Libyan rookeries than previously thought; (2) male tracks corroborate a conservation hotspot previously identified for juveniles; (3) the north African coast represents a preferred migratory corridor, unless open sea routes are more direct; (4) adult males may exhibit high fidelity to relatively small areas, without evident seasonal differences; (5) adults home ranges were smaller and more neritic than juveniles frequenting the same area; (6) males may frequent multiple courtship areas; (7) the average remigration interval of males frequenting this region is longer than 1 year.<br />Introduction The Mediterranean is a geo-morphologically unique basin, with both extensive neritic and oceanic habitats within short distances. It is considered as a hotspot for marine biodiversity, with about 17,000 [...]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00253162
- Volume :
- 160
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Gale General OneFile
- Journal :
- Marine Biology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsgcl.334709614
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-012-2125-0