The diving behaviour of four leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) was recorded for periods of 0.5–8.1 months during their postnesting movements in the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, when they covered 1569–18,994 km. Dive data were obtained using satellite-linked transmitters which also provided information on the dive depths and profiles of the turtles. Turtles mainly dove to depths b 200 m, with maximum dive durations under 30–40 min and exhibited diel variations in their diving activity for most part of the routes, with dives being usually longer at night. Diurnal dives were in general quite short, but cases of very deep ( N 900 m) and prolonged ( N 70 min) dives were however recorded only during daytime. The three turtles that were tracked for the longest time showed a marked change in behaviour during the tracking, decreasing their dive durations and ceasing to dive deeply. Moreover, diel variations disappeared, with nocturnal dives becoming short and numerous. This change in turtle diving activity appeared to be related to water temperature, suggesting an influence of seasonal prey availability on their diving behaviour. The turtle diving activity was independent on the shape of their routes, with no changes between linear movements in the core of main currents or looping segments in presence of oceanic eddies.

Long-term monitoring of leatherback turtle diving behaviour during oceanic movements

LUSCHI, PAOLO;MENCACCI, RESI;BENVENUTI, SILVANO;PAPI, FLORIANO
2006-01-01

Abstract

The diving behaviour of four leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) was recorded for periods of 0.5–8.1 months during their postnesting movements in the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, when they covered 1569–18,994 km. Dive data were obtained using satellite-linked transmitters which also provided information on the dive depths and profiles of the turtles. Turtles mainly dove to depths b 200 m, with maximum dive durations under 30–40 min and exhibited diel variations in their diving activity for most part of the routes, with dives being usually longer at night. Diurnal dives were in general quite short, but cases of very deep ( N 900 m) and prolonged ( N 70 min) dives were however recorded only during daytime. The three turtles that were tracked for the longest time showed a marked change in behaviour during the tracking, decreasing their dive durations and ceasing to dive deeply. Moreover, diel variations disappeared, with nocturnal dives becoming short and numerous. This change in turtle diving activity appeared to be related to water temperature, suggesting an influence of seasonal prey availability on their diving behaviour. The turtle diving activity was independent on the shape of their routes, with no changes between linear movements in the core of main currents or looping segments in presence of oceanic eddies.
2006
Sale, A.; Luschi, Paolo; Mencacci, Resi; Lambardi, P.; Hughes, G. R.; Hays, G. C.; Benvenuti, Silvano; Papi, Floriano
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11568/205774
 Attenzione

Attenzione! I dati visualizzati non sono stati sottoposti a validazione da parte dell'ateneo

Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 36
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 34
social impact