Atlantic Leatherback Migratory Paths and Temporary Residence Areas
Publication Year: 2010
Authors: Sabrina Fossette · Charlotte Girard · Milagros López-Mendilaharsu · Philip Miller · Andrés Domingo · Daniel R. Evans · Laurent Kelle · Virginie Plot · Laura Prosdocimi · Sebastian Verhage · Philippe Gaspar · ean-Yves Georges
Abstract: Sea turtles are long-distance migrants with considerable behavioural plasticity in terms of migratory patterns, habitat use and foraging sites within and among populations. However, for the most widely migrating turtle, the leatherback turtle Dermochelys coriacea, studies combining data from individuals of different populations are uncommon. Such studies are however critical to better understand intra- and inter-population variability and take it into account in the implementation of conservation strategies of this critically endangered species. Here, we investigated the movements and diving behaviour of 16 Atlantic leatherback turtles from three different nesting sites and one foraging site during their post-breeding migration to assess the potential determinants of intra- and inter-population variability in migratory patterns.
