Differential impact of marine debris ingestion during ontogenetic dietary shift of green turtles in Uruguayan waters

Vélez-Rubio, Gabriela M.; Teryda, N.; Asaroff, P.E.; Estrades, Andrés; Rodríguez, Diego H.; Tòmàs, Jesús

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.12.053

Cited by 37 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 68 publications

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“…Size class or life history stage appears to be an important factor in determining the probability or variability of plastic ingestion as in previous studies on green turtles, despite the low sample size of larger turtles 15,42 . In addition g/cm and g/kg give a true indication of differential ingestion across the size classes of turtle as body size is normalized, with smaller turtles in this study having higher values for both units and therefore a higher body burden of ingested debris 10,13 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 73%

“…It is important to note, however, that indirect ingestion of macroplastic through trophic transfer cannot be completely ruled out. Gelatinous macrozooplankton still make up a major component of the diet of neritic juvenile green turtles in the western Atlantic 15 . Macroplastic ingestion has been recently reported in such organisms providing potential trophic transfer of macroplastic pieces to marine turtles when prey is consumed suspended in the water column 41 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is thought to occur in at least 43% of cetacean species, 36% of the seabird species, many species of fish and has been reported in all species of marine turtle 7–10 . Plastics are the most commonly ingested of all anthropogenic debris; with a wide variety of items found inside necropsied sea turtles 11–15 . This has the potential to cause lethal effects from intestinal blockage and injury but additionally adverse sub-lethal effects such as dietary dilution, malnutrition and impaired immunity 9 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…When attempting to understand reasons for plastic ingestion it is important to consider the feeding ecology of marine turtles 11,15,19 . Consumption of plastic may be due to a failure of discrimination when mixed with normal dietary items.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Diet-related selectivity of macroplastic ingestion in green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the eastern Mediterranean

Duncan

Arrowsmith

Bain

et al. 2019

Sci Rep

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Understanding the drivers of key interactions between marine vertebrates and plastic pollution is now considered a research priority. Sea turtles are primarily visual predators, with the ability to discriminate according to colour and shape; therefore these factors play a role in feeding choices. Classification methodologies of ingested plastic currently do not record these variables, however here, refined protocols allow us to test the hypothesis that plastic is selectively ingested when it resembles the food items of green turtles ( Chelonia mydas ). Turtles in the eastern Mediterranean displayed strong diet-related selectivity towards certain types (sheet and threadlike), colours (black, clear and green) and shapes (linear items strongly preferred) of plastic when compared to the environmental baseline of plastic beach debris. There was a significant negative relationship between size of turtle (curved carapace length) and number/mass of plastic pieces ingested, which may be explained through naivety and/or ontogenetic shifts in diet. Further investigation in other species and sites are needed to more fully ascertain the role of selectivity in plastic ingestion in this marine vertebrate group.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 73%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Diet-related selectivity of macroplastic ingestion in green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the eastern Mediterranean

Duncan

Arrowsmith

Bain

et al. 2019

Sci Rep

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“…SIA has developed in the past two decades as a powerful tool to complement these traditional methods of studying diet and trophic ecology (see review by Haywood et al 2019). Analysis of the composition of stable isotopes (δ 13 C and δ 15 N) in tissues with different residence times provides historical evidence of diet and patterns of ontogenetic shift Cardona et al 2009;Vander Zanden et al 2013;Vélez-Rubio et al 2018). For example, blood serum represents food consumed recently and epidermal tissue or scutes represent the diet consumed several months previously (Reich et al 2008).…”

Section: Relative Merits and Constraints Of Diet Analysis Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A global review of green turtle diet: sea surface temperature as a potential driver of omnivory levels

et al. 2020

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To better understand dietary requirements, trophic shifts, and trophic interactions of the threatened green turtle (Chelonia mydas), we conducted a comprehensive global review and literature tabulation (177 studies) reporting diets of individuals > 25 cm carapace length. We analysed those studies involving natural sites and healthy animals that reported relative proportions of all diet components (67 studies, 89 datasets at 75 sites, 13 geographic sub-regions, 3 oceans). We compared diets by sub-region and foraging site relative to four diet components, i.e., seagrass, macroalgae, terrestrial plants (including mangroves) and animal matter. To assess sea surface temperature (SST) as an environmental driver, values were extracted from satellite data (single year) and site-specific observations (study durations) and examined relative to diet composition. Satellite data indicated that at warmer sites with temperatures > 25 °C (≥ 6 months annually), diet was predominantly herbivorous (mean = 92.97%; SE = 9.85; n = 69 datasets). At higher latitude sites and in cold-water currents with SST < 20 °C (≥ 6 months annually), dietary animal matter featured prominently (mean = 51.47%; SE = 4.84; n = 20 datasets). Site-specific observations indicated that SST had a small but significant effect on contributions of animal matter (r2 = 0.17, P = < 0.001) and seagrass (r2 = 0.24, P = < 0.001) but not macroalgae and terrestrial plants. Our study presents the first quantitative evidence at a global scale that temperature may be an important driver of omnivory, providing a new perspective on variations in green turtle diet, especially in light of global warming and climate change.

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Use of remote sensing tools to predict focal areas for sea turtle conservation in the south‐western Atlantic

Prosdocimi

Teryda

Navarro

et al. 2020

Aquatic Conservation

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Fisheries bycatch of non‐target species in the commercial fleet is a major source of anthropogenic injury and mortality for sea turtles and marine megafauna. The Río de la Plata maritime front (RLPMF) and its adjacent international waters – comprising part of the Argentine and Uruguayan exclusive economic zones, is a highly important fishing ground in the south‐western Atlantic Ocean as well as feeding and development grounds for sea turtles. This paper analyses the distribution of the bottom and pelagic trawling fishery within the RLPMF using information from Vessel Satellite Monitoring System. With this information, areas of highest trawling intensity were defined and further evaluated their overlap with sea turtle habitat‐use areas from available sea turtle satellite tracking information. Results besides identifying high‐susceptibility areas for sea turtle bycatch by the commercial trawler fleet along the RLPMF, provide predictive tools to identify vulnerable areas to interaction of sea turtles and the commercial fishing fleet. Implementation of bycatch mitigation measures, such as reduced fishing effort areas by the Argentine and Uruguayan fisheries management agencies has the potential to benefit the fisheries as well as marine megafauna. Furthermore, there is a need for additional research on the impact that this fleet can have on sea turtles present in the area.

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Differential impact of marine debris ingestion during ontogenetic dietary shift of green turtles in Uruguayan waters

Cited by 37 publications

References 68 publications

Diet-related selectivity of macroplastic ingestion in green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the eastern Mediterranean

Diet-related selectivity of macroplastic ingestion in green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the eastern Mediterranean

A global review of green turtle diet: sea surface temperature as a potential driver of omnivory levels

Use of remote sensing tools to predict focal areas for sea turtle conservation in the south‐western Atlantic

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