Genetic characterization of hawksbill juveniles foraging at Cape Verde islands indicates major undiscovered nesting populations in the region

[EN] The hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is a circumglobal tropical species listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. While it is known that at least one stock occurs around the rookeries of São Tome and Principe and Bioko Islands, the eastern Atlantic remains genetically unexplored. We present the first analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences (n = 28) of hawksbill juveniles in a foraging aggregation at the Cape Verde Islands, an archipelago located in the eastern Atlantic. The mean size (minimun curve carapace length) of the studied individuals was 42.45 cm.

Genetic characterization of eastern Atlantic hawksbill turtles at a foraging group indicates major undiscovered nesting populations in the region

[EN] Despite the considerable population genetic and connectivity research on the hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and the species being critically endangered, the eastern Atlantic remains understudied. We present the first analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences (n = 28) of hawksbill juveniles in a foraging aggregation at the Cape Verde Islands. Our results showed three haplotypes non-reported in any nesting population to date, with one of them accounting for 68% of the samples. These three haplotypes were closely related to each other but highly divergent from all known Caribbean and Western Atlantic haplotypes.

Phenotypically linked dichotomy in sea turtle foraging requires multiple conservation approaches

[EN] Marine turtles undergo dramatic ontogenic changes in body size and behavior, with the loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta, typically switching from an initial oceanic juvenile stage to one in the neritic, where maturation is reached and breeding migrations are subsequently undertaken every 2-3 years [1-3]. Using satellite tracking, we investigated the migratory movements of adult females from one of the world's largest nesting aggregations at Cape Verde, West Africa. In direct contrast with the accepted life-history model for this species [4], results reveal two distinct adult foraging strategies that appear to be linked to body size. The larger turtles (n = 3) foraged in coastal waters, whereas smaller individuals (n = 7) foraged oceanically.

Satellite tracking derived insights into migration and foraging strategies of male loggerhead turtles in the eastern Atlantic

[EN] In recent years, information about the movements and timing of migration by male sea turtles has begun to be unraveled. Here, we present the first satellite tracking of male loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) in the eastern Atlantic. Satellite linked transmitters were attached to five adult males, captured in the near shore waters off Boavista, Republic of Cape Verde. This archipelago hosts the single most important breeding site of loggerhead turtles in the eastern Atlantic.