Coastal habitat degradation and green sea turtle diets in Southeastern Brazil
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Abstract
To show the influence of coastal habitat degradation on the availability of food for green turtles (Chelonia mydas), we assessed the dietary preferences and macroalgae community at a feeding area in a highly urbanized region. The area showed low species richness and was classified as degraded. We examined stomach contents of 15 dead stranded turtles (CCL = 44.0 cm (SD 6.7 cm)). The diet was composed primarily of green algae Ulva spp. (83.6%). In contrast, the macroalgae community was dominated by the green alga Caulerpa mexicana. We found a selection for red algae, seagrass and Ulva spp., and avoidance for C. mexicana and brown alga Dictyopteris delicatula. The low diversity of available food items, possibly a result of environmental degradation, likely contributed to the low dietary diversity. The nutritional implications of this restricted diet are unclear.
Suggested Citation
Santos, R.G., Martins, A.S., Farias, J.D., Horta, A.P., Pinheiro, H.T., Baptistotte, C., Seminoff, J.A., Balazs, G.H., Work, T.M., 2011, Coastal habitat degradation and green sea turtle diets in Southeastern Brazil: Marine Pollution Bulletin, v. 62, no. 6, p. 1297-1302, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.03.004.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Coastal habitat degradation and green sea turtle diets in Southeastern Brazil |
| Series title | Marine Pollution Bulletin |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.03.004 |
| Volume | 62 |
| Issue | 6 |
| Year Published | 2011 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Publisher location | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Contributing office(s) | National Wildlife Health Center |
| Description | 6 p. |
| First page | 1297 |
| Last page | 1302 |
| Country | Brazil |
| City | Vitoria |
| Online Only (Y/N) | N |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |