Skip to main content
WCS
Menu
Library
Library Catalog
eJournals & eBooks
WCS Research
Archives
Research Use
Finding Aids
Digital Collections
WCS History
WCS Research
Research Publications
Science Data
Services for WCS Researchers
Archives Shop
Bronx Zoo
Department of Tropical Research
Browse By Product
About Us
FAQs
Intern or Volunteer
Staff
Donate
Search WCS.org
Search
search
Popular Search Terms
WCS History
Library and Archives
Library and Archives Menu
Library
Archives
WCS Research
Archives Shop
About Us
Donate
en
fr
Title
Tracking juvenile Hawksbill Turtles at Lighthouse Reef Atoll, Belize
Author(s)
Jackson, J.;Lewis, J.;Graham, R;.;Godley, B.
Published
2010
Publisher
B.C.G. Testudo
Abstract
As a marine biodiversity hotspot (Roberts et al., 2002) and a ‘Global 200’ conservation priority area (Olson & Dinerstein, 1998), the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (MBRS) is an economically and ecologically important zone for both Belize and the Caribbean region as a whole. The MBRS encompasses essential habitats for a range of endangered and critically endangered marine species. These include several important foraging and breeding grounds for critically endangered hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), the focal species of this study. It is widely accepted that after a long pelagic period, juvenile hawksbill turtles of approximately 20-25cm CCL (curved carapace length) inhabit a foraging ground, usually on or near coral reefs (Carr, 1987), where they may reside until migrating to adult nesting grounds which could be hundreds of kilometres away (Bowen et al., 1996; 2007). Developing our understanding of how hawksbills use these different habitats will help conservation planners in the long-term management of marine turtle populations.
Access Full Text
A full-text copy of this article may be available. Please email the
WCS Library
to request.
Back
PUB14021