Spatial and temporal distribution of sea turtles related to sea surface temperature and chlorophyll-a in Mexican Central Pacific waters

In this study we describe the spatial and temporal distribution of sea turtles and their association with oceanographic parameters in waters of the Mexican Central Pacific (MCP) during 2010 (winter, spring and autumn). Our results showed variations in sea turtle distribution through the sampling yea...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inRevista de biología marina y oceanografía Vol. 52; no. 2; pp. 375 - 385
Main Authors Zepeda-Borja, K M, Ortega-Ortiz, C D, Torres-Orozco, E, Olivos-Ortiz, A
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Vina del Mar 2017
Subjects
Animal population
Aquatic animals
Aquatic reptiles
Coastal zones
cyclonic gyre
distribución
distribution
giro ciclónico
Lepidochelys olivacea
Marine
oceanographic parameters
parámetros oceanográficos
Sea turtles
surgencia
Tortugas marinas
upwelling
ISE, Mexico
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Summary:In this study we describe the spatial and temporal distribution of sea turtles and their association with oceanographic parameters in waters of the Mexican Central Pacific (MCP) during 2010 (winter, spring and autumn). Our results showed variations in sea turtle distribution through the sampling year. Sea turtle distribution was homogeneous in coastal and oceanic areas during winter; there was an association with thermal fronts generated by a current of cold water flowing from the northwest and a warm current coming from the south, as well as with the boundaries of a cyclonic gyre. Sea turtles were distributed in the coastal zone and the central part of the oceanic zone in spring, where the effects of a cyclonic gyre and coastal upwelling prevailed. The same distribution trend was recorded at the beginning of autumn, whereas oceanographic characteristics changed during the second sampling week, when upwelling occurred. Mating events were only recorded in autumn for olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea), the dominant species in the region. It was concluded that sea turtles were distributed in the coastal zone of MCP waters in autumn due to reproductive activities, whereas in winter and spring sea turtles were distributed towards the central/oceanic region, potentially related to foraging activities.
ISSN:0717-3326
0718-1957
DOI:10.4067/S0718-19572017000200016