Files and links (2)
Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
From rookeries to foraging grounds: understanding regional connectivity and genetic diversity in hawksbill turtles
Frontiers in Marine Science, Vol.10, pp.1-12
2023
Related media
Expert Quote
Abstract
This study investigated the genetic structure, diversity, and migratory patterns of hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) from two nesting locations in Papua New Guinea (PNG) using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequencing and satellite telemetry. Tissue samples collected from nesting female hawksbill turtles (n=75) in PNG revealed a total of 6 haplotypes from the Conflict Group site and 5 haplotypes from Kavieng site, with the Conflict Group and Kavieng samples significantly differing from all other known Asia-Pacific stocks. This finding expands our understanding of the genetic stock structure of hawksbill turtles in the Asia-Pacific region, resulting in 9 Management Units (MUs) now published. Satellite tracking of 15 hawksbill turtles revealed that all individuals migrated from the Conflict Group westerly towards foraging areas in eastern Australia (93%) and PNG (7%). With a mean migration path distance of 1241 ± 108 km, three distinct migration strategies were used by the 10 hawksbill turtles that made it to their foraging grounds in the I) eastern Torres Strait, II) Far North Queensland, and III) western PNG waters. A broad scope of home-range strategies and sizes (95% UD) were used, and in comparison to other studies further postulates that hawksbills are connected to non-specific foraging grounds associated with food source availability. This study provides for the first time in PNG essential insights into hawksbill turtle population structure and connectivity in the western Pacific region, highlighting the importance of effectively conserving and managing this critically endangered species as distinct population stocks. Furthermore, we make recommendations for national and regional conservation strategies and transboundary management to ensure the long-term survival and recovery of western Pacific’s hawksbill turtle populations.
Details
- Title
- From rookeries to foraging grounds: understanding regional connectivity and genetic diversity in hawksbill turtles
- Authors
- Christine A Madden Hof (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringAmelia Desbiens (Author) - The University of QueenslandJeff Kinch (Author) - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United NationsNancy Fitzsimmons (Author) - Griffith UniversityHayley Versace (Author) - The Coral Islands Limited, Panasesa IslandAngelique Amon (Author) - Lissenung Resort IslandNathan McIntyre (Author) - Griffith UniversityKathy Townsend (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringMichael Jensen (Author) - Griffith University
- Publication details
- Frontiers in Marine Science, Vol.10, pp.1-12
- Publisher
- Frontiers Research Foundation
- Date published
- 2023
- DOI
- 10.3389/fmars.2023.1201009
- ISSN
- 2296-7745
- Copyright note
- © 2023 Madden Hof, Desbiens, Kinch, Fitzsimmons, Versace, Amon, McIntyre, Townsend and Jensen. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99744898902621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
55 File views/ downloads
172 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Environmental Sciences
- Marine & Freshwater Biology
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites