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Non-migratory breeding by isolated green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the Indian Ocean: biological and conservation implications

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Abstract

Green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) are renowned for their long-distance migrations but have less fame for short-distance migrations or non-migratory behavior. We present satellite telemetric evidence from Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Indian Ocean for the first predominantly non-migratory green sea turtle (C. mydas) population. The mean migration distance from the nesting beach to the foraging grounds was 35.5 km with a maximum mean transit time of 3.4 days. The behavior of this population has major implications for our general understanding of green turtle behavior and their life cycle and for conservation. Firstly, these results indicate a level of juvenile or adult non-breeding homing behavior from the open ocean to foraging grounds adjacent to their natal nesting beach. Secondly, a non-migratory breeding phase reduces the consumption of reproductive energy utilized, potentially resulting in higher fecundity for this population. Thirdly, the close proximity of the nesting and foraging habitats allows for uniformity in management and conservation strategies rarely possible for wide-ranging green turtle populations.

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Acknowledgements

All procedures were conducted under Animal Ethics Approval from Charles Darwin University, Darwin and in association with the Parks Australia, Australian Government. Funding for this project was provided by Natural Heritage Trust and Parks Australia, Australian Government. We would like to thank Shane Penny for comments on the manuscript. The manuscript was improved by comments of three reviewers including Graeme Hays and two anonymous reviewers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biomarine International, P.O. Box 376u, Darwin, NT, 0815, Australia

    Scott D. Whiting & Andrea U. Koch

  2. Parks Australia, Department of Environment and Water Resources, West Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Western Australia, 6799, Australia

    Wendy Murray, Ismail Macrae, Robert Thorn & Mohammad Chongkin

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  1. Scott D. Whiting
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  3. Ismail Macrae
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Correspondence to Scott D. Whiting.

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Whiting, S.D., Murray, W., Macrae, I. et al. Non-migratory breeding by isolated green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the Indian Ocean: biological and conservation implications. Naturwissenschaften 95, 355–360 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-007-0327-y

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