conservation and ecology of marine reptiles mare 490 dr. turner summer 2012
DESCRIPTION
Conservation and Ecology of Marine Reptiles MARE 490 Dr. Turner Summer 2012. Reptilian Origins. Mammalia. Aves. Reptilia. Class Reptilia. Order Chelonia – marine turtles Order Squamata – marine snakes and iguanas Order Crocodilia – saltwater crocodile. Class Reptilia. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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Conservation and Ecology of Marine Reptiles
MARE 490Dr. Turner
Summer 2012
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Mammalia
Reptilian OriginsAves Reptilia
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Class Reptilia
Order Chelonia – marine turtles
Order Squamata – marine snakes and iguanas
Order Crocodilia – saltwater crocodile
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Class Reptilia6,000 living species of reptiles
(lizards, snakes, turtles, crocodiles)
Dry skin covered with scales (prevent H20 loss)
Air breathing
Marine taxa include sea turtles, sea snakes, marine iguana, and saltwater crocodile
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Marine TurtlesMarine turtles tied to terrestrial environment for oviposition - process of laying eggs
Other Aquatic Reptiles: iguanas, crocodilians, ichthyosaurs - tail undulation for locomotion
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Marine TurtlesMarine turtles: lost capacity of tail undulation
Developed shortened, rigid body form & corselet (breastplate)
Limbs required profound modification from terrestrial existence
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Limb ModificationForelimbs modified into paddles: - elongate phalanges enmeshed in a continuous matrix of tough connective tissue
Foreclaws reduced to three on each limb
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Order Chelonii2 Families: Cheloniidae & Dermochelyidae
7 or 8 species found throughout 3 tropical Oceans
3 species have restricted distribution: Flatback – northern Australia Kemp’s ridley – Gulf of Mexico, N. Atlantic Black sea turtle – eastern Pacific
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Order CheloniiTurtles & tortoises – monophyletic group or clade
“Pseudoturtle” Placochelys
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Order CheloniiCretaceous – 4 families: Toxichelyidae Protostegidae Cheloniidae Dermochelyidae
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Order Chelonii
- Extinct
- Extant
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Family ToxichelyidaeSmall/medium sized, broad-shelled marine turtles - diverged from Cheloniidae
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Family ProtostegidaeA group of large to gigantic turtles - Rhinochelys sp.Parallels with dermochelyidae
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Family Protostegidae
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Order Chelonii
- Extinct
- Extant
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Family CheloniidaeShell covered in horny scutesVariable in numberTypically 5 pairs on carapace; 6 of plastron
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Family DermochelyidaeReduction in bones of the carapace & plastronNo scutes
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Cheloniid DiversityAt one point – 31 genera5 extant:
Chelonia sp.Eretmochelys sp.Lepidochelys sp.Caretta sp.Natator sp.
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Genus CheloniaDescription: 4 pairs of lateral, non-overlapping scutes
2 extant species:Chelonia mydasChelonia agassizii
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Genus CheloniaChelonia mydas: 4-pairs lateral scutes, 1 pair prefrontal scales, non-overlapping scutes, round head, serrated jaw; to 230kg, shell 125cm
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Family CheloniidaeChelonia mydas – green sea turtle
Herbivore Fibrilopapilloma – 49-92%Nest French Frigate Shoals≈1,000 females
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Family CheloniidaeChelonia mydas – green sea turtle
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Major Nesting Areas
C. mydas
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Genus CheloniaChelonia agassizii: 4-pairs lateral scutes, 1 pair prefrontal scales, non-overlapping scutes, round head, serrated jaw; to 230kg, shell 125cm
Black pigmentationRestricted to E. Pacific
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Family CheloniidaeChelonia agassizii – black sea turtle
Pacific coast of S. America
4 pairs of non-overlapping lateral scutes
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Family CheloniidaeChelonia agassizii – black sea turtle
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Major Nesting Areas
C. agassizii
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Genus EretmochelysDescription: 4 pairs of lateral, overlapping scutes
1 extant species:Eretmocheyls imbricata
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Genus EretmochelysEretmocheyls imbricata: 4-pairs lateral scutes, 2 pairs prefrontal scales, overlapping scutes, pointed head, overbite; to 85kg, shell 95cm
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Family CheloniidaeEretmocheyls imbricata – Hawksbill sea turtle
Shell highly prized; $100/lbUntil 1992 – 20 net tons/JapanNests on beaches of Hawaii
4 pairs of overlapping lateral scutes
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Family CheloniidaeEretmocheyls imbricata – Hawksbill sea turtle
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Major Nesting Areas
E. imbricata
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Genus LepidochelysDescription: 5-6+ lateral scutes, round carapace
2 extant species:Lepidocheyls olivaceaLepidocheyls kempi
Olive Kemp’s
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Genus LepidochelysLepidocheyls olivacea: 6+-pairs lateral scutes, carapace nearly circular, 4 bridge scutes with pores, juvenile-charcoal, adult-olive green; to 45kg, shell 70cm
Restricted to tropical waters
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Family CheloniidaeLepidocheyls olivacea – Olive ridley sea turtle
Widely DistributedDoing fairly wellRarely found around Hawai′i
6+ pairs of non-overlapping lateral scutes
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Family CheloniidaeLepidocheyls olivacea – Olive ridley sea turtle
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Major Nesting Areas
L. olivacea
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Genus LepidochelysLepidocheyls kempi: 5-6 pairs lateral scutes, carapace very round, 4 bridge scutes with pores, juvenile-charcoal, adult-grey-green; to 45kg, shell 70cm
5-6
Restricted to Gulf of Mexico & S. Atlantic
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Family CheloniidaeLepidocheyls kempi – Kemp’s ridley sea turtle
Most critically Endangered1947-42,000 ♀; 1980’s -1,000♀Shrimp trawl bycatch
5 pairs of non-overlapping lateral scutes
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Family CheloniidaeLepidocheyls kempi – Kemp’s ridley sea turtle
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Major Nesting Areas
L. kempi
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Genus CarettaDescription: 5-6 lateral scutes, carapace longer than wide
1 extant species:Caretta caretta
Loggerhead Kemp’s
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Genus CarettaCaretta caretta: 5-6 pairs lateral scutes, carapace longer than wide, 3 bridge scutes with no pores, broad head, red to red-brown; to 200kg, shell 120cm
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Family CheloniidaeCaretta caretta – Loggerhead sea turtle
Nests in S. Japan – only in N. Pacific; prevalent in Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic
5 pairs of non-overlapping lateral scutes
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Family CheloniidaeCaretta caretta – Loggerhead sea turtle
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Major Nesting Areas
C. caretta
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Genus NatatorDescription: 4 pairs of lateral, non-overlapping scutes;
1 extant species:Natator depressus
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Genus NatatorNatator depressus: 4-pairs lateral scutes, 1 pair prefrontal scales, non-overlapping scutes, round head, serrated jaw; to 90kg, shell 100cm
Dorso-ventrally flattened
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Family CheloniidaeNatator depressus – Flatback sea turtle
Australia – limited range
4 pairs of non-overlapping lateral scutesThin, smooth, & waxy
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Family CheloniidaeNatator depressus – Flatback sea turtle
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Major Nesting Areas
N. depressus
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Dermochelyid DiversitySingle extant species shows very little geographic variability - probably no subspecies exist
However discussion of named populations
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Genus DermochelysDermochelys coriacea: Flexible, tapered, & leathery carapace, 5 distinct ridges, no scutes, jaw deeply notched; to 500kg, shell 180cm
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Family DermochelyidaeDermocheyls coriacea – Leatherback sea turtle
20,000-30,000 WorldwideCaught in longlines; jellyfishSighted offshore Kona
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Family DermochelyidaeDermocheyls coriacea – Leatherback sea turtle
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Major Nesting Areas
D. coriacea
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Current Taxonomic Questions1. What subfamilies should be recognized?2. Correct placement of flatback?3. Relationship within Lepidochelys4. Status of black turtle in eastern Pacific
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Subfamilies?Probably notComplex history of OrderMore work to be done within families
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Flatback TurtleWhat is the correct placement of the flatback?
Originally Chelonia depressa
Shows characteristics of both Chelonia & Lepidochelys
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Systematic ControversiesNatator depressus – Taxonomic Assignment?
Originally Chelonia depressa
Actually more closely aligned with Caretta & Lepidochelys – both carnivorous
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Relationship Between RidleysSlight external difference between juveniles
- only color patterns
Kemp’s Ridley Olive Ridley
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Relationship Between RidleysGenetics - differences to species level
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Systematic ControversiesRidleys? Believe it or not!
Readily distinguished by color but not morphometrically
Atlantic and Pacific species probably isolated due to formation of Isthmus of Panama – caused large changes in recent speciation (e.g. walrus, bottlenose dolphins, etc.
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Systematic ControversiesDermocheyls coriacea – Ancient lineage?
Distinguished from other turtles by: skeletal features partial endothermy modified external morphology
Molecular evidence indicates that leatherbacks represent an early offshoot of the lineage that gave rise to extant marine turtles
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Eretnochelys imbricata – Origin of unusual diet?
Appears to have arisen from a carnivorous ancestor
Genus closely aligned with Caretta & Lepidochelys – both carnivorous
“So, you think you’re sponge-worthy?” - Elaine Benice
Systematic Controversies
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Systematic ControversiesMarine Turtle Hybrids – Turtle Bastards?
Loggerhead female – Green maleLoggerhead female – Hawksbill maleKemp’s Ridley female – Loggerhead maleGreen female – Hawksbill male
May be oldest vertebrate lineages known to hybridize in nature
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Why Do We Care?“Well, that's why I asked. That's how you learn, by asking.. you dumbass.” - Carl Carlson
Population/species level distinction is critical for efficient management practices
International, National, State regulations
Cultural uses
Economic implications