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Rev. biol. mar. oceanogr. 52(2): 375-385 http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-19572017000200016Article |
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Spatial and temporal distribution of sea turtles related to sea surface temperature and chlorophyll-a in Mexican Central Pacific waters |
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Karen M. Zepeda-Borja1, Christian D. Ortega-Ortiz1*, Ernesto Torres-Orozco1 and Aramis Olivos-Ortiz2 |
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1Facultad de Ciencias Marinas, Universidad de Colima, Carretera Manzanillo-Barra de Navidad km 20, Col. El Naranjo, C.P.28860, Manzanillo, Colima, México
2Centro Universitario de Investigaciones Oceanológicas, Universidad de Colima, Carretera Manzanillo-Barra de Navidad km 20, Col. El Naranjo, C.P.28860, Manzanillo, Colima, México
*This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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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.
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Key words: Sea turtles, distribution, oceanographic parameters, cyclonic gyre, upwelling |
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