Armando J. B. Santos

Fifteen Years of Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) Nesting in Northern Brazil

ABSTRACT We present long-term data for hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) nesting in the 2 main rookeries in Brazil: 1) northern Bahia and Sergipe, where the estimated number of nests laid each year increased from 199 in the 1991–1992 nesting season to 1345 in the 2005–2006 season and 2) Rio Grande do Norte, where the estimated number of nests laid in the 2005–2006 season was around 185–475. Adding these results, we estimate that the number of hawksbill nests laid in the 2 main Brazilian nesting grounds in 2005–2006 was between 1530 and 1820 nests. Data on the percentage of hawksbill clutches kept in situ by season in each rookery are also presented. The apparent increasing trend in hawksbill nesting in northern Brazil is encouraging and seems to reflect a range of conservation measures implemented over the past 25 years.

The interplay of homing and dispersal in green turtles: A focus on the southwestern atlantic

Current understanding of spatial ecology is insufficient in many threatened marine species, failing to provide a solid basis for conservation and management. To address this issue for globally endangered green turtles, we investigated their population distribution by sequencing a mitochondrial control region segment from the Rocas Atoll courtship area (n = 30 males) and four feeding grounds (FGs) in Brazil (n = 397), and compared our findings to published data (n (nesting) = 1205; n (feeding) = 1587). At Rocas Atoll, the first Atlantic courtship area sequenced to date, we found males were differentiated from local juveniles but not from nesting females. In combination with tag data, this indicates possible male philopatry. The most common haplotypes detected at the study sites were CMA-08 and CMA-05, and significant temporal variation was not revealed. Although feeding grounds were differentiated overall, intra-regional structure was less pronounced. Ascension was the primary natal source of the study FGs, with Surinam and Trindade as secondary sources. The study clarified the primary connectivity between Trindade and Brazil. Possible linkages to African populations were considered, but there was insufficient resolution to conclusively determine this connection. The distribution of FG haplotype lineages was nonrandom and indicative of regional clustering. The study investigated impacts of population size, geographic distance, ocean currents, and juvenile natal homing on connectivity, addressed calls for increased genetic sampling in the southwestern Atlantic, and provided data important for conservation of globally endangered green turtles.

Ghrelin and leptin modulate the feeding behaviour of the hawksbill turtle Eretmochelys imbricata during nesting season

Female sea turtles rarely have been observed foraging during the nesting season. We investigated the levels of ghrelin, leptin and other physiological and nutritional parameters in nesting hawksbill sea turtles in Brazil. We found that levels of serum leptin (appetite-suppressing protein) decreased over the nesting season, while an increasing trend was observed in ghrelin (hunger-stimulating peptide). Both findings are consistent with the prediction that post-nesting females will begin to forage after the nesting season, , either during or just after their post-nesting migration.

Body Mass and the Energy Budget of Gravid Hawksbill Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) during the Nesting Season

Abstract Female Hawksbill Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) nesting along the southeast coastline of the state of Rio Grande do Norte Brazil (6°13′40″S, 35°03′05″W) were captured and weighed during the 2006–07 and 2007–08 nesting seasons. The mean value for the first postoviposition mass was 79.6 kg. Individuals that were subsequently recaptured showed a mean mass change of 1.6 kg in the interval between two consecutive postovipositions (i.e., after one internidal interval). We plotted the mass of the individuals against the curvilinear carapace length. An analysis of residual mass above average body condition reveals that females with good body condition start nesting at the beginning of the season. Preoviposition mass was measured when the female aborted the nesting process. Gross mass change was 5.46 kg. Mean body mass recovery was 3.2 kg. Body mass recovery was always significantly lower than the change in gross mass. This is in agreement with the observed mass loss tendency throughout the breeding season for this species. Mass recovery was analyzed using allometric law, converting both loss in body mass and total egg mass to energy. Using mean turtle body mass, we performed three scenarios for the metabolic maintenance rate of the Hawksbill Turtle during the nesting period. The energy that the turtles expended in egg laying was estimated at 1,183 kJ • d−1. The daily net mass loss for the most realistic scenario converted into energy was 4,213 kJ • d−1. The total daily energy consumption (maintenance plus egg production) was similar to the daily energy from mass loss. This theoretical treatment suggests that, under this scenario, there is no reason for significant extra energy intake during the oviposition period.

Association of CD4+/CD56+/CD57+/CD8+dim large granular lymphocytic leukemia, splenic B-cell lymphoma with circulating villous lymphocytes, and idiopathic erythrocytosis

Abstract. In this paper we report a rare association of a splenic marginal zone B-cell lymphoma with villous lymphocytes and a T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia coexpressing CD4 and CD8 as well as CD56 and CD57 natural killer-associated markers in an asymptomatic patient investigated because of an occasional finding of erythrocytosis and leukocytosis in routine blood analysis. We also discuss the possible reasons for this particular association.

Deeper Mitochondrial Sequencing Reveals Cryptic Diversity and Structure in Brazilian Green Turtle Rookeries

Abstract Genetic markers are often used to designate population units for management and conservation, but widespread sharing of mitochondrial DNA control-region haplotypes defined from short (< 500 base-pair [bp]) sequences often limits inferences of population connectivity in marine turtles. Haplotype CM-A8, defined from 490-bp sequences, dominated the haplotype profiles of the 3 major green turtle (Chelonia mydas) rookeries in Brazil. Previous analyses based on 490-bp haplotypes did not detect differentiation between the northern rookeries of Atol das Rocas and Fernando de Norohna, but did indicate differentiation of the northern rookeries from Trindade Island in the south. We reexamined the stock structure of the Brazilian green turtle rookeries using 817-bp control region and mitochondrial short tandem repeat (mtSTR) sequences. Nine 490-bp haplotypes were subdivided into 41 haplotypes by combining 817-bp and mtSTR sequences. Eight of the 14 CM-A8 turtles from Fernando de Noronha carried mtSTR haplotypes that were not detected in the larger rookeries. Pairwise exact tests indicated that the northern Brazilian green turtle rookeries of the Rocas Atoll and Fernando de Noronha are discrete populations with respect to female natal homing. Moreover, several apparently endemic markers in the 3 Brazilian green turtle nesting populations should improve resolution of future mixed-stock analyses. Comparable data are needed from green turtle rookeries in the central and eastern Atlantic to assess structure and connectivity at the ocean basin scale.

Individual Nest Site Selection in Hawksbill Turtles Within and Between Nesting Seasons

Abstract We analyzed 410 nest locations from 150 individual nesting hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) on the northeastern Brazilian coast during 8 nesting seasons from 2006 to 2014 to evaluate individual nesting preferences. We determined the consistency of nest site choice within and between nesting seasons for open sand and vegetation nest microhabitats and also for nest site distances from the current waterline, highest spring tide, vegetation line, and position along the beach. We found that behavioral consistency within seasons was more robust than between seasons. This suggests that a decrease in the consistency of nest site choice may be related to progressive landscape changes in the nesting environment, driving behavioral flexibility in nesting preferences.

How will changes in local climate affect hawksbill hatchling production in Brazil

Local climatic conditions can influence sea turtle embryonic development and hatchling viability. Therefore, it is crucial to understand these influences as well as potential ramifications to population stability under future climate change. Here, we examined the influences of five climatic variables (air temperature, accumulated and average precipitation, humidity, solar radiation, and wind speed) at different temporal scales on hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) hatchling production at ten nesting beaches within two regions of Brazil (five nesting beaches in Rio Grande do Norte and five in Bahia). Air temperature and accumulated precipitation were the main climatic drivers of hawksbill hatching success across Brazil and in Rio Grande do Norte, while air temperature and average precipitation were the main climatic drivers of hatching success at Bahia. Solar radiation was the main climatic driver of emergence rate at both regions. Conservative and extreme climate scenarios show air temperatures are projected to increase, while precipitation projections vary between scenarios and regions throughout the 21st century. We predicted hatching success of undisturbed nests (no recorded depredation or storm-related impacts) will decrease in Brazil by 2100. This study shows the determining effects of different climate variables and their combinations on an important and critically endangered marine species.

Insect Infestation of Hawksbill Sea Turtle Eggs in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Abstract We describe infestation of hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) nests by insects on Pipa beach in the municipality of Tibaudo Sul, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil in January and June 2011. The mean number of live hatchlings (83.96 ± 43.31) was higher in nests unassociated with vegetation, although it is important to consider that a number of parameters other than proximity to vegetation may also affect nest success.

Thinking better about high-quality science: a look at some ethical flaws and productivity evaluation.

Programa de Pos-graduacao em Ecologia e Conservacao, Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso – UNEMAT, Campus Universitario de Nova Xavantina, BR 158, Km 655, CP 08, CEP 78690-000, Nova Xavantina, MT, Brasil*e-mail: pedrov.eisenlohr@gmail.comReceived: October 1, 2013 – Accepted: March 11, 2014 – Distributed: December 31, 2014