Journal article
Intra-specific variation in skull morphology of juvenile Chelonia mydas in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean
Marine Biology, Vol.165(10), pp.1-12
10/2018
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Abstract
The genetic diversity and skull morphology of juvenile Chelonia mydas recruited to the southwestern Atlantic were evaluated to quantify intraspecific variation in the skull shape and size related to (1) broad geographic origin and (2) age (within the most abundant haplotype). 155 C. mydas stranded at 25o S in Brazil were sampled, with 108 assessed for haplotypes (mtDNA) and 102 aged. The hypothesis of no effects of intrinsic variables on the morphology of three skull views was evaluated via 2D geometric morphometrics. Mixed stock analyses identified ten haplotypes among 12 nesting sites, with Ascension Island dominant (65%), then Suriname (10%) and Sao Tome (9%). Compared to CM-A8 (southern Atlantic and west African haplotype) individuals, those assessed as CM-A5 (northern Atlantic and southern Caribbean haplotype) consistently had different skull shapes, which might affect physiology and behaviour. Within CM-A8, there was a positive relationship between centroid size and age (3–5 years), and differences in ventral shape, possibly attributed to ontogenetic diet shifts. The clear morphological differences between haplotypes could imply evolutionary consequences for genetic diversity and trophic polymorphism if there is increased future bias towards CM-A8 (owing to fewer anthropogenic impacts during/post hatching). Conserving priority Caribbean nesting grounds during regional management initiatives might protect phenotypic variability and ultimately population diversity and resilience.
Details
- Title
- Intra-specific variation in skull morphology of juvenile Chelonia mydas in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean
- Creators
- Valéria F Coelho - Hospital de Clínicas Universidade Federal do ParanáCamila Domit - Hospital de Clínicas Universidade Federal do ParanáMatt K Broadhurst - New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (Coffs Harbour)Laura Prosdocimi - Programa Regional de Investigación y Conservación de Tortugas Marinas de la Argentina, PRICTMA Buenos Aires ArgentinaHideaki Nishizawa - Kyoto UniversityFernanda S Almeida - Universidade Estadual de Londrina
- Publication Details
- Marine Biology, Vol.165(10), pp.1-12
- Publisher
- Springer; Berlin/Heidelberg
- Grant note
- This study was financially supported by the Fundação Grupo O Boticário and Fundação Araucária (Projeto ProTarta). Valéria Coelho received a grant from Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) between 2013 and 2015.
- Identifiers
- 991012927060002368
- Copyright
- © Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2018
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering; Science; National Marine Science Centre
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article