FIELD WORK MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES: IDENTIFICATION KEY, METHODS AND DATA COLLECTION FOR SEA TURTLES SEA TURTLES

OF URUGUAY SEASON 2011

Karumb - Tortugas Marinas del Uruguay, Avda. Gral. Rivera 3245, CP 11200, Montevideo, Uruguay Tel: 099 917811 Email: karumbemail@gmail.com , web: www.karumbe.org

INDEX INTRODUCTION.. LIFE CYCLE.. TAXONOMY.. IDENTIFICATION KEY SPECIES THAT INHABITS URUGUAYAN WATERS Green Turtle........................................................................................... Loggerhead............................................................................................ Leatherback........................................................................................... RARE SPECIES FOR URUGUAYAN WATERS Olive Ridley............................................................................................ Hawksbill................................................................................................ DATA COLLECTION METHODS Surveys.................................................................................................. Turtles capture....................................................................................... Sightings................................................................................................ Identification by applied metal tags........................................................ BIBLIOGRAPHY......................................................................................... ANEEX 1 Data collection sheet............................................................................. 1 1 4 5

6 7 9

11 12

13 16 16 16 18

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INTRODUCTION
Since more than 250 thousands years ago primitive reptiles, called Cotylosaurios, started a large evolutionary process. The solid carapace, where they could give refuge to their soft body, has been shaped by the accumulation of bone between the skin, joining the ribs, vertebraes and bone scutes. In this way, the first tortoises appeared in our planet. Thousand years after this, some tortoises species adopted totally terrestrial customs, while others left marshlands where they used to live, and conquer the oceans. This process took them to differentiate more and more from the tortoises. Sea turtles are considered highly derived morphologically and have many adaptations for life in the sea. Legs derived into paddle-shaped limbs, while the carapace took a hydrodynamic shape and the amount of bone was reduced. Nevertheless, because they keep being reptiles, they are characterized by having dry skin, covered with scales, they breathe with lungs, and their body temperature is regulated by environmental heat sources (Meylan and Meylan, 2000). Seven species are the only living members of what has been a large and diverse marine radiation of turtles, which includes: Loggerhead (Caretta caretta), Green (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), Kemps ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), Olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), Flatback (Natator depressus) and Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea). An eighth species, the Black turtle (Chelonia agassizii), is recognized as a separated specie by some biologists, still morphological and genetic data published shows that this specie could be a subspecies of Chelonia mydas (Chelonia mydas agassizii) (Pritchard and Mortimer, 2000). Sea turtles inhabit every oceans and seas of the world, from the Arctic to the South Atlantic. Hawksbills are the most tropical species, because rarely move off the Tropics. In the other hand, Leatherbacks are known to make forays into colder, sometimes polar, waters. With the exception of Kemps ridley and Flatback turtles, sea turtles are cosmopolitan in distribution. Kemps ridley is restricted principally to the Gulf of Mexico and Eastern coast of the United States, with some individuals occasionally found along the shores of the United Kingdom and Western Europe. Flatback is endemic to the Australian continental shelf (Pritchard and Mortimer, 2000).

LIFE CYCLE
Turtles life history can be organized into phases depending on their development and growth. They are characterized by having a large life cycle with late sexual maturity. Each life cycle phase (egg, embryo, hatchling, juvenile, adult) has particular characteristics. After the ovule has been fecunded by the spermatozoid, the egg developes in the females oviduct. The egg is almost spherical and weigths between 25 and 80 grams. The eggs are deposited in nests built by the females in tropical beaches. As eggs need to develope in terrestial environments, nests are always above sea tide. Depending on turtles species, average clutch sizes ranges from about 50 and 140 eggs.

Eggs remain buried between 20 and 100 cm in depht. Parents do not take care of the nests, being these incubated by the heat of the sand. Incubation last from 6 to 13 weeks and the eggs will develope successfully if the sand temperature remains between 23 and 33 C (73 and 91 Farenheit). Embryos, do not have chance to survive out of this temperature range. In sea turltes, sand temperature determines embryos sex. Hatchlings length ranges between 4 and 6 cm and weigth between 14 and 50 grams. Usually, hatchlings climb to the surface during nigth and get to the sea in a hurry. Once they get the water, they cross the wave line, and submerge inmediately. Guided by the magnetic field of the earth, they get to the open sea, and in this oceanic habitat, begin the cycle phase called losts years, which can last up to 10 years. These young juveniles remain associated with seaweed lines or drift lines, where they can find refuge and high densities of food. During this phase, turtles diet includes gelatinous organisms and a high variety of marine invertebrates larvaes. After several years, juveniles from most turtles species, leave the pelagic phase and migrate to shallow-water habitats. The age and size vary between species. Western Atlantic Loggerhead juveniles, for example, migrate to coastal habitats when they are well over 40 cm in length. Two are the species that are an exception to this pattern; Flatback (from Australian waters) remains in coastal waters and lack of a pelagic phase. In the other hand, Leatherbacks remain most of their life cylce in pelagic habitats except females while nesting (Meylan and Meylan, 2000). In areas where seasonal water temperature has high variations, juvenile sea turtles might effectuate migrations between different developmental habitats, avoiding cold temperatures that might trouble them and also cause death. Turtles can exhibit interesting feeding behaviors. Loggerheads, for example, dig on the marine ground searching for marine invertebrates, while Green turtles forage regularly over specific areas covered by algae remaining them in a high state of productivity. The shape of the rhamphotheci (keratinous beak of the upper and lower jaws) can be an indicator of what juveniles and adults sea turtles eat. Green turtle has a serrated and wide beak, efficient while foraging. Loggerhead turtle has a highly fortify and robust beak, effective in triturating hard-shelled preys. Leatherback is the only turtle that do not have rhamphotheci and the margins of the jaws are sharp and posses notches, which are useful for catching and tear to pieces jelly-fish.

After reaching sexual maturity, when the first reproductive season arrives, adults migrate to the vicinity of the nesting beaches. Usually turtles return to nest in the proximity where they were born. This phenomenon is known as philopatry or natal beach homing. Most populations reproduce at specific areas during certain periods of the year, among different reproductive seasons. Most species nest every 2 or 3 years, and one female nest several times, between 2 and 6, in the same season. The period between two nesting events last 10 days approximately and the duration of one nest takes 1 to 3 hours. Most turtles nest during the night.

When reproductive season finish, adults migrate, returning to their foraging grounds. Distances between foraging and reproduction sites can reach thousands of kilometres. Apparently, sea turtles do not have problems to locate different residence sites through the ocean basins. However, after decades of study, scientifics do not understand yet how they are able to follow this behaviour (Meylan and Meylan, 2000).

TAXONOMY Classe REPTILIA Subclass Anapsida Order TESTUDINES Suborder Cryptodira Family Cheloniidae Genus Chelonia Chelonia mydas - Green Turtle (Tortuga Verde) Genus Eretmochelys Eretmochelys imbricata - Hawsbill (Tortuga Carey) Genus Caretta Caretta caretta - Loggerhead (Tortuga Cabezona) Genus Lepidochelys Lepidochelys olivacea - Olive ridley (Tortuga Olivcea) Lepidochelys kempii - Kemps ridley Genus Natator Natator depressus - Flatback (Tortuga Aplanada) Family Dermochelyidae Genus Dermochelys Dermochelys coriacea - Leatherback (Tortuga Siete Quillas)

IDENTIFICATION KEY The following key is designed to identify subadult or adult turtles (Pritchard and Mortimer, 2000). 1. Leathery, scuteless black or spotted carapace, posteriorly pointed and with prominent longitudinal ridges; carapace length to about 180 cm; all oceans, temperate or tropical ................................................................................... Dermochelys coriacea 1'. Carapace hard with large scutes, rounded or elongate but not posteriorly pointed; carapace length less than 120 ................................................................................ see 2 2. Carapace wide and almost circular; head width to about 15 cm; dorsal coloration gray to olive-green, unmarked; maximum carapace length to about 70 cm ................................... see 3 2'. Carapace not so wide as to be almost circular; coloration variable; maximum carapace length to 120 cm .......... see 4 3. Carapace very flat and wide, coloration relatively light, juveniles gray, circular in outline; maximum carapace length 72 cm; Gulf of Mexico, eastern USA, vagrant of western Europe ............................................................................ Lepidochelys kempii 3'. Carapace relatively steep-sided, especially in eastern Pacific; typically dark olive; juveniles gray, circular in outline (similar to L. kempii); maximum carapace length 72 cm; Pacific, Indian and South Atlantic Oceans (Trinidad to Brazil; West Africa) ................................................................................................... Lepidochelys olivacea 4. Head very large (width up to 28 cm in adults); carapace broadest anteriorly, elongate, and posteriorly narrowed, with a hump at the fifth vertebral scute; color uniform reddish-brown; maximum carapace length 105 cm; usually temperate waters of all oceans, including Mediterranean and US Atlantic, occasionally in tropics. ..Caretta caretta 4'. Head not very large (width to 12-15 cm in adults); carapace not broadest anteriorly, lacking hump at fifth vertebral scute; color variable, carapace often boldly marked, typically with dark brown or black streaks, or plain olive; tropical seas .................. see 5 5. Head small, anteriorly rounded; carapace heart-shaped .................................... see 6 5'. Head either very narrow and anteriorly pointed or medium and broadly triangular; carapace either relatively narrow or broadly oval ................................................... see 7 6. Carapace smooth and wide (modest incurving above hind limbs), coloration variable but usually with radiating streaks, or spots in some large adults; maximum carapace length 120 cm; tropics and subtropics, all oceans ............................... Chelonia mydas 6'. Carapace typically narrowed by strong incurving above hind limbs, color almost black, plain or spotted; carapace length to 90 cm, usually less; eastern Pacific, with rare vagrants further west ..................................................... Chelonia sp. (Black turtle) 7. Head narrow, with pointed bird-like beak (head width to 12 cm); carapace relatively narrow and lacking upturned sides, often well marked, scute borders obvious and overlapping, posterior margin of carapace usually strongly serrated; carapace length to about 90 cm; tropical waters, all oceans ................................. Eretmochelys imbricata 7'. Head broadly triangular and relatively flattened (width to 15 cm); carapace broadly oval, very flat with upturned sides, without markings, scute borders often indistinct, and edges of shell smooth; carapace length to about 100 cm; tropical Australia .......................................................................................................... Natator depressus

SPECIES THAT INHABITS URUGUAYAN WATERS

Green Turtle Scientific Name: Chelonia mydas Common names: Tortuga Verde (Spanish); Tortuga Blanca (Spanish from Caribbean countries); Aruana, Suruana, Tartaruga Verde (Portuguese from Brazil); Tortue Verte (French); Suppenschildkrte (German). Characteristics: broadly oval carapace. With 4 pairs of lateral scutes, 5 central scutes and 25 small marginal scutes. Relatively small head, with 1 pair of prefrontal scales. With slightly serrated beak. They have a single claw on each flipper. Coloration in adults is very variable. Juveniles coloration is brown with radiating streaks. Head and limbs are dark grey, while underside is yellowish (Pritchard and Mortimer, 2000).

Global Geographic Distribution: Wide distributed along all tropical and subtropical seas, along shallow waters near the coast and insular areas. Adults from the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean remain between latitudes from 30 North to 25 South. Juveniles also inhabit foraging and developmental areas outside of this range (Pritchard and Mortimer, 2000). Habitat and Biology: This turtle inhabits coastal waters with abundance in algae and sea grass. This species while juvenile migrates to foraging and developmental areas thousands of kilometres away from nesting beaches. Usually these migrations are developed along coastal waters, although some populations have transoceanic migrations (for example from Ascension Island to Uruguayan coasts). The most important reproduction areas from America are located in Costa Rica (Tortuguero), Venezuela (Aves Island) and Brazil (Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas). Adult females return to nest every two years to the beaches where they were born. Reproduction involves courting behaviour and copulation in coastal waters near the nesting beaches. Females nest up to 5 times, with 1 week intervals, with average clutch sizes ranging between 80 and 150 eggs per nest. Hatchlings born 50 days after and its length is about 5 cm (Marquez, 1990). Despite hatchlings are carnivorous,

juveniles green turtles are herbivorous, and their diet includes coastal algae (LpezMendilaharsu et al., 2006). Size: Adult females large carapace length (LCC) is between 80 and 120 cm, weighting in average 120 kg. The global record belongs to a turtle from Ascension Island which length was 139,5 cm (LCC). Males are slightly smaller than females (Marquez, 1990).
Figure Skull and carapace bones in Chelonia mydas. A-C, lateral, dorsal and ventral views from the skull. D, dorsal bony carapace view. E, Bones of the plastron (Pritchard & Trebbau, 1984).

Uruguayan situation: Juvenile turtles that inhabit Uruguayan waters range in length from 30 to 60 cm (LCC). Although they are most frequently sight near rocky capes from the Departments of Rocha and Maldonado, in the Uruguayan east coast; they also inhabit the other departments along the Ro de la Plata and Atlantic Ocean coasts (Lpez-Mendilaharsu et al., 2003). The record for Uruguay is a male that stranded at the Locality of Punta del Diablo in the Department of Rocha in December, 2006 that reached 94,5 of LCC. Even though, this is the unique report of an adult Green turtle in Uruguayan waters. A large amount of turtles strand along the beaches, being the most frequent causes: interaction with recreational fishing, artisanal fisheries and sea pollution with plastic debris. Recently, juveniles with tumors, known as fibropapillomas, have been reported. This, are caused by a herpevirus not identified yet. This species is catalogued as Endangered by the IUCN (IUCN, 2010). Loggerhead

Scientific name: Caretta caretta Common names: Cabezona (Spanish from Uruguay, Argentina and Per); Tortuga Boba (Spanish from Chile and Spain); Caguama (Spanish in Central America); Avo de Aruana and Tartaruga Cabeuda (Portuguese from Brazil); Tortue Caouanne (French); Unechte Karettschildkrte (German). Characteristics: Carapace moderately broad, being approximately the 80% of the turtles length, with 5 pairs of lateral scutes, 5 central scutes and 25 to 27 marginal scutes. Large and broadly triangular head, with 2 pairs of prefrontal scales. Flippers are relatively short, with 2 claws on each forelimb. The dorsal coloration is primarily brown with occasional individuals retaining some tans or even black, while underside is yellow to orange (Pritchard and Mortimer, 2000).

Global Geographic Distribution: Wide distributed along shallow tropical and subtropical waters, with temperatures between 15 a nd 20 C. Occurrence of groups composed by juveniles inhabiting open seas have been reported (Pritchard and Mortimer, 2000). The limits of the distribution in South America are Arica, Chile, for the Pacific Ocean and Ro Negro, Argentina, for the Atlantic Ocean (Domingo et al., 2006). Habitat and Biology: Usually inhabits coastal areas from warm and temperate seas. This is the only species that nest successfully in subtropical areas. After nesting seasons, females migrate to distant foraging areas. Migratory routes are not clearly known, but they might follow the oceanic currents. Hatchling and juveniles are frequently associated to oceanic current convergence areas, for example Brazil current (warm) and Malvinas Current (cold) that converges in front of Uruguayan coasts. The most important nesting beaches from America are located in the United States of America (Florida, South Carolina), Mexico (Yucatn), Cuba and Brazil (Cear, Sergipe, Esprito Santo). Females nest between 2 and 5 times in the same season, laying an average of 500 eggs in the whole season. The shells of loggerheads often host large epibiont communities (organisms that live on their carapace, including algae, barnacles, mussels and columbus crabs). This species is carnivorous along all its life, being crabs, moluscs and fishes the most frequent preys (Dodd, 1988).
Figure Skull and carapace bones in Caretta caretta. A-C, lateral, dorsal and ventral views from the skull. D, dorsal bony carapace view. E, Bones of the plastron (Pritchard & Trebbau, 1984).

Size: Adult females Curve Carapace Length (LCC) is between 80 and 105 cm weighting in average 75 kg. The record for adult size is 120 cm LCC (Pritchard and Mortimer, 2000).

Uruguayan situation: Adults and subadults inhabit Uruguayan waters, between 50 and 100 cm LCC. The record was a specimen from La Coronilla, Department of Rocha that stranded in 2005 summer season that had 114 cm LCC. Its usual to find them along the continental shelf, but not along coastal waters. Eventually some specimens strand along the coast line. Preliminar studies indicate that this species is feeding in the marine bottom of Uruguayan waters. The food items found include several species of marine snails, crabs, and species of fishes that are usually discarded by the fisheries that operate in our waters (Estrades et al., 2007a). This species is catalogued as Endangered by the IUCN (IUCN, 2010). Leatherback

Scientific Name: Dermochelys coriacea Common Names: Tortuga Siete Quillas (Spanish, Uruguay); Tortuga Canal, Cana (Spanish, Colombia); Baula (Spanish, Costa Rica); Lad (Spanish, Mexico and Argentina); Tinglado (Spanish, Cuba); Tartaruga de Couro (Portuguese, Brazil); Tortue Luth (French). Characteristics: This species is one of the biggest reptiles of the whole world, only surpassed by some crocodiles species. This species is different from the other sea turtles in anatomic and physiologic characteristics. Particularly, has developed the ability of partial endothermic (capacity of maintaining body heat), what is possible because of the presence of a wide fat internal layer. Lacks of scales, scutes and claws. It has a reduced carapace, formed by a mosaic of little bones. Carapace surface is similar to leather, with several centimetres in wide, with 5 dorsal prominent longitudinal ridges (keels), 1 pair in the bridge area and 5 in the plastron. Dorsal coloration is predominantly black, with variable degrees of white or paler spotting, spots may be bluish or pink on neck and base of flippers and light pigment predominate ventrally. Forelimbs extremely long. Males are distinguished for its large tail, 15 cm larger than in females. Males and females have a characteristic pink spot on the dorsal side of the head (Pritchard and Mortimer, 2000).

Global Geographic Distribution: It Is the turtle most adapted to very cold waters. This adaptation is due to a thick fat internal layer that covers it. As a result, this species has the most extent geographical distribution with high number of reports (adult specimens) in austral and arctic areas, with temperatures between 10 and 20 C (50 and 68 Farenheit). Little information is available for the hatchlings distribution after leaving the nesting beaches. Juvenile stage is also little reported. Habitat and Biology: This species has oceanic habit, turning up in tropical coasts only during the reproductive season. Apparently, it travels drifting along all seas of the world looking for food. This turtle feeds on jelly-fish and tunicates (Achaval and Olmos, 1997). Occasionally crustaceans such as spider crabs (which juveniles inhabit inside certain species of jelly-fishes) (Lpez-Mendilaharsu et al., 2006), small fishes and algae can be accidentally eaten. Despite feeding near the superficial layers of the oceans, this turtle can submerge up to 1000 metres in depth. Through tagging and recapture techniques as well as other technologies like satellital tracking, information of the migratory routes is improving. In the Atlantic Ocean the most important nesting beaches are located in Surinam, French Guyana and Brazil (Espritu Santo). This species has nesting cycles of 2 or 3 years. Females lay eggs between 5 and 7 times within the same nesting season, with 10 days intervals. Clutch sizes average between 70 and 90 fertilized eggs together with a variable number of small eggs lacking of yolk called corales. Incubation varies between 50 and 74 days (Pritchard and Mortimer, 2000).
Figure Skull and carapace bones in Dermochelys coriacea. A-C, lateral, dorsal and ventral views from the skull. D, dorsal bony carapace view. E, Bones of the plastron (Pritchard & Trebbau, 1984).

Size: Leatherback is the biggest turtle in the whole world. Usually, it reaches 150 cm of LCC., and weights 700 kg (Lpez-Mendilaharsu et al., 2006). Morphometric data is very scarce for males and juveniles. The record is a male specimen that stranded in Gales, United Kingdom; which reached 256 cm of LCC and weighted 916 kg. Uruguayan situation: Usually adult and subadult specimens strand in Uruguayan beaches which length range between 125 and 150 m. of LCC. The biggest leatherback reported in Uruguay was an adult male found in Punta Carretas, Montevideo, in 1965; that reached a LCC of 210 cm. Its dramatic and massive declination is caused by incidental capture in the pelagic longline fisheries among all the oceans of the world (Domingo et al., 2006). Leatherbacks may also confuse plastic bags with jelly-fishes, becoming another threat that may cause the death of this animal because of the obstruction of the stomach and intestine. This species is catalogued as Critically Endangered by the IUCN (IUCN, 2010).

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RARE SPECIES FOR URUGUAYAN WATERS

Olive Ridley

Scientific name: Lepidochelys olivacea Common names: Tortuga Olivcea (Spanish, Uruguay); Golfina, Manila, Parlama (Spanish, Central America); Tortuga bastarda (Spanish, Spain); Tartaruga Oliva (Portuguese, Brazil); Tortue olivtre (French). Characteristics: Small turtle with triangular head. Short and wide carapace, with 5 to 9 lateral scutes, 5 to 9 central scutes and 12 to 14 marginal scutes. Carapace scutes are slightly overlapping in juveniles, and non-overlapping in adults. The dorsal coloration is mid to dark olive-green in adults, and the underside is cream yellow (Pritchard and Mortimer, 2000).

Global Geographic Distribution: This is a tropical species that inhabits mainly the Northern Hemisphere. Juveniles have been reported outside the 20 of latitude range during phenomenon of warm weather (El nio). These reports are more often in summer. This species has a generalist and opportunistic feeding behavioural, including molluscs such as bivalve and gastropods, crustaceans, fishes, jelly-fishes and marine algae (Achaval and Olmos, 1997). Size: Carapace length for mature specimens varies between 51 and 75 cm LCC, with an average of 67 cm (Marquez, 1990). Turtles lengh in Uruguay varies between 48 and 61 cm of LCC (Lpez-Mendilaharsu et al., 2006). Uruguayan Situation: Extremely rare for this latitude. Only 5 reports of the presence of this species are available for Uruguay. It was registered for the first time by Jack Frazier (American Biologist), at the Locality of Punta del Diablo in 1983. Recently, in 2004, 2 new specimens were incidentally captured in the area of Bajos del Solis, in

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the esturay of the Ro de la Plata. The unique stranding event for this species in Uruguay ocurred in Rocha laggon in April, 2006 (Lpez-Mendilaharsu et al., 2006). This species is catalogued as Vulnerable by de IUCN (IUCN, 2010). Hawksbill Scientific Name: Eretmochelys imbricata Common Names: Tortuga Carey (Spanish); Krayoea, Kulalashli (Caribean); Tartaruga imbricada, Tartaruga de pente (Portuguese, Brazil); Caret (French); Echte karettschildkrote (Germany). Characteristics: This is the only sea turtle that have carapace scutes imbricated. With 4 costal scutes, 5 central scutes and 11 marginal scutes. With 2 pairs of prefrontal scales, and 2 claws in each forelimb. Dorsal coloration is brown, dark to light, underside light yellow to white (Pritchard and Mortimer, 2000).

Global Geographic Distribution: This is the sea turtle with more tropical habits, distributed along Central Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and other seas from the Indopacific region. Nest between latitudes of 25 North and 30 South. Size: Adult females carapace length ranges between 53 and 90 cm (Straight carapace length, SCL). Carapace lengh in males can reach up to 85 cm (Marquez, 1990). Uruguayan Situation: Although juveniles have been reported at the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, before 2004 any hawksbill was reported in Uruguayan waters. The carapace of the photograph belongs to an specimen that was incientally captured by artisanal fishermen near Isla Verde, Department of Rocha, in the 90s. Recently, in 2007, a second juvenile Hawksbill was found stranded (dead) in the same area (Estrades et al., 2007b), while the first alive hawksbill was recorded in 2009. This species is catalogued as Critically Endangered by the IUCN (IUCN, 2010).

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METHODS FOR DATA COLLECTION

The aim of data collection is to increase the available scientific knowledge among sea turtles biology, in order to have the best background to determine the management plans to conserve them. Surveys Surveys are performed along the area comprised between the localities of Punta del Diablo and Barra del Chuy, with special emphasis on Cerro Verde area, and between the localities of Cabo Polonio and Punta del Diablo, with special emphasis on Barra de Valizas area. For stranded animals the recorded data is: Animal status: It is very useful to establish if the stranding event is recent or not. Thats why it is important to register the status. Data sheets (Annex 1) are standardized according with the following categories: 0 Live, 1 Fresh, 2 Fresh without eyes, 3 Losing scutes, 4 Without scutes, 5 Very decompose, 6 Bones. Data sheet also includes the shape of a turtle in order to draw which parts of the turtle have been lost.

Photographs: karumb Data Base.

Cause of death: It is very difficult to determine the cause of death in fresh turtles and still more in turtles with advance status of putrefaction. Though this data is very relative, some anomalies may indicate the probable cause of death. These anomalies include: discomposed at sea (remain bones), fished (with hook), drowned (entangled in fishing lines or swelled up with nets marks) or unknown. All other technicians considerations should be included in Observations. Sex: Sexual dimorphism is externally obvious in adult marine turtles, because males have longer tail than females and more conspicuous claws. Males tail extends largely behind the posterior margin of the carapace, while females tail slightly appears behind the posterior margin (Wibbels, 1999). This technique only can be applied in adult specimens (C. mydas > 90 cm, C. caretta > 80 cm and D. Coriacea > 150 cm). Among juveniles, sex determination must be
(Photograph: Wyneken 2001)

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effectuated by gonads observation (Work 2000; Wyneken, 2001). Stage: For each species stages or phases of the life cycle, are determined using as criteria the carapace length. These stages are: Adult, Subadult (late juvenile), Juvenile and Hatchling. Species identification: When it is not possible to identify the species at first sight, identification keys are used, also is important to take a photograph for an eventual consult. In case of founding bones, this should be collected and subsequently identified. Measurements: For Green, Loggerhead, Olive Ridley and Hawksbill (C. mydas, C. caretta, L. olivacea and E. Imbricata) we take three different curve measurements of the carapace (Fig. 1), with a flexible tape measure ( 1 mm). In turtles with cracked carapaces or missing parts of the shell, real length should be measured, including in observations an estimated error. These data are not included in the statistic analysis.

Fig.1. Measurements. A) Curve standard carapace length (LSC), B) Minimum curve carapace length (LMC), C) Curve carapace width (AC)

For Dermochelys coriacea curve carapace width is measured from the first to the seventh ridge crest, while the curve carapace length is measured from the nuchal notch to the posterior tip of the caudal peduncle (PC) allowing the tape to follow a natural position alongside the central ridge (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2. Measurements A) Curve carapace length (LCC) B) Curve carapace width (AC) C) Pink spot

PC must be observed in order to determine if it is complete or if it is broken (Fig. 3). This data is useful to determine the stage of the animal. If the PC are not complete, this measurement is not included for the statistical analysis.
Fig. 3. Caudal peduncle (PC). A) Complete PC, B) Broken PC.

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Tags and Scars: One of the most important activities of Marine Turtles Projects is identifying the animals with some king of tag. Turtles can be externally tagged in the limbs with metal tags (titanium or blends of metal like Monel or Inconel tags) and plastic tags or internally using PITs tags (Passive Integrated Transponder) that are inserted into the turtles tissue. Monel or Inconel tags should be used on the forelimbs, except in D. coriacea, species usually tagged on the hindlimbs what reduce the possibility of loosing the tag. We make an exhaustive external examination of all the flippers in order to detect tags or the possible presence of scars of tags. Natural marks: These are characteristics of each individual and could be the scales pattern on the head, scars, etc. One general photo of the animal is taken (Fig. 4) as well as photographs of interesting characters (sharks bites, supernumerary scutes, etc) (Huerta, 1998). As well as other projects in the word, we also take the photoidentification for Green and Leatherback turtles, following two different techniques:

1) Green head profiles (scales pattern) of the turtles is photoidenfied in order to be able to identify possible recaptured individuals with tag scars (Richardson, 1998), because the scales pattern of the head profile is unique for each individual. This photo must be taken with 0 respe ct the lateral side of the C turtle and including the photoidentification sheet (Fig. 4). 2) Leatherback we take one photograph of the pink spot on the dorsal side of the head, because the spot pattern is unique for each specimen (Fig. 4).

A)

B)

C)

Photograph: Karumb Data Base. Fig. 4. Natural marks. A) General photograph, B) Photoidentification, C) Pink spot

Weight: Live and dead fresh turtles are weighted using a spring scale ( 100 grams). Tumours and DNA: All the body must be exhaustive examined to identify possible presence of tumours. If tumors are found a sample shoud be collected in ethanol 75%. DNA sample is collected from all examined turtles and preserved in ethanol 75% in order to perform population analysis. Samples collection: Every time that it is possible these samples should be collected: Epibionts: These organisms must be totally removed and fixed in formalin 4 %. Humeral bone: For all dead specimens the right humeral bone must be collected for further growth studies. They must be preserved dry, cleaning them from other turtles tissues.

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Turtles capture
We capture Green turtles at Cerro Verde, Punta Coronilla and La Coronilla Islands, with an entanglement net (30 m x 2,5 m; mesh size: 36 cm) placed along these areas, next to the shore. The net is set manually from the beach at different times in the same day, and is continuously monitored until a turtle is captured. During night the nets are removed. These nets were specially manufactured to capture turtles between 30 and 60 cm of standard curve carapace length. One field sheet, Red Karumb, should be completed with the capture per effort unit (CPUE), date, place (Latitude and Longitude), hour when the net was settled, capture hours, etc. Once a turtle is captured, is taken to the beach. Turtles should not be picked up from the limbs. They should be carried holding them from both sides of the carapace. Next step is to start completing the data collecting sheet (Planilla Madre de Tortugas) (Annex 1). During the whole data collect period, turtle must stay at the shade and should be hydrated. General data and sampling collection: For each turtle we registered the data and collect the samples already detailed in Survey section.

Sightings
The sightings are performed at simple sight from three viewpoints (observatories) located on the Cerro Verde, from an altitude of about 25 meters above sea level: Verdoso Observatory, Rocoso Observatory and Zorro Observatory. The methodology consists on counting the number of turtles present in the area, evaluating activity patterns. In order to do this, we use the Planilla de Avistamientos. Sightings are performed during three hours in the morning, beginning at 9:00 AM and three hours in the afternoon, beginning at 3:00 PM; with sampling intervals of 5 minutes and sighting periods of 10 minutes. During these 10 minutes all turtles present in the area are counted. Every day abiotic variables are registered in the Planilla de Datos Abioticos including ambient and water temperature, wind, clouds, visibility, waves, etc.

Identification by applied metal tags

Before releasing a turtle, it must be identified with Inconel metal tags model 681c. These tags belong to the Sea Turtles National Tagging Program from Uruguay (PNMTM); and where donated by: Cooperative Marine Turltes Tagging Program (CMTTP) from Florida University, USA. Instructions for tagging (Fig. 5): - Put the tag inside the applicator. - Tags are applied on both forelimbs, in the second scale (proximal to the body). - Squeeze the applicator so the tag point pierces the flipper, and applying substantially grater force to drive the pint through the hole and make it bend over completely - Write down the number in the field sheet. Use correlative numbers, tagging always the left limb with the minor number.

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Fig. 5. Identification by applied metal tags. (Photos from: L. Belskis, Proyecto Karumb).

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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Achaval, F. & Olmos, A., 1997. Anfibios y Reptiles del Uruguay. Serie fauna N 1. Ed. Barreiro y Ramos S.A., Montevideo, Uruguay. 128 pp. Dodd, C.K. Jr., 1988. Synopsis of the Biological Data on the Loggerhead Sea Turtle Caretta caretta (Linnaeus 1758). Fish and Wildlife Service, U. S. Department of the Interior, Washington, DC. 110 pp. Domingo, A., Bugoni, L., Prosdocimi, L., Miller, P., Laporta, M., Monteiro, D.S., Estrades, A. y Albareda, D., 2006. El impacto generado por las pesqueras e las tortugas marinas en el Ocano Atlntico Sud Occidental. WWF Programa Marino para Latinoamrica y el Caribe, San Jos, Costa Rica. 72 pp. Estrades, A., Souza, G., Scarabino, F., Laporta, M., Miller, P., Rinderknecht, A. y Snchez, P., 2007a. Ecologa alimenticia de la tortuga cabezona (Caretta caretta) en la plataforma uruguaya: resultados preliminares. En: Estrades, A. (Ed), III Jornadas de Conservacin e Investigacin de Tortugas Marinas en el Atlntico Sur Occidental, Piripolis, Uruguay, pp. 3031. Estrades, A., Caraccio, M.N., Scarabino, F. y Caymaris, H., 2007b. Presencia de la tortuga carey (Eretmochelys imbricata) en aguas Uruguayas. En: Estrades, A. (Ed.). III Jornadas de Conservacin e Investigacin de Tortugas Marinas en el Atlntico Sur Occidental, Piripolis, Uruguay, pag. 51. Huerta, P., 1999. Fotoidentificacin: Un mtodo alternativo de marcaje de tortuga lad Dermochelys coriacea. Tesis de licenciatura. Campus Iztacala. Universidad Nacional Autnoma de Mxico. 70 pp. + Ilust. Lpez-Mendilaharsu M., Bauz A., Laporta M., Caraccio M.N., Lezama C., Calvo V., Hernndez M., Estrades A., Aisenberg A. y Fallabrino A., 2003. Review and Conservation of Sea Turtles in Uruguay: Foraging habitats, distribution, causes of mortality, education and regional integration. Final Report: British Petroleum Conservation Programme, 109 pp. Lpez-Mendilaharsu, M., Estrades, A., Caraccio, M.A., Calvo, V., Hernndez, M. y Quirici, V., 2006. Biologa, ecologa y etologa de las tortugas marinas en la zona costera uruguaya. En: Menafra, R. Rodrguez-Gallego, L., Scarabino, F. y Conde, D. (Eds.). Bases para la conservacin y el manejo de la costa uruguaya. VIDA SILVESTRE URUGUAY, Montevideo, pp. 247-257. IUCN, 2010. 2010 IUCN Red List of threatened species. International Union for the Conservation of Nature (www.iucnredlist.org). Marquez M, R., 1990. FAO species catalogue. Vol. 11: Sea turtles of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of sea turtle species known to date. FAO Fisheries Synopsis. N 125, Vol. 11. Roma, FAO. 81 pp. Meylan, A.B. y Meylan, P.A., 2000. Introduccin a la Evolucin, Historias de Vida y Biologa de las Tortugas Marinas. En: K. L. Eckert, K. A. Bjorndal, F. A. Abreu-Grobois, M. Donnelly (Eds). Tcnicas de Investigacin y Manejo para la Conservacin de las Tortugas Marinas. UICN/SSC Grupo de Especialistas en Tortugas Marinas. Publicacin N 4: pp 3-8. Pritchard, P.C.H. y Trebbau, P., 1984. Turtles of Venezuela. SSAR Contrib. Herpetol. n 2. 404 pp. Pritchard, P.C.H. y Mortimer, P., 2000. Taxonoma, Morfologa Externa e Identificacin de las Especies. En: K. L. Eckert, K. A. Bjorndal, F. A. Abreu-Grobois, M. Donnelly (Eds). Tcnicas de Investigacin y Manejo para la Conservacin de las Tortugas Marinas. UICN/SSC Grupo de Especialistas en Tortugas Marinas. Publicacin N 4: pp 23-41. Richardson, A., Herbst, L., Bennett, P. and Keuper, U., 1998. Photo-Identification of Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles. pp. 116-117. In: L. Sarti, A. Barragan, C. Suarez, G. Ramirez, and A. Abreu. (Compilers.) Proceedings of the 18th International Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. Mazatln, Sinaloa, Mxico. Work, T.M. 2000. Manual de necropsias de Tortugas Marinas para Bilogos en Refugios o reas Remotas. U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, NATIONAL WILDLIFE HEALTH CENTER, HAWAII FIELD STATION. Wyneken, J. 2001. The Anatomy of Sea Turtles. US. Department of Commerce. NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-SEFSC-470, Miami Fl. 172 pp.

ANEEX 1 18

Data collecting sheet

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