@article{fuentes_santos_abreu-grobois_briseno-duenas_al-khayat_hamza_saliba_anderson_rusenko_mitchell_et al._2023, title={Adaptation of sea turtles to climate warming: Will phenological responses be sufficient to counteract changes in reproductive output?}, ISSN={["1365-2486"]}, DOI={10.1111/gcb.16991}, abstractNote={AbstractSea turtles are vulnerable to climate change since their reproductive output is influenced by incubating temperatures, with warmer temperatures causing lower hatching success and increased feminization of embryos. Their ability to cope with projected increases in ambient temperatures will depend on their capacity to adapt to shifts in climatic regimes. Here, we assessed the extent to which phenological shifts could mitigate impacts from increases in ambient temperatures (from 1.5 to 3°C in air temperatures and from 1.4 to 2.3°C in sea surface temperatures by 2100 at our sites) on four species of sea turtles, under a “middle of the road” scenario (SSP2‐4.5). Sand temperatures at sea turtle nesting sites are projected to increase from 0.58 to 4.17°C by 2100 and expected shifts in nesting of 26–43 days earlier will not be sufficient to maintain current incubation temperatures at 7 (29%) of our sites, hatching success rates at 10 (42%) of our sites, with current trends in hatchling sex ratio being able to be maintained at half of the sites. We also calculated the phenological shifts that would be required (both backward for an earlier shift in nesting and forward for a later shift) to keep up with present‐day incubation temperatures, hatching success rates, and sex ratios. The required shifts backward in nesting for incubation temperatures ranged from −20 to −191 days, whereas the required shifts forward ranged from +54 to +180 days. However, for half of the sites, no matter the shift the median incubation temperature will always be warmer than the 75th percentile of current ranges. Given that phenological shifts will not be able to ameliorate predicted changes in temperature, hatching success and sex ratio at most sites, turtles may need to use other adaptive responses and/or there is the need to enhance sea turtle resilience to climate warming.}, journal={GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY}, author={Fuentes, M. M. P. B. and Santos, A. J. B. and Abreu-Grobois, A. and Briseno-Duenas, R. and Al-Khayat, J. and Hamza, S. and Saliba, S. and Anderson, D. and Rusenko, K. W. and Mitchell, N. J. and et al.}, year={2023}, month={Oct} }
 @article{turkozan_yilmaz_almpanidou_godfrey_mazaris_2023, title={Thermal conditions of green turtle (Chelonia mydas) nests in the largest rookery in the eastern Mediterranean}, volume={50}, ISSN={["1613-4796"]}, DOI={10.3354/esr01219}, abstractNote={Climate change impacts on vertebrates have many implications. The thermal conditions of vertebrates during incubation are known to influence morphological, physiological, and behavioral traits. Thus, incubation temperatures have consequences for ecological and evolutionary processes, and for certain reptiles can determine sex. For oviparous reptiles, information on the thermal environment of nests is often used to estimate sex ratio, metabolic heat, and their effects on hatching success. This critical baseline information is not always available for all species in all regions, hampering our ability to design analyses that could direct future management and conservation actions. Such is the case for green turtles in the Mediterranean, which nest at many different sites but few of which have had their thermal environment documented in detail. We recorded temperature in 225 green turtle nests (between 2009 and 2013) and 12 control sites in the sand (15, 30, and 45 m distance from high tide line between 2010 and 2013) at 75 cm depth at Akyatan beach, Turkey. The mean temperature of the nests ranged from 28.4 to 33.5°C, and those experiencing high temperatures exhibited low hatching success. The observed thermal environment within the nests exhibited a narrow range relative to the control sites, with daily temperature fluctuations in nests ranging from 0.1°C up to 4.5°C. The nest temperature was strongly negatively correlated with incubation duration, while metabolic heating was highest in the last third of the incubation duration, and was significantly correlated to clutch size.}, journal={ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH}, author={Turkozan, Oguz and Yilmaz, Can and Almpanidou, Vasiliki and Godfrey, Matthew H. and Mazaris, Antonios D.}, year={2023}, month={Feb}, pages={63–73} }
 @article{avens_ramirez_goshe_clark_meylan_teas_shaver_godfrey_howell_2021, title={Hawksbill sea turtle life-stage durations, somatic growth patterns, and age at maturation}, volume={45}, ISSN={["1613-4796"]}, DOI={10.3354/esr01123}, abstractNote={Sea turtles exhibit complex life histories, encompassing intermittent use of multiple spatially separated habitats throughout long lifespans. This broad scope presents challenges for collecting comprehensive biological and ecological data, yet absence of such information complicates evaluation of management strategies for populations at risk of extinction. Hawksbill sea turtles Eretmochelys imbricata are endangered worldwide, primarily due to long-term, directed harvest. However, available information regarding life stage durations, somatic growth patterns, and maturation attributes to enhance understanding of anthropogenic impacts and recovery potential remains constrained. To address these data gaps in the western North Atlantic, we conducted skeletochronological analysis for hawksbills stranded along US coastlines to generate straight-line carapace length (SCL)-at-age and somatic growth data. Generalized additive mixed models and bootstrapped von Bertalanffy growth curves were used to characterize age at maturation and covariate influence on somatic growth. For a subset of turtles, annual bone growth increment-specific stable isotope and trace element analyses were incorporated to evaluate habitat use relative to age. Integration of these data sources indicated that juveniles transitioned from oceanic to neritic habitat at 1-3 yr old and mean SCLs of 23-24 cm (range 15.7-35.0 cm). Initial ages at maturation for this population at minimum nesting female SCLs were estimated at 15-25 yr. Somatic growth varied significantly relative to size, age, and stranding location, while no association with sex or calendar year was observed. Our results demonstrate the utility of these complementary analytical approaches for generating baseline data fundamental to characterizing hawksbill sea turtle population attributes.}, journal={ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH}, author={Avens, Larisa and Ramirez, Matthew D. and Goshe, Lisa R. and Clark, Jamie M. and Meylan, Anne B. and Teas, Wendy and Shaver, Donna J. and Godfrey, Matthew H. and Howell, Lyndsey}, year={2021}, pages={127–145} }
 @article{girondot_mourrain_chevallier_godfrey_2021, title={Maturity of a giant: age and size reaction norm for sexual maturity for Atlantic leatherback turtles}, ISSN={["1439-0485"]}, DOI={10.1111/maec.12631}, abstractNote={AbstractLeatherback marine turtles are the largest extant turtles with some individuals measuring up to 2 m in carapace length. In addition, this species remains in oceanic habitat during much its life, making it difficult to investigate its ontogeny from hatchling to adult stage. Furthermore, distinct chondro‐osseous (cartilage and bone) tissue morphology has led to speculation that sexual maturity may be reached as early as 3 years while others have estimated a minimum of 25 years to reach adulthood. Using a combination of reanalysis of the growth trajectories of juveniles maintained in captivity, and the age–size relationship of individuals in the field, we demonstrate and quantify the indeterminate growth of this species. Using comparisons of female size distribution on nesting beaches and stranded or captured‐at‐sea size distributions adjusted with a new asymmetric sigmoid function, we were able to model the size reaction norm for female sexual maturity. Combining these two models, we show that some females may reach maturity at 14 years in natural conditions, while others will take 50 years or more. Sexual maturity may even be reached at 5 years when individuals experience exceptionally good environmental conditions. This extreme plasticity in the age of sexual maturity has been demonstrated in loggerhead turtles in natural conditions and in green turtles in captivity. It may be a general life‐history feature of marine turtles.}, journal={MARINE ECOLOGY-AN EVOLUTIONARY PERSPECTIVE}, author={Girondot, Marc and Mourrain, Baptiste and Chevallier, Damien and Godfrey, Matthew H.}, year={2021}, month={Aug} }
 @article{maurer_seminoff_layman_stapleton_godfrey_reiskind_2021, title={Population Viability of Sea Turtles in the Context of Global Warming}, volume={71}, ISSN={["1525-3244"]}, DOI={10.1093/biosci/biab028}, abstractNote={Abstract
               Sea turtles present a model for the potential impacts of climate change on imperiled species, with projected warming generating concern about their persistence. Various sea turtle life-history traits are affected by temperature; most strikingly, warmer egg incubation temperatures cause female-biased sex ratios and higher embryo mortality. Predictions of sea turtle resilience to climate change are often focused on how resulting male limitation or reduced offspring production may affect populations. In the present article, by reviewing research on sea turtles, we provide an overview of how temperature impacts on incubating eggs may cascade through life history to ultimately affect population viability. We explore how sex-specific patterns in survival and breeding periodicity determine the differences among offspring, adult, and operational sex ratios. We then discuss the implications of skewed sex ratios for male-limited reproduction, consider the negative correlation between sex ratio skew and genetic diversity, and examine consequences for adaptive potential. Our synthesis underscores the importance of considering the effects of climate throughout the life history of any species. Lethal effects (e.g., embryo mortality) are relatively direct impacts, but sublethal effects at immature life-history stages may not alter population growth rates until cohorts reach reproductive maturity. This leaves a lag during which some species transition through several stages subject to distinct biological circumstances and climate impacts. These perspectives will help managers conceptualize the drivers of emergent population dynamics and identify existing knowledge gaps under different scenarios of predicted environmental change.}, number={8}, journal={BIOSCIENCE}, author={Maurer, Andrew S. and Seminoff, Jeffrey A. and Layman, Craig A. and Stapleton, Seth P. and Godfrey, Matthew H. and Reiskind, Martha O. Burford}, year={2021}, month={Aug}, pages={790–804} }
 @article{chow_kyritsis_mills_godfrey_harms_anderson_shedlock_2021, title={Tissue and Temperature-Specific RNA-Seq Analysis Reveals Genomic Versatility and Adaptive Potential in Wild Sea Turtle Hatchlings (Caretta caretta)}, volume={11}, ISSN={["2076-2615"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11113013}, DOI={10.3390/ani11113013}, abstractNote={Background: Digital transcriptomics is rapidly emerging as a powerful new technology for modelling the environmental dynamics of the adaptive landscape in diverse lineages. This is particularly valuable in taxa such as turtles and tortoises (order Testudines) which contain a large fraction of endangered species at risk due to anthropogenic impacts on the environment, including pollution, overharvest, habitat degradation, and climate change. Sea turtles (family Cheloniidae) in particular invite a genomics-enabled approach to investigating their remarkable portfolio of adaptive evolution. The sex of the endangered loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) is subject to temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD), a mechanism by which exposure to temperatures during embryonic development irreversibly determines sex. Higher temperatures produce mainly female turtles and lower temperatures produce mainly male turtles. Incubation temperature can have long term effects on the immunity, migratory ability, and ultimately longevity of hatchlings. We perform RNA-seq differential expression analysis to investigate tissue- and temperature-specific gene expression within brain (n = 7) and gonadal (n = 4) tissue of male and female loggerhead hatchlings. Results: We assemble tissue- and temperature-specific transcriptomes and identify differentially expressed genes relevant to sexual development and life history traits of broad adaptive interest to turtles and other amniotic species. We summarize interactions among differentially expressed genes by producing network visualizations, and highlight shared biological pathways related to migration, immunity, and longevity reported in the avian and reptile literature. Conclusions: The measurement of tissue- and temperature-specific global gene expression of an endangered, flagship species such as the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) reveals the genomic basis for potential resiliency and is crucial to future management and conservation strategies with attention to changing climates. Brain and gonadal tissue collected from experimentally reared loggerhead male and female hatchlings comprise an exceedingly rare dataset that permits the identification of genes enriched in functions related to sexual development, immunity, longevity, and migratory behavior and will serve as a large, new genomic resource for the investigation of genotype–phenotype relationships in amniotes.}, number={11}, journal={ANIMALS}, publisher={MDPI AG}, author={Chow, Julie C. and Kyritsis, Nia and Mills, Micah and Godfrey, Matthew H. and Harms, Craig A. and Anderson, Paul E. and Shedlock, Andrew M.}, year={2021}, month={Nov} }
 @misc{phillott_godfrey_2020, title={Assessing the evidence of 'infertile' sea turtle eggs}, volume={41}, ISSN={["1613-4796"]}, DOI={10.3354/esr01032}, abstractNote={There is increasing concern about feminization of sea turtle populations resulting from female-biased production of hatchlings due to climate change and selective loss of males from other anthropogenic drivers. Extreme female-biased breeding populations would reduce the likelihood of successful mating and potentially result in high rates of infertile eggs. Infertile eggs are those in which none of the events between sperm penetration of the ovum and syngamy have occurred. Distinguishing between fertile and infertile eggs is challenging, especially in field conditions, and researchers often have relied on physical evidence gathered from unhatched eggs at the end of the incubation period, which likely have experienced tissue decomposition. We argue that infertility in sea turtle eggs can be demonstrated only by the absence of holes caused by sperm penetration of the inner perivitelline membrane; sperm bound between the inner and outer perivitelline membranes; nuclei in the blastodisc; embryonic tissue or membranes in egg contents; and/or the characteristic white spot on the egg exterior. Unhatched eggs can be examined at the end of the incubation period, but we recommend that studies specifically investigating infertility examine at least 20 oviposited eggs each from clutches laid by at least 20 different turtles at the peak of the nesting season.}, journal={ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH}, author={Phillott, Andrea D. and Godfrey, Matthew H.}, year={2020}, pages={329–338} }
 @article{harms_boylan_stacy_beasley_garcia-parraga_godfrey_2020, title={Gas embolism and massive blunt force trauma to sea turtles entrained in hopper dredges in North and South Carolina, USA}, volume={142}, ISSN={["1616-1580"]}, DOI={10.3354/dao03542}, abstractNote={Decompression sickness (DCS) has been described mainly in loggerhead turtles Caretta caretta bycaught in trawls and gillnets. Here we present cases of gas emboli (GE) in 8 green turtles Chelonia mydas and 2 Kemp’s ridleys Lepidochelys kempii entrained in hopper dredges that were working at 8.8-15.2 m depths during shipping channel maintenance or beach renourishment activities. Turtle weights ranged from 2.2 to 6.7 kg. All were found alive with blunt force injuries from passage through the dredge and were taken to rehabilitation facilities. Four green turtles died or were euthanized within 24 h. Six turtles survived. Radiographic or ultrasonographic evidence of GE was detected in 4 turtles, including 3 mortalities. Computed tomography (CT) revealed perirenal and cervical GE in 4 turtles, including 1 mortality. No GE were detected in 2 of the survivors. Upon necropsy, GE were found in mesenteric vessels, the right atrium, and kidneys. Histopathology confirmed that tissues were in a good state of preservation without evidence of bacterial overgrowth or putrefactive gas formation. Death likely resulted primarily from massive tissue trauma from the dredge, but moderate GE could have led to DCS and complicated recovery. The surviving turtles weighed less than those that did not survive. Besides hypothesized stress/exercise-induced circulatory changes of blood through the lungs and pressure reduction of forced surfacing from depth, drastic pressure change within the dredge pipes before and after the pump could contribute to GE. Hopper dredge entrainment is an additional cause of GE and potential DCS in sea turtles.}, journal={DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS}, author={Harms, Craig A. and Boylan, Shane M. and Stacy, Brian A. and Beasley, Jean F. and Garcia-Parraga, Daniel and Godfrey, Matthew H.}, year={2020}, pages={189–196} }
 @article{alberto abreu-grobois_alejandra morales-merida_hart_guillon_godfrey_navarro_girondot_2020, title={Recent advances on the estimation of the thermal reaction norm for sex ratios}, volume={8}, ISSN={["2167-8359"]}, DOI={10.7717/peerj.8451}, abstractNote={Temperature-dependent sex determination, or TSD, is a widespread phenomenon in reptiles. The shape of the relationship between constant incubation temperature and sex ratio defines the TSD pattern. The TSD pattern is considered a life-history parameter important for conservation because the wider the range of temperatures producing both sexes, the more resilient the species is to climate change impacts. We review the different published equations and methodologies that have been used to model TSD patterns. We describe a new flexible model that allows for an asymmetrical pattern around the pivotal temperature, which is the constant temperature producing both sexes in equal proportions. We show that Metropolis-Hastings with Markov chain produced by a Monte Carlo process has many advantages compared to maximum likelihood and is preferred. Finally, we apply the models to results from incubation experiments using eggs from the marine turtle Lepidochelys olivacea originating in Northeast Indian, East Pacific, and West Atlantic Regional Management Units (RMUs) and find large differences in pivotal temperatures but not in transitional ranges of temperatures.}, journal={PEERJ}, author={Alberto Abreu-Grobois, F. and Alejandra Morales-Merida, B. and Hart, Catherine E. and Guillon, Jean-Michel and Godfrey, Matthew H. and Navarro, Erik and Girondot, Marc}, year={2020}, month={Mar} }
 @article{godley_broderick_colman_formia_godfrey_hamann_nuno_omeyer_patricio_phillott_et al._2020, title={Reflections on sea turtle conservation}, volume={54}, ISSN={["1365-3008"]}, DOI={10.1017/S0030605320000162}, abstractNote={[Extract] Why do sea turtles garner such intense interest? The answer is visceral: they are widely loved! A cryptic life cycle spent mostly out of view lends a sense of mystery that makes them special. Yet, these large animals are highly accessible at an extremely vulnerable time, when females emerge on sandy beaches at night to lay eggs, before disappearing again into the oceans. Being nocturnal, they provide us the adventure of going out in the dark on secluded beaches to find them. Plus, the hatchlings are cute, and releasing them into the sea must be one of the most engaging activities that people can do with a protected species. 
 
To mark World Sea Turtle Day on 16 June, we—conservation scientists working across the oceans on this small yet well-studied group of seven species—reflect on their conservation. Sea turtles have lived in the oceans, largely unchanged, for millions of years. They play important roles in their ecosystems, possibly even as ecosystem engineers, and serve as prey for other protected species (Verissimo et al., 2012). They have been a source of sustenance and useful products for people for millennia, and these needs persist (Hancock et al., 2017; Humber et al., 2017; Delisle et al., 2018; Sardeshpande & MacMillan, 2019). Consequently, sea turtles are culturally important and the subject of myths and lore. They have also become economically important to many coastal communities through tourism (Waylen et al., 2009), although this can affect turtles or their habitats, if not correctly managed (Katselidis et al., 2013).}, number={3}, journal={ORYX}, author={Godley, B. J. and Broderick, A. C. and Colman, L. P. and Formia, A. and Godfrey, M. H. and Hamann, M. and Nuno, A. and Omeyer, L. C. M. and Patricio, A. R. and Phillott, A. D. and et al.}, year={2020}, month={May}, pages={287–289} }
 @article{niemuth_ransom_finn_godfrey_nelson_stoskopf_2020, title={Using Random Forest Algorithm to Model Cold-Stunning Events in Sea Turtles in North Carolina}, volume={11}, ISSN={["1944-687X"]}, DOI={10.3996/052019-JFWM-043}, abstractNote={AbstractSea turtle strandings due to cold-stunning are seen when turtles are exposed to ocean temperatures that acutely and persistently drop below approximately 12°C. In North Carolina, this syndrome affects imperiled loggerhead Caretta caretta, green Chelonia mydas, and Kemp's ridley Lepidochelys kempii sea turtle species. Based on oceanic and meteorological patterns of cold-stunning in sea turtles, we hypothesized that we could predict the daily size of cold-stunning events in North Carolina using random forest models. We used cold-stunning data from the North Carolina Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network from 2010 to 2015 and oceanic and meteorological data from the National Data Buoy Center from 2009 to 2015 to create a random forest model that explained 99% of the variance. We explored additional models using the 10 and 20 most important variables or only oceanic and meteorological variables. These models explained similar percentages of variance. The variables most frequently found to be important were related to air temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind direction, and wind speed. Surprisingly, variables associated with water temperature, which is critical from a biological perspective, were not among the most important variables identified. We also included variables for the mean change in these metrics daily from 4 d before the day of stranding. These variables were among the most important in several of our models, especially the change in mean air temperature from 4 d before stranding to the day of stranding. The importance of specific variables from our random forest models can be used to guide the selection of future model predictors to estimate daily size of cold-stunning events. We plan to apply the results of this study to a predictive model that can serve as a warning system and to a downscaled climate projection to determine the potential impact of climate change on cold-stunning event size in the future.}, number={2}, journal={JOURNAL OF FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT}, publisher={U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service}, author={Niemuth, Jennifer N. and Ransom, Casey C. and Finn, Sarah A. and Godfrey, Matthew H. and Nelson, Stacy A. C. and Stoskopf, Michael K.}, year={2020}, month={Dec}, pages={531–541} }
 @article{harms_mcclellan-green_godfrey_christiansen_broadhurst_godard-codding_2019, title={Crude Oil and Dispersant Cause Acute Clinicopathological Abnormalities in Hatchling Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta)}, volume={6}, ISSN={["2297-1769"]}, DOI={10.3389/fvets.2019.00344}, abstractNote={Following the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon MC252 oil rig in 2010, 319 live sea turtles exposed to crude oil and oil-dispersant (Corexit) combinations were admitted to rehabilitation centers for decontamination and treatment. Treatment of oiled sea turtles was guided by expected physiological and pathological effects of crude oil exposure extrapolated from studies in other species and from a single loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) study. While invaluable starting points, inherent limitations to extrapolation, and small sample size of the experimental exposure study, reduce their utility for clinical guidance and for assessing oil spill impacts. Effects of dispersants were not included in the previous experimental exposure study, and cannot be effectively isolated in the analysis of field data from actual spills. A terminal study of pivotal temperature of sex determination using eggs salvaged from doomed loggerhead nests provided an opportunity for an ancillary exposure study to investigate the acute effects of crude oil, dispersant, and a crude oil/dispersant combination in sea turtle hatchlings. Eggs were incubated at 27.2–30.8°C, and hatchlings were randomly assigned to control, oil, dispersant, and combined oil/dispersant exposures for 1 or 4 days. Contaminant exposures were started after a 3 day post-hatching period simulating nest emergence. Turtles were placed in individual glass bowls containing aged seawater and exposed to oil (Gulf Coast—Mixed Crude Oil Sweet, CAS #8002-05-9, 0.833 mL/L) and/or dispersant (Corexit 9500A, 0.083 mL/L), replicating concentrations encountered during oil spills and subsequent response. Statistically significant differences between treatments and non-exposed controls were detected for PCV, AST, uric acid, glucose, calcium, phosphorus, total protein, albumin, globulin, potassium, and sodium. The principal dyscrasias reflected acute osmolar, electrolyte and hydration challenges that were more numerous and greater in combined oil/dispersant exposures at 4 days. Clinicopathological findings were supported by a failure to gain weight (associated with normal hatchling hydration in seawater) in dispersant and combination exposed hatchlings. These findings can help guide clinical response for sea turtles exposed to crude oil and crude oil/dispersant combinations, and indicate potential impacts on wildlife to consider when deploying dispersants in an oil spill response.}, journal={FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE}, author={Harms, Craig A. and McClellan-Green, Patricia and Godfrey, Matthew H. and Christiansen, Emily F. and Broadhurst, Heather J. and Godard-Codding, Celine A. J.}, year={2019}, month={Oct} }
 @article{fuentes_godfrey_shaver_ceriani_gredzens_boettcher_ingram_ware_wildermann_2019, title={Exposure of Marine Turtle Nesting Grounds to Named Storms Along the Continental USA}, volume={11}, ISSN={["2072-4292"]}, DOI={10.3390/rs11242996}, abstractNote={Named storms can cause substantial impacts on the habitat and reproductive output of threatened species, such as marine turtles. To determine the impacts of named storms on marine turtles and inform management, it is necessary to determine the exposure of marine turtle nesting grounds to recent storm activities. To address this, remote sensing information of named storm tracks coupled with nesting ground data were used to investigate the temporal and spatial overlap between nesting grounds for four species of marine turtles in the continental United States of America. All species of marine turtles were exposed to named storms, with variation in exposure driven by the spatial distribution of each population’s nesting ground, the temporal overlap between the storms and reproductive events, and nest placement on the beach. Loggerhead turtles were the most exposed species to named storms, with the northern management unit having significantly higher exposure levels than all other loggerhead management units. Kemp’s ridley turtles, in contrast, were found to be the least exposed species to named storms. This study establishes a valuable current baseline against which to measure and compare future impacts that result as climate change progresses and storms become more frequent and intense. Importantly, cumulative and synergetic effects from other climatic processes and anthropogenic stressors should be considered in future analysis.}, number={24}, journal={REMOTE SENSING}, author={Fuentes, Mariana M. P. B. and Godfrey, Matthew H. and Shaver, Donna and Ceriani, Simona and Gredzens, Christian and Boettcher, Ruth and Ingram, Dianne and Ware, Matthew and Wildermann, Natalie}, year={2019}, month={Dec} }
 @article{tagliolatto_giffoni_guimaraes_godfrey_monteiro-neto_2019, title={Incidental capture and mortality of sea turtles in the industrial double-rig-bottom trawl fishery in south-eastern Brazil}, ISBN={1099-0755}, DOI={10.1002/aqc.3252}, abstractNote={Abstract

Incidental capture by fisheries is one of the principal threats to sea turtles. This study analysed spatial and temporal patterns of sea turtle bycatch, and estimated the direct initial mortality rate of these animals, in the industrial double‐rig‐bottom trawl fishery in south‐eastern Brazil. This is also the first attempt to relate bycatch/at‐sea mortality in bottom trawling to stranded turtles found along the adjacent coast.
The fishery was monitored from October 2015 to April 2018 through data collected voluntarily by the captains of eight industrial double‐rig trawlers. Two hundred and one sea turtles were captured during 9362 tows (43,657.52 trawling hours), resulting in a catch per unit effort (CPUE) of 0.0025 ± 0.0032 turtles h−1 with a standard net of 30.5 m headrope, with no significant difference between the estimated CPUEs for licensed shrimp and demersal fish trawlers.
Caretta caretta (52.24%) and Lepidochelys olivacea (38.81%) were the most frequently captured species. According to Generalized Linear Models, C. caretta bycatch was significantly higher during winter, at lower latitudes (−24° to −23°) and higher longitudes (−42° to −40°), while the L. olivacea bycatch was significantly higher at higher latitudes (−23° to −21°). The direct initial mortality rate of sea turtles in the shrimp trawlers was 7.65 ± 3.85%. However, none of the dead individuals subsequently released with plastic tags (n = 10) were found stranded on the coast. Mortality was not significantly related to the depth or duration of the trawling.
The results of this study suggest the need for improvements to the current management of the bottom trawl fishery in Brazil, moving from a species‐based to a spatial and seasonal‐based approach. There is also a need to develop turtle excluder devices adapted to local fishing conditions.
}, journal={AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS}, author={Tagliolatto, Alicia Bertoloto and Giffoni, Bruno and Guimaraes, Suzana and Godfrey, Matthew H. and Monteiro-Neto, Cassiano}, year={2019} }
 @article{bembenek-bailey_niemuth_mcclellan-green_godfrey_harms_gracz_stoskopf_2019, title={NMR Metabolomic Analysis of Skeletal Muscle, Heart, and Liver of Hatchling Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) Experimentally Exposed to Crude Oil and/or Corexit}, volume={9}, ISSN={2218-1989}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/metabo9020021}, DOI={10.3390/metabo9020021}, abstractNote={We used nuclear magnetic spectroscopy (NMR) to evaluate the metabolic impacts of crude oil, Corexit 5900A, a dispersant, and a crude oil Corexit 5900A mixture exposure on skeletal muscle, heart, and liver physiology of hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). Tissue samples were obtained from 22 seven-day-old hatchlings after a four day cutaneous exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of crude oil, Corexit 5900A, a combination of crude oil and Corexit 9500A, or a seawater control. We identified 38 metabolites in the aqueous extracts of the liver, and 30 metabolites in both the skeletal and heart muscle aqueous extracts, including organic acids/osmolytes, energy compounds, amino acids, ketone bodies, nucleosides, and nucleotides. Skeletal muscle lactate, creatines, and taurine concentrations were significantly lower in hatchlings exposed to crude oil than in control hatchlings. Lactate, taurine, and cholines appeared to be the basis of some variation in hatchling heart samples, and liver inosine, uracil, and uridine appeared to be influenced by Corexit and crude oil exposure. Observed decreases in concentrations of lactate and creatines may reflect energy depletion in skeletal muscle of oil-exposed animals, while decreased taurine concentrations in these animals may reflect higher oxidative stress.}, number={2}, journal={Metabolites}, publisher={MDPI AG}, author={Bembenek-Bailey, Stasia and Niemuth, Jennifer and McClellan-Green, Patricia and Godfrey, Matthew and Harms, Craig and Gracz, Hanna and Stoskopf, Michael}, year={2019}, month={Jan}, pages={21} }
 @article{tagliolatto_goldberg_godfrey_monteiro-neto_2020, title={Spatio-temporal distribution of sea turtle strandings and factors contributing to their mortality in south-eastern Brazil}, volume={30}, ISSN={["1099-0755"]}, DOI={10.1002/aqc.3244}, abstractNote={Abstract

Data on stranded sea turtles were examined between 2010 and 2016 along the northern region of Rio de Janeiro state and between 2016 and 2017 in the southern region, looking for spatio‐temporal patterns and determining which factors contributed to their mortality.
A total of 12,162 strandings of all five species that occur in Brazil were recorded, with Chelonia mydas being the most common (89.9%). Sea turtles use the Rio de Janeiro coast as a feeding and/or migration area. The intense upwelling (October to April) may be an important factor for the sea turtles feeding in this region, mainly for Eretmochelys imbricata and Dermochelys coriacea, which had a higher number of strandings during this period.
Areas further north of the study area include an important nesting site for Caretta caretta in Brazil, which explains the higher concentration of strandings of subadults/adults of this species in this region and during its nesting season.
Many anthropogenic threats to sea turtles were documented, mainly incidental capture in fisheries and marine debris, indicating possible hotspots for these threats in the regions of Sepetiba and Guanabara Bays, Cabo Frio, and São Francisco de Itabapoana.
Among the natural causes of strandings, the primary factors were chronic illness, endoparasites, and fibropapillomatosis. However, pollution may also be an indirect threat, which negatively affects these animals through reduced health and immunosuppression, leaving them more susceptible to opportunistic diseases.
These data are valuable for directing and implementing specific and local mitigation measures along the Rio de Janeiro state coast, such as avoiding bycatch hotspots through fleet communication programmes and/or area and seasonal closures, enforceable legislation, effective penalties and proper waste management.
}, number={2}, journal={AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS}, author={Tagliolatto, Alicia Bertoloto and Goldberg, Daphne Wrobel and Godfrey, Matthew H. and Monteiro-Neto, Cassiano}, year={2020}, month={Feb}, pages={331–350} }
 @article{bembenek bailey_niemuth_mcclellan-green_godfrey_harms_stoskopf_2017, title={1
            H-NMR metabolomic study of whole blood from hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (
            Caretta caretta
            ) exposed to crude oil and/or Corexit}, volume={4}, ISSN={2054-5703 2054-5703}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.171433}, DOI={10.1098/rsos.171433}, abstractNote={We used proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR) to evaluate metabolic impacts of environmentally relevant crude oil and Corexit exposures on the physiology of hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). Sample extraction and data acquisition methods for very small volume whole blood samples and sources of variation between individual hatchlings were assessed. Sixteen unclotted, whole blood samples were obtained from 7-day-old hatchlings after a 4-day cutaneous exposure to either control seawater, crude oil, Corexit 9500A or a combination of crude oil and Corexit 9500A. After extraction, one- and two-dimensional1H-NMR spectra of the samples were obtained, and 17 metabolites were identified and confirmed in the whole blood spectra. Variation among samples due to the concentrations of metabolites 3-hydroxybutyrate, lactate, trimethylamine oxide and propylene glycol did not statistically correlate with treatment group. However, the characterization of the hatchling loggerhead whole blood metabolome provides a foundation for future metabolomic research with sea turtles and a basis for the study of tissues from exposed hatchling sea turtles.}, number={11}, journal={Royal Society Open Science}, publisher={The Royal Society}, author={Bembenek Bailey, Stasia A. and Niemuth, Jennifer N. and McClellan-Green, Patricia D. and Godfrey, Matthew H. and Harms, Craig A. and Stoskopf, Michael K.}, year={2017}, month={Nov}, pages={171433} }
 @article{caillouet_putman_shaver_valverde_seney_lohmann_mansfield_gallaway_flanagan_godfrey_2016, title={A Call for evaluation of the contribution made by rescue, resuscitation, rehabilitation, and release translocations to Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) population recovery}, volume={11}, number={3}, journal={Herpetological Conservation and Biology}, author={Caillouet, C. W. and Putman, N. F. and Shaver, D. J. and Valverde, R. A. and Seney, E. E. and Lohmann, K. J. and Mansfield, K. L. and Gallaway, B. J. and Flanagan, J. P. and Godfrey, M. H.}, year={2016}, pages={486–496} }
 @article{fuentes_gredzens_bateman_boettcher_ceriani_godfrey_helmers_ingram_kamrowski_pate_et al._2016, title={Conservation hotspots for marine turtle nesting in the United States based on coastal development}, volume={26}, ISSN={["1939-5582"]}, DOI={10.1002/eap.1386}, abstractNote={AbstractCoastal areas provide nesting habitat for marine turtles that is critical for the persistence of their populations. However, many coastal areas are highly affected by coastal development, which affects the reproductive success of marine turtles. Knowing the extent to which nesting areas are exposed to these threats is essential to guide management initiatives. This information is particularly important for coastal areas with both high nesting density and dense human development, a combination that is common in the United States. We assessed the extent to which nesting areas of the loggerhead (Caretta caretta), the green (Chelonia mydas), the Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), and leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) in the continental United States are exposed to coastal development and identified conservation hotspots that currently have high reproductive importance and either face high exposure to coastal development (needing intervention), or have low exposure to coastal development, and are good candidates for continued and future protection. Night‐time light, housing, and population density were used as proxies for coastal development and human disturbance. About 81.6% of nesting areas were exposed to housing and human population, and 97.8% were exposed to light pollution. Further, most (>65%) of the very high‐ and high‐density nesting areas for each species/subpopulation, except for the Kemp's ridley, were exposed to coastal development. Forty‐nine nesting sites were selected as conservation hotspots; of those high‐density nesting sites, 49% were sites with no/low exposure to coastal development and the other 51% were exposed to high‐density coastal development. Conservation strategies need to account for ~66.8% of all marine turtle nesting areas being on private land and for nesting sites being exposed to large numbers of seasonal residents.}, number={8}, journal={ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS}, author={Fuentes, Mariana M. P. B. and Gredzens, Christian and Bateman, Brooke L. and Boettcher, Ruth and Ceriani, Simona A. and Godfrey, Matthew H. and Helmers, David and Ingram, Dianne K. and Kamrowski, Ruth L. and Pate, Michelle and et al.}, year={2016}, month={Dec}, pages={2706–2717} }
 @article{kelly_mcneill_avens_hall_goshe_hohn_godfrey_mihnovets_cluse_harms_et al._2015, title={Clinical Pathology Reference Intervals for an In-Water Population of Juvenile Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) in Core Sound, North Carolina, USA}, volume={10}, ISSN={1932-6203}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0115739}, DOI={10.1371/journal.pone.0115739}, abstractNote={The loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) is found throughout the waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. It is a protected species throughout much of its range due to threats such as habitat loss, fisheries interactions, hatchling predation, and marine debris. Loggerheads that occur in the southeastern U.S. are listed as "threatened" on the U.S. Endangered Species List, and receive state and federal protection. As part of an on-going population assessment conducted by the National Marine Fisheries Service, samples were collected from juvenile loggerhead sea turtles in Core Sound, North Carolina, between 2004 and 2007 to gain insight on the baseline health of the threatened Northwest Atlantic Ocean population. The aims of the current study were to establish hematologic and biochemical reference intervals for this population, and to assess variation of the hematologic and plasma biochemical analytes by season, water temperature, and sex and size of the turtles. Reference intervals for the clinical pathology parameters were estimated following Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Season, water temperature, sex, and size of the turtles were found to be significant factors of variation for parameter values. Seasonal variation could be attributed to physiological effects of decreasing photoperiod, cooler water temperature, and migration during the fall months. Packed cell volume, total protein, and albumin increased with increasing size of the turtles. The size-related differences in analytes documented in the present study are consistent with other reports of variation in clinical pathology parameters by size and age in sea turtles. As a component of a health assessment of juvenile loggerhead sea turtles in North Carolina, this study will serve as a baseline aiding in evaluation of trends for this population and as a diagnostic tool for assessing the health and prognosis for loggerhead sea turtles undergoing rehabilitation.}, number={3}, journal={PLOS ONE}, publisher={Public Library of Science (PLoS)}, author={Kelly, Terra R. and McNeill, Joanne Braun and Avens, Larisa and Hall, April Goodman and Goshe, Lisa R. and Hohn, Aleta A. and Godfrey, Matthew H. and Mihnovets, A. Nicole and Cluse, Wendy M. and Harms, Craig and et al.}, editor={Johnson, Christopher JamesEditor}, year={2015}, month={Mar}, pages={e0115739} }
 @misc{nelms_duncan_broderick_galloway_godfrey_hamann_lindeque_godley_2016, title={Plastic and marine turtles: A review and call for research}, volume={73}, DOI={10.1093/icesjms/fsv165}, abstractNote={Plastic debris is now ubiquitous in the marine environment affecting a wide range of taxa, from microscopic zooplankton to large vertebrates. Its persistence and dispersal throughout marine ecosystems has meant that sensitivity toward the scale of threat is growing, particularly for species of conservation concern, such as marine turtles. Their use of a variety of habitats, migratory behaviour, and complex life histories leave them subject to a host of anthropogenic stressors, including exposure to marine plastic pollution. Here, we review the evidence for the effects of plastic debris on turtles and their habitats, highlight knowledge gaps, and make recommendations for future research. We found that, of the seven species, all are known to ingest or become entangled in marine debris. Ingestion can cause intestinal blockage and internal injury, dietary dilution, malnutrition, and increased buoyancy which in turn can result in poor health, reduced growth rates and reproductive output, or death. Entanglement in plastic debris (including ghost fishing gear) is known to cause lacerations, increased drag—which reduces the ability to forage effectively or escape threats—and may lead to drowning or death by starvation. In addition, plastic pollution may impact key turtle habitats. In particular, its presence on nesting beaches may alter nest properties by affecting temperature and sediment permeability. This could influence hatchling sex ratios and reproductive success, resulting in population level implications. Additionally, beach litter may entangle nesting females or emerging hatchlings. Lastly, as an omnipresent and widespread pollutant, plastic debris may cause wider ecosystem effects which result in loss of productivity and implications for trophic interactions. By compiling and presenting this evidence, we demonstrate that urgent action is required to better understand this issue and its effects on marine turtles, so that appropriate and effective mitigation policies can be developed.}, number={2}, journal={ICES Journal of Marine Science}, author={Nelms, S. E. and Duncan, E. M. and Broderick, A. C. and Galloway, T. S. and Godfrey, M. H. and Hamann, M. and Lindeque, P. K. and Godley, B. J.}, year={2016}, pages={165–181} }