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Resumen del producto
Talavera, A., A., Sánchez González & C., Ortiz
(2013).
Stable isotopes of nitrogen in green turtle (Chelonia mydas) from a foraging area at the Mexican Caribbean.
22nd Biennial Conference of the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation CERF2013.
San Diegon California, USA, Estados Unidos de América, noviembre 3 - 7, 2013,
1.
Stable isotopes of nitrogen in green turtle (Chelonia mydas) from a foraging area at the Mexican Caribbean
Ana Talavera, Alberto Sánchez González y Concepción Ortiz
Akumal Bay is an important foraging area for juvenile green turtles. Akumal is considered a
middle-touristic development in comparison with other surrounding areas. However, tourism
activities may be increasing nutrients load toward Akumal Bay. There is limited information
about sea turtles function as predator and prey, or conductors of energy/nutrients through
the ecosystems. Hence, it is necessary to study sea turtles contribution on these ecosystems.
In order to assess the role of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) as an indicator of changes in
nutrient load, ?15N was analyzed in green turtles and their potential preys from Akumal Bay.
Therefore, ?15N values from whole blood (WB), plasma and red blood cells (RBC) from
green turtles were compared with the values from their feeding source (seagrasses). Green
turtles samples were collected in 2012 and 2013, and seagrasses samples were collected
from 2011 to 2013. Preliminary results showed that ?15N isotopic values in Thalassia
testudinum decreased with time (7.3‰-1.59‰, 2011-2013 respectively). In green turtles
tissues, the ?15N values were 4.82±1.17‰, 5.05±1.25‰ and 5.16±1.18‰ (RBC, plasma
and WB, respectively). These results indicate that values in green turtles and seagrass are
comparable. Hence, green turtles can reflect N variations as well as the primary producers.
There is a significant decreasing in ?15N values in the last months that may be caused by rain
water inputs from the last year. Nevertheless, some of these values are considered enriched
comparing with other sites. This enrichment may be associated to increase of touristic
development, thus, it is suggested a continuous monitoring of N in the environment, in order
to identify seasonal natural N variation. These results showed that because juvenile green
turtle population is resident at the bay can be used as an indicator of N load in the area.
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