Dataset Submitted

Tracking data from juvenile sea turtles and oceanographic surface drifters released in the Gulf 2011-2022, along with code for state space model analysis

Authors: Katrina Phillips, Katherine Mansfield, Nathan Putman
Identified On: May 22 2025 19:34 UTC
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7266/g4b5s2jt
UDI: F3.x302.000:0001
Project Information

Funded By:
Florida RESTORE Act Centers of Excellence Program

Funding Cycle:
FLRACEP 3

Research Group:
Understanding Genomic, Behavioral, and Microbial Drivers of Ontogenetic Shifts in Early Sea Turtle Foraging Ecology and Habitat Use

Point of Contact

Katrina Phillips
University of Massachusetts Amherst
katrinafphillips@gmail.com

Data Collection Period
2011-08-12
to
2022-08-31
Theme keywords

juvenile dispersal, satellite telemetry, surface-drifting buoys, Green sea turtle, Kemp's ridley sea turtle, Hawksbill sea turtle, Loggerhead sea turtle, state space model

Abstract:

We satellite tracked 114 wild-caught juvenile turtles (straight carapace lengths 12.3-29.9 cm) from the Gulf of Mexico between 2011-2022 to investigate “lost years” movements with respect to traditional definitions assigned to the life stage. Satellite-tracked turtles included 79 green turtles (Chelonia mydas), 26 Kemp’s ridleys (Lepidochelys kempii), 5 loggerheads (Caretta caretta), and 4 hawksbills (Eretmochelys imbricata). Many tracked turtles transited between oceanic (>200 m depth) and neritic waters (<200 m depth), challenging the assumption that this life stage is exclusively found in oceanic habitats. Turtle movements differed from oceanographic surface drifters, providing further evidence that sea turtles of this life stage do not exclusively drift with currents.

Suggested Citation:

Katrina Phillips, Katherine Mansfield, Nathan Putman. Tracking data from juvenile sea turtles and oceanographic surface drifters released in the Gulf 2011-2022, along with code for state space model analysis. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/g4b5s2jt

Purpose:

To inform understanding of dispersal-stage juvenile sea turtle distributions, behavior, connectivity, and ecology. The paired surface drifter tracks allowed an assessment of passive versus active juvenile sea turtle movements.

Data Parameters and Units:

Species: Lk= Kemp’s ridley, Cc = loggerhead, Cm = green turtle, Ei = hawksbill; Tag_id: Argos tag IDs for each tag deployed (individual identifier); utc: Date and time in Coordinated Universal Time for each position/location received from turtle satellite tags; lc: Argos location class; Lat1: Latitude in decimal degrees; Dir1: North (N) or South (S) latitude; Lon1: Longitude in decimal degrees; Dir2: West (W) or East (E) longitude; ESN: individual drifter ID; Electronic Serial Number from each drifter GPS tracking device; Message Time GMT: date and time (recorded as Greenwich Mean Time) for each location received; Latitude (in decimal degrees), Longitude (in decimal degrees)

Methods:

Location data for juvenile sea turtles were collected via satellite telemetry. We deployed oceanographic surface drifters with each turtle release against which to compare turtle movements. State space models were run in R. Full methods available in published manuscript. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2024.2367

Instruments:

Microwave Telemetry 9.5 g solar-powered platform transmitter terminals ‘Kathleen’, ‘Eddie’, and CARTHE (Consortium for Advanced Research on Transport of Hydrocarbon in the Environment) drifters