Artificial light on water attracts turtle hatchlings during their near shore transit

Michele Thums; Scott D. Whiting; Julia Reisser; Kellie L. Pendoley; Charitha B. Pattiaratchi; Maira Proietti; Yasha Hetzel; Rebecca Fisher; Mark G. Meekan

doi:10.1098/rsos.160142

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Artificial light on water attracts turtle hatchlings during their near shore transit

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Artificial light on water attracts turtle hatchlings during their near shore transit

Michele Thums, Scott D. Whiting, Julia Reisser, Kellie L. Pendoley, Charitha B. Pattiaratchi, Maira Proietti, Yasha Hetzel, Rebecca Fisher and Mark G. Meekan

Royal Society open science, Vol.3(5), 160142

2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.160142

PMCID: PMC4892457

PMID: 27293795

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Abstract

Multidisciplinary Sciences

Science & Technology

Science & Technology - Other Topics

We examined the effect of artificial light on the near shore trajectories of turtle hatchlings dispersing from natal beaches. Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) hatchlings were tagged with miniature acoustic transmitters and their movements tracked within an underwater array of 36 acoustic receivers placed in the near shore zone. A total of 40 hatchlings were tracked, 20 of which were subjected to artificial light during their transit of the array. At the same time, we measured current speed and direction, which were highly variable within and between experimental nights and treatments. Artificial lighting affected hatchling behaviour, with 88% of individual trajectories oriented towards the light and spending, on average, 23% more time in the 2.25 ha tracking array (19.5 ± 5 min) than under ambient light conditions (15.8 ± 5 min). Current speed had little to no effect on the bearing (angular direction) of the hatchling tracks when artificial light was present, but under ambient conditions it influenced the bearing of the tracks when current direction was offshore and above speeds of approximately 32.5 cm s−1. This is the first experimental evidence that wild turtle hatchlings are attracted to artificial light after entering the ocean, a behaviour that is likely to subject them to greater risk of predation. The experimental protocol described in this study can be used to assess the effect of anthropogenic (light pollution, noise, etc.) and natural (wave action, current, wind, moonlight) influences on the in-water movements of sea turtle hatchlings during the early phase of dispersal.

Details

Title: Artificial light on water attracts turtle hatchlings during their near shore transit
Authors/Creators: Michele Thums - Univ Western Australia, Australian Inst Marine Sci, UWA Oceans Inst M096, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
Scott D. Whiting - Dept Pk & Wildlife, Marine Sci Program, 17 Dick Perry Ave, Kensington, WA 6151, Australia
Julia Reisser - Univ Western Australia, Sch Civil Environm & Min Engn M015, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
Kellie L. Pendoley - Univ Western Australia, UWA Oceans Inst, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
Charitha B. Pattiaratchi - Univ Western Australia, Indian Ocean Marine Res Ctr, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
Maira Proietti - Univ Fed Rio Grande, Inst Oceanog, Ave Italia Km 08, BR-96203900 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
Yasha Hetzel - Univ Western Australia, Indian Ocean Marine Res Ctr, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
Rebecca Fisher - Univ Western Australia, Australian Inst Marine Sci, UWA Oceans Inst M096, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
Mark G. Meekan - Univ Western Australia, Australian Inst Marine Sci, UWA Oceans Inst M096, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
Publication Details: Royal Society open science, Vol.3(5), 160142
Publisher: Royal Society
Number of pages: 12
Grant note: Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre Department of Parks and Wildlife, Western Australia
Identifiers: 991005579964007891
Murdoch Affiliation: Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.35 Zoology & Animal Ecology; 3.35.683 Reptile Ecology
Web Of Science research areas: Marine & Freshwater Biology
ESI research areas: Plant & Animal Science