Browsing by Author "Ramos, Jaime A."
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- Foraging niche segregation between juvenile and adult hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) at Príncipe island, West AfricaPublication . Ferreira, Rogério L.; Ceia, Filipe R.; Borges, Teresa C.; Ramos, Jaime A.; Bolten, Alan B.Hawksbill sea turtles are the most tropical sea turtle species with one of the last remaining aggregations in West Africa found on Príncipe Island (1° 37′ N; 7° 23′ E). Here we present for the first time, data on the trophic and foraging ecology of both juvenile and adult hawksbill turtles found in the shallow waters of Príncipe, using stable isotope analyses of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N), and assess any isotopic niche segregation between these two life-stages. Hawksbill turtles were sampled from December 2012 to June 2014, complementary to a snorkeling survey conducted around the entire coastline (ca. 100 km). δ13C and δ15N values were measured in epidermal samples of 40 individuals and analyzed in the context of isotopic niche width and overlap (i.e. trophic and foraging niches). Juveniles hawksbills (n = 29; < 60 cm curved carapace length (CCL)) occupy a significant smaller isotopic niche than adults (n = 11; > 75 cm), especially in relation to δ13C values (i.e. habitat use) but also in δ15N values (i.e. trophic level). Variances between adults and juveniles were not homogenous for both isotopes and larger for adults, particularly for δ13C values. We found significant differences in δ13C values between the two groups, but not for δ15N, and a significant correlation between δ13C values and CCL for the pooled data. SIBER (stable isotopes Bayesian ellipses in R) outcomes support these results and, although niches are not completely segregated, it indicates spatial foraging segregation between juveniles and adults. The fact that Príncipe Island's shallow waters are constantly being patrolled by spearfishermen, together with the existence of a large insular platform and a superior dive capacity in larger hawksbills, might influence this segregation. Our results suggest that part of the adults may be originating from isotopically distinct areas. To have a better understanding on the distribution and abundance of the sea turtle populations in Príncipe, including their connectivity with other foraging and breeding areas, future in-water studies focused mainly on the entire insular platform of Príncipe, but also on the adjacent probable foraging areas of the Gulf of Guinea, are required.
- Gulls as indicators of environmental changes in the North Atlantic: a long-term study on Berlenga Island, Western PortugalPublication . Ceia, Filipe R.; Silva, Nathalie C.; Paiva, Vitor H.; Morais, Lurdes; Serrao, Ester; Ramos, Jaime A.In recent decades, the breeding populations of the yellow-legged gull Larus michahellis (YLG) have increased significantly, primarily due to the increase in open refuse dumps and discards from fisheries. Portugal’s largest YLG breeding colony is located on Berlenga Island, where population numbers have been monitored since 1974. The population grew exponentially until 1994, prompting the implementation of population control measures, including culling adult birds and eggs. A long-term data base including number of breeding birds (since 1974), breeding parameters (since 2002), and trophic niches (using stable isotopes since 2011) of YLG breeding on Berlenga was related with oceanographic parameters, fish landings and quantity of urban waste. Trophic ecology showed strong relationships with oceanographic parameters (wNAO, Chl-a, and SST) and fisheries landings (the 10 most frequently consumed species by the YLG, traded at fish auctions in the main fishing harbour nearby). The results indicated significant relationships between reproductive performance and fisheries landings, particularly with demersal species that gulls primarily access through fisheries discards. However, population control measures played a pivotal role in stabilising and even reducing the population, despite sporadic events of poor oceanographic productivity in the past decade having a consistent impact on the reduction in breeding individuals.
- Size-based differences in isotopic niche width (delta C-13 and delta N-15) of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) nesting on Principe Island, Gulf of GuineaPublication . Ferreira, Rogério L.; Ceia, Filipe R.; Borges, Teresa C.; Ramos, Jaime A.; Bolten, Alan B.Within the same population, nesting green turtles (Chelonia mydas) might exploit different niches by exhibiting polymorphic foraging strategies and/or inhabiting geographically distinct foraging areas. This is crucial information for the conservation of this species. Here, we used stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios (delta C-13 and delta N-15) to test for differences in a population of green turtles nesting on Principe Island (1 degrees 37 ' N; 7 degrees 24'E), Central Africa. A total of 60 nesting females were sampled on the two main nesting beaches of the island in December 2012. Minimum curved carapace length (CCL) was recorded, and delta C-13 and delta N-15 values were measured in the epidermis of each individual. Overall, CCL varied from 87.0 to 108.0 cm (mean +/- SD =100.0 +/- 5.1), delta C-13 values from -19.4 to -8.6 parts per thousand (-17.3 +/- 1.8) and delta N-15 values from 7.9 to 17.3 parts per thousand (13.6 +/- 1.5). Despite the large variation in both isotopic ratios, their distributions were unimodal, showing an absence of polymorphic foraging strategies and isotopically distinct foraging areas. However, smaller females (< median, 100.8 cm) occupied a much larger isotopic niche (i.e., four times greater) than larger females. These results suggest that nesting green turtles may forage opportunistically on the resources available in each of their foraging home ranges, with smaller females venturing to more isotopic-diversified areas and/or exhibiting broader foraging strategies than larger females. In addition, and in accordance with other studies, findings suggest that the foraging grounds used by the Principe green turtle nesting females are distributed mainly throughout the Gulf of Guinea.
- The impact of breeding Yellow-Legged Gulls on vegetation cover and plant composition of Grey Dune habitatsPublication . Portela, Diogo; Pereira, Jorge M.; Cerveira, Lara R.; Paiva, Vitor H.; Ramos, Jaime A.The establishment of large populations of yellow-legged gull Larus michahellis in coastal and urban areas can lead to strong changes in vegetation cover and composition through creating physical disturbance in the vegetation and impacting the soil quality through defecation. In this study, we evaluated the effects of breeding yellow-legged gull populations on tall and short vegetation cover and plant species composition in old (occupied for 13 years) and new (occupied for 3 years) colony sites in grey dunes of the Algarve, southern Portugal. In each site, sampling plots were used to measure the percentage of vegetation cover in areas with and without breeding gulls. In the old colony site, the cover by tall vegetation was substantially reduced and the cover by short vegetation substantially increased in the areas where gulls are breeding in comparison with the adjacent areas. In the new colony sites, there were only minor differences. The increase in cover of short vegetation in the breeding area of the old colony site was mostly by nitrophilous species (Paronychia argentea and Malcolmia littorea) and should be explained by the decrease in vegetation cover of tall plant species and by feces deposition. Tall and slow-growing species Suaeda maritima and Helichrysum italicum covers were negatively affected. Our results showed that yellow-legged gulls affected vegetation cover and composition of grey dunes after 3 years of consecutive breeding, and this should be considered in the management of these habitats where breeding yellow-legged gulls are increasing.