Regional foraging areas of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) nesting at Aldabra Atoll: insights from stable isotopes and satellite telemetry

Green turtles nesting at Aldabra Atoll primarily forage along the East African coast (Tanzania and Somalia) or northern Madagascar, according to stable isotope analysis and satellite telemetry. This study, combining isotopic data from 90 turtles with nine satellite tracks, identified these two key foraging areas, revealing complex migration patterns in the Western Indian Ocean. While latitudinal isotopic patterns were absent, longitudinal variations in δ13C and δ15N were observed, offering new insights into turtle foraging ecology. The research highlights both the potential and limitations of stable isotope analysis for characterizing coastal foraging habitats under human pressure.

Sanchez, C. L., Casale, P., Bunbury, N., A’Bear, L., Bielsa, M., Jones, C. W., van Rooyen, M. C., Souyana, B., Fleischer-Dogley, F., & Ceriani, S. A. (2024). Regional foraging areas of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) nesting at Aldabra Atoll: insights from stable isotopes and satellite telemetry. Biodiversity and Conservation, 33(10), 2975–2993. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-024-02899-6