Stable isotopes used to infer trophic position of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) from Dry Tortugas National Park, Gulf of Mexico, United States

Evaluating resource use patterns for imperiled species is critical for understanding what supports their populations. Here we established stable isotope (delta C-13, delta N-15) values for the endangered green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) population found within the boundaries of Dry Tortugas National Park (DRTO), south Florida, USA. There is little gene flow between turtles sampled at DRTO and in other rookeries in Florida, underscoring the need to study this distinct population. Between 2008 and 2015 we collected multiple sample types (skin [homogenized epidermis/dermis], whole blood, red blood cells, plasma, carapace) from 151 unique green turtles, including 43 nesting females and 108 in-water captures; some individuals were resampled multiple times across years to evaluate consistency of isotope signatures. Isotopic ratios ranged from-27.3 to-5.4 for delta C-13 and 3.7 to 10.6 for delta N-15. Using linear mixed models, we evaluated covariates (sample type, turtle size and year) that best explained the isotope patterns observed in turtle tissues. Predictions from the top model for delta C-13 indicated a slight decrease over time and for delta N-15 a slight increase in the middle sampling years (2010-2012); results indicated that turtle size appeared to be the driver behind the range in delta C-13 and delta N-15 observed in turtle skin. We found a pattern in stable carbon isotope values that are indicative of an ontogenetic change from an omnivorous diet in smaller turtles to a seagrass-based diet in larger turtles. When we compared the stable carbon and nitrogen isotope values of the samples collected from turtles with that of seagrasses found in DRTO, we found that turtles > 65 cm SCL had similar stable carbon isotope values to the seagrass species present. Results of this study suggest stable isotope analysis coupled with data for available resources can be useful for tracking and detecting future changes in green turtle resource shifts in DRTO. (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

The study established stable isotope values for the endangered green sea turtle population in Dry Tortugas National Park and found that there were changes in isotope patterns over time. Results suggest that as the green turtles grow larger, their diet shifts from omnivorous to seagrass-based.