title: Coastal habitat degradation and green sea turtle diets in Southeastern Brazil.
abstract: To show the influence of coastal habitat degradation on the availability of food for green turtles (Chelonia mydas), we assessed the dietary preferences and macroalgae community at a feeding area in a highly urbanized region. The area showed low species richness and was classified as degraded. We examined stomach contents of 15 dead stranded turtles (CCL=44.0cm (SD 6.7cm)). The diet was composed primarily of green algae Ulva spp. (83.6%). In contrast, the macroalgae community was dominated by the green alga Caulerpa mexicana. We found a selection for red algae, seagrass and Ulva spp., and avoidance for C. mexicana and brown alga Dictyopteris delicatula. The low diversity of available food items, possibly a result of environmental degradation, likely contributed to the low dietary diversity. The nutritional implications of this restricted diet are unclear.
authors: Departamento de Oceanografia e Ecologia, CCHN, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, 29075-910 Vitória, ES, Brazil. robsongsantos@gmail.com
authors: Robson G
authors: RG
authors: Santos
authors: Agnaldo Silva
authors: AS
authors: Martins
authors: Julyana da Nobrega
authors: Jda N
authors: Farias
authors: Paulo Antunes
authors: PA
authors: Horta
authors: Hudson Tercio
authors: HT
authors: Pinheiro
authors: Evelise
authors: E
authors: Torezani
authors: Cecília
authors: C
authors: Baptistotte
authors: Jeffrey A
authors: JA
authors: Seminoff
authors: George H
authors: GH
authors: Balazs
authors: Thierry M
authors: TM
authors: Work
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D001938:Brazil; D000460:Chlorophyta / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development; D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D012624:Seaweed / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development; D014426:Turtles / Q000254:growth & development*; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*