Migratory corridors of adult female Kemp's ridley turtles in the Gulf of Mexico

摘要: Abstract For many marine species, locations of migratory pathways are not well defined. We used satellite telemetry and switching state-space modeling (SSM) to define the corridor by Kemp's ridley turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) in Gulf Mexico. The were tagged after nesting at Padre Island National Seashore, Texas, USA from 1997 2014 (PAIS; n = 80); Rancho Nuevo, Tamaulipas, Mexico 2010 2011 (RN; n = 14); Tecolutla, Veracruz, 2012 2013 (VC; n = 13); Shores, Alabama, during (GS; n = 1). lies nearshore waters with mean water depth 26 m a distance 20 km nearest mainland coast. Migration beach is short phenomenon that occurs late-May through August, peak June. There was spatial similarity post-nesting for different over 16 year period. Thus, our results indicate these represent critical habitat this species. However, there gap understanding other species return foraging grounds beaches. Therefore, highlight need tracking reproductive individuals Continued adult females PAIS, RN, VC beaches will allow further study environmental bathymetric components threats occurring within defined corridor. Furthermore, existence both demonstrates international cooperation necessary protect essential imperiled