Abstract
We provide the raw data of 44 satellite-tracked loggerhead sea turtles from different life-stages collected between 2016 and 2018. Depending on life-stage and tag availability a different satellite tag was attached to the loggerhead carapace. Location data were collected using the Argos system. We made publically available for the first time in the Mediterranean: (i) the satellite-tracking data for 17 one-year-aged post-hatchlings of loggerhead sea turtle came from two nests laid on the Mediterranean Spanish coast; (ii) the satellite-tracking data for 4 loggerhead nesting females collected from nesting events occurred on the Spanish Mediterranean coast. Besides, another 23 juvenile and adult loggerhead sea turtles were monitored and their data were made also available. Our dataset provide the turtle identity name or number, the date and coordinates of the location data, and the Argos location class associated. Our data contribute to the knowledge about the spatial use of the loggerhead sea turtle in the Mediterranean Sea and could be used in further analysis regarding habitat use and dispersal of this species in the Mediterranean Sea. Specially, nesting females and post-hatchlings data contribute to shed light about these life-stages related to nesting events out of the usual nesting range in the western Mediterranean, for which data still remains scarce. Also, data could be compared to further similar research in satellite-tracking loggerhead sea turtles in the Mediterranean basin.
Keywords: Caretta caretta, Post-hatchlings, Juveniles, Adults, Nesting females, Satellite-tag, Argos, Monitoring
Specifications Table
Subject | Marine Biology |
Specific subject area | Loggerhead sea turtle satellite-tracking |
Type of data | Table |
How the data were acquired | Location data were obtained through Argos system by satellite-tagging loggerhead sea turtles of different life-stages. Turtles were released from western Mediterranean. Satellite-tracking data were recorded from 2016 to 2018. |
Data format | Raw |
Description of data collection | Data was retrieved from Argos system data as provided. |
Data source location | Region: Mediterranean Sea. Latitude and longitude for collected samples/data: 30–46 °N, 5.5°E–36 °W. Years: 2016-2018 |
Data accessibility | Repository name: EMODNet Biology. Data identification number:https://www.emodnet-ingestion.eu/submissions/submissions_details.php?menu=39&tpd=1041&step=001loggerheadAbalo-Morla S, Belda EJ, Crespo-Picazo JL (2022) “Satellite-tracking of loggerhead sea turtles tracked from western Mediterranean”. Direct URL to data:https://cloud.emodnet-ingestion.eu/index.php/s/wF4jn2ypDiAgJ2U |
Related research article | Co-submission:S. Abalo-Morla, E.J. Belda, D. March, O. Revuelta, L. Cardona, S. Giralt, J.L. Crespo-Picazo, S. Hochscheid, A. Marco, M. Merchán, R. Sagarminaga, Y. Swimmer, J. Tomás, Assessing the use of marine protected areas by loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) in the western Mediterranean. Global Ecology and Conservation, 38, e02196 [1]. |
Value of the Data
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This dataset is - to our best knowledge - the first satellite-tracking dataset publically available for both loggerhead post-hatchlings in the Mediterranean Sea and western Mediterranean nesting females.
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The dataset contribute to improve the knowledge about the spatial use of the loggerhead sea turtle in the Mediterranean Sea.
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The dataset can be used for habitat use estimation of loggerhead sea turtles at different life-stages: post-hatchlings, juveniles and adults.
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The results obtained in this research provide valuable information to be compared with other regions.
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The dataset is useful for researchers as well as for management agencies and governments implied in Mediterranean sea turtle conservation.
1. Data Description
The dataset collected include location data and the associated metadata for 44 loggerhead sea turtles satellite-tagged and released from western Mediterranean during 2016–2018. Dataset files are deposited in the EMODNet repository. The dataset consist of a table in .csv format which compiles the Argos raw data collected (a total of 26,582 locations) of 44 satellite-tracked loggerheads. This file specifies the turtle identity name or number, the date and location coordinates, and the Argos location class. The raw data are accompanied by a metadata file in an Excel format (.xls) which compiles other relevant attributes regarding each satellite-tracked loggerhead sea turtle: the turtle identity name or number, tag number, date of deployment, coordinates of deployment (in latitude and longitude), tag type, the tag manufacter, the scientific name, the life-stage, sea turtle carapace measurements, sea turtle weight, sea turtle gender (if available), type of capture, track duration, hatch date (if available), related project name (if available), implied institutions name and name of the researcher leader. Spreasdsheet 2 of the metadata file explains all metadata fields, including abbreviations.
2. Experimental Design, Materials and Methods
Prior to tag attachment each turtle was measured and weighted (if possible) and other relevant information was recorded in the metadata file. Life-stage classification was made according Straight Carapace Length (SCL) as following: post-hatchlings (< 24 cm straight carapace length, SCL); early juveniles (between 24 and 40 cm SCL), late juveniles (> 40–70 cm SCL) and adult-size turtles (> 70 cm SCL) [1]. One-year-aged post-hatchlings (n = 17) were collected from two different nesting events occurred on the Spanish Mediterranean coast [1] after being raised at a recovery center and were tagged ensuring that tags do not hinder behavior or turtle growth movements [2]. Four adult females were tagged after a nesting event (or nesting attempt) in the Mediterranean Spanish coast, avoiding in all cases disturbance prior the nesting event take place. Two two-year-aged early juveniles were collected from another nest laid in the Mediterranean Spanish coast [3]; however due to their age and size were classified as early juveniles. The remaining nineteen juveniles and two adult turtles proceeded from fisheries bycatch or entanglements and were tagged and released immediately after capture, or after full recovery in rescue centers, if needed, to minimize the possibility to be compromised (Table 1).
Table 1.
Satellite tracking data information by life stage. Turtle identity name or number (Turtle ID), straight carapace length (SCL, denoted by *) or curved carapace length (CCL, denoted by **), sex (M: male, F: female, U: unknown), type of capture (Nest: collected at nest, C: caught by hand for study, LL: longline bycatch and released, T: trawler bycatch, D: driftnet bycatch E: found entangled, RC: recovery at rescue centre, N: female after nesting event), deployment location, deployment date and total tracking days of each turtle.
Life stage | Turtle ID | SCL*/ CCL** (cm) | Sex | Type capture | Deployment location | EEZ release | Deployment date | Tracking days |
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Post-hatchlings (n = 17) | Cocedora | 17.5 * | U | Nest | 37.375 N, 1.636 W | Spain | 16/06/2016 | 82 |
Rabiosa | 17.5 * | U | Nest | 37.375 N, 1.636 W | Spain | 16/06/2016 | 83 | |
Pichirichi | 16.6 * | U | Nest | 37.375 N, 1.636 W | Spain | 16/06/2016 | 79 | |
Serena | 16.8 * | U | Nest | 37.375 N, 1.636 W | Spain | 16/06/2016 | 102 | |
Toby | 17.0 * | U | Nest | 37.375 N, 1.636 W | Spain | 28/09/2016 | 106 | |
Dora | 17.5 * | U | Nest | 37.375 N, 1.636 W | Spain | 28/09/2016 | 115 | |
Vendetta | 18.1 * | U | Nest | 37.375 N, 1.636 W | Spain | 28/09/2016 | 108 | |
Bonita | 17.5 * | U | Nest | 37.375 N, 1.636 W | Spain | 28/09/2016 | 123 | |
Benicarló | 21.0 * | U | Nest | 39.310 N, 0.290 W | Spain | 19/10/2017 | 152 | |
Borriana | 22.0 * | U | Nest | 39.310 N, 0.290 W | Spain | 19/10/2017 | 261 | |
Castelló | 22.2 * | U | Nest | 39.310 N, 0.290 W | Spain | 19/10/2017 | 264 | |
Cullera | 22.4 * | U | Nest | 39.310 N, 0.290 W | Spain | 19/10/2017 | 69 | |
Denia | 22.0 * | U | Nest | 39.310 N, 0.290 W | Spain | 19/10/2017 | 270 | |
Gandia | 22.3 * | U | Nest | 39.310 N, 0.290 W | Spain | 19/10/2017 | 291 | |
Santa Pola | 22.2 * | U | Nest | 39.310 N, 0.290 W | Spain | 19/10/2017 | 276 | |
Torrevieja | 22.8 * | U | Nest | 39.310 N, 0.290 W | Spain | 19/10/2017 | 337 | |
Vinarós | 23.0 * | U | Nest | 39.310 N, 0.290 W | Spain | 19/10/2017 | 269 | |
Early juveniles (n = 6) | 163348 | 37 0.1 * | U | T, RC | 39.010 N, 0.102 W | Spain | 10/04/2017 | 215 |
60624 | 31.6 * | U | RC | 37.579 N, 0993 W | Spain | 15/10/2018 | 82 | |
64584 | 29.0 * | U | RC | 37.579 N, 0993 W | Spain | 15/10/2018 | 92 | |
163910 | 25.6 * | U | Nest | 41.129 N, 1.302 E | Spain | 31/08/2016 | 123 | |
163909 | 29.1 * | U | Nest | 41.129 N, 1.302 E | Spain | 31/08/2016 | 37 | |
36539 | 37.0 * | U | RC | 41.129 N, 1.302 E | Spain | 03/07/2017 | 22 | |
Late juveniles (n = 15) | 163345 | 47.0 * | U | T, RC | 39.000 N, 0.108 W | Spain | 10/04/2017 | 223 |
163346 | 58.0 * | U | T, RC | 39.662 N, 0.205 W | Spain | 03/02/2017 | 36 | |
163347 | 50.0 * | U | T, RC | 39.310 N, 0.290 W | Spain | 07/01/2017 | 106 | |
163350 | 52.0 * | U | T, RC | 39 N, 0.108 W | Spain | 10/04/2017 | 44 | |
163351 | 48.0 * | U | T, RC | 39 N, 0.108 W | Spain | 10/04/2017 | 83 | |
163352 | 47.0 * | U | T, RC | 39 N, 0.108 W | Spain | 10/04/2017 | 59 | |
163353 | 40.0 * | U | T, RC | 38.639 N, 0.048 W | Spain | 26/01/2017 | 169 | |
163354 | 44.0 * | U | T, RC | 39.662 N, 0.205 W | Spain | 03/02/2017 | 265 | |
60611 | 48.0 * | U | RC | 39.310 N, 0.290 W | Spain | 05/07/2018 | 200 | |
66604 | 45.0 * | U | RC | 37.579 N, 0993 W | Spain | 19/11/2018 | 22 | |
64583 | 40.1 * | U | RC | 37.579 N, 0993 W | Spain | 15/10/2018 | 91 | |
62419 | 47.0 * | U | E, RC | 36.712 N, 2.191 W | Spain | 23/07/2018 | 24 | |
45951 | 44.0 * | U | D | 39 N, 0.108 W | Spain | 27/11/2017 | 79 | |
45952 | 45.0 * | U | T | 39 N, 0.108 W | Spain | 13/12/2017 | 49 | |
45950 | 40.8 * | U | D | 39 N, 0.108 W | Spain | 13/12/2017 | 63 | |
Adults (n = 6) | 60623 | 79.0 * | F | N | 40.025 N, 0.049 E | Spain | 01/07/2018 | 15 |
66605 | 71.0 ** | U | RC | 37.579 N, 0993 W | Spain | 16/12/2018 | 28 | |
164928 | 97.0 * | M | E, RC | 41.280 N, 2.090 E | Spain | 18/09/2016 | 75 | |
160303 | 61.0 ** | F | N | 41.280 N, 2.090 E | Spain | 24/06/2016 | 55 | |
33052 | 79.0 ** | F | N | 39.508 N, 0.321 W | Spain | 27/06/2018 | 87 | |
36422 | 80.0 ** | F | N | 37.912 N, 0.722 W | Spain | 09/07/2018 | 78 |
Depending on life-stage considered and tag availability a different type of satellite tag was attached to each loggerhead turtle carapace, as detailed in the metadata file. All platform transmitter terminals (PPT-tags) were attached using the method described in [3]. All SPOT and SPLASH tags were attached to turtles’ carapace using epoxy resin. All POP-UP tags were attached to the edge of the most posterior scales using a nylon through a drill-hole. In all cases, turtles were released close to the capture location, if possible. Location data were collected during 2016–2018 until stop transmission using the Argos system, which classifies seven location classes of decreasing accuracy (3, 2, 1, 0, A, B, Z) [4].
Ethics Statements
The authors declare that animals experiments complied with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) policies research involving species at risk of extinction, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention on the Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Therefore animals were treated according to all applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals. Animal ethics approval was granted by the Universitat Politècnica de València. The tagging of turtles was done after obtaining a permit from the regional and national Spain's Environmental Authorities (Generalitat Valenciana, Generalitat de Catalunya, Consejeria de Medio Ambiente y Ordenación del Territorio de la Junta de Andalucía, Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Medio Rural Marino). The coordinates provided in the dataset do not allow to locate nowadays the monitored individuals.
CRediT authorship contribution statement
Sara Abalo-Morla: Investigation, Writing – original draft, Validation, Data curation, Visualization, Writing – review & editing. Eduardo J. Belda: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Supervision, Writing – review & editing, Project administration, Funding acquisition. Jesús Tomás: Writing – review & editing. Jose Luis Crespo-Picazo: Resources. Adolfo Marco: Resources. Ohiana Revuelta: Writing – review & editing.
Declaration of Competing Interest
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by Universitat Politècnica de València, LIFE IP INTEMARES [28-5296], Spanish Ministry of Environment (MITECO) [16MNSV006]. The corresponding author, S. Abalo-Morla, was supported by a Ph.D. grant [FPU15/01823] from Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte (Spain). J. Tomás also acknowledges Project EU-LIFE MEDTURTLES and AICO/2021/022 granted by Conselleria d'Innovació, Universitats, Ciència i Societat Digital, Generalitat Valenciana. Funding for open access charge: Universitat Politècnica de València.
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