Epibionts associated to juvenile green turtle (Chelonia mydas) in a foraging and developmental area, Cerro Verde, Uruguay. Marine turtles commonly carry diverse and numerous forms of epizoa. These organisms can only colonize the turtle when both distribution ranges overlap, Is in this way that turtle’s territory could be reflected in the epibiota assemblage being an important tool for analyzing their movements. Cerro Verde, Uruguay, is one of the most important foraging and developmental area for the endangered green turtle, Chelonia mydas, in Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. It has been highlighted as essential for the protection of the juvenile stage of this specie and is in process for being included as the first Protected Area by the Uruguayan Protected Areas National System (P.A.N.S). Previous studies have suggested the possibility of brumation during winter months as a response to low temperatures, favoring the development of an epibiota similar to the typical hard bottom communities of this area. The aim of this research is to characterize the epibiotic assemblage and analyze the permanence of the turtles in the area during cold months. Firstly identify the organisms to the lowest taxonomic level as possible, secondly determinate the distribution patterns upon the turtle’s body and thirdly compare the assemblage with those founded in adjacent areas. Three hypotheses will be tested: the different epibiont species are distributed randomly over the turtle’s body, occurrence frequencies don’t differ along the year, epibiota at late spring is mainly local and foreign species frequencies are higher in late summer compared with late spring. Epibiont samples will be taken from turtles captured at the area (Cerro Verde, Coronilla´s Islands and Punta Coronilla), stranded or those coming from incidental capture by the artisanal fishery in adjacent zones (from Punta del Diablo up to Barra del Chuy). A photograph analysis will be carry out in order to study the distribution patterns and abundance of the epibiota. Significant differences between species or taxa distribution over the turtle’s body is expected, a differential distribution upon carapace areas and variability between occurrence frequencies mainly in facultative epibionts. Is expected that turtles who spend winter months in the area will hold an important epibiotic load as well as a distinctive specific composition characterized by primarily local species. A systematic and standardized study of these multispecific assemblages and their dynamics of development will help to explain us not only the relationship between hosts and epibiota, but also it will contribute to the identification of epibiont species with discrete range of geographical distribution, which could be use as a tool to clarify diverse unknown aspects referred to the turtles movements, habitat preference, activity, and other aspects of their life history, which are essential in order to decide the strategies for the protection of the green turtle in this critical area. More information: Luciana Alonso, aloluciana@gmail.com Karumbe.org

Support this project Ideawild