Hawksbill Turtles in Seagrass Beds
Carlos E. Diez1, Ximena Vélez-Zuazo2 & Robert P. van Dam2
1
Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales. P.O. Box 906600, San Juan, PR 00906-6000
(E-mail: cediez@caribe.net) 2Chelonia Inc. P.O. Box 9020708, San Juan, PR 00902-0708
(E-mail: xvz_1974@yahoo.com & rpvandam@yahoo.com)
Coral reefs are often reported as prime habitat of
the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata; Carr &
Stancyk 1975; León & Mota 1996). Several authors
(Van Dam & Diez 1996 & 1998; Witzell 1983) have
described sparse hard-bottom communities, cliff-wall
habitats with soft corals and invertebrates as important
benthic developmental habitat for hawksbills. Other
studies (Andares & Uchida 1994; Limpus 1992; Van
Dam & Diez 1997b; Vicente & Carballeira 1991) also
indicate the hawksbill’s preference for coral reef
ecosystems. Such habitat characterizations have led to
area estimates of potential habitat for hawksbill turtles
using the distribution of coral reefs (Buitrago & Guada
2002; Meylan et al. 1997; Prieto et al. 2001). Some
researchers, however, have also reported occasional
hawksbill sightings in other habitats, such as lagoons
with seagrass areas in the Bahamas (Bjorndal & Bolten
1988).
A similar pattern has often been observed with green
turtles (Chelonia mydas). For example, aggregations
of this species, which are usually associated with
seagrass beds as their main feeding grounds, are also
reported on coral reefs (Balazs 1979; Hirth 1992). As
with green turtles, it is probable that hawksbill turtles
frequently use habitats other than coral reefs for feeding
and development. Here we report on the results of a
preliminary in-water survey for marine turtles conducted
on June 2003, along the southeast coast of the
Dominican Republic, where we encountered a
significant aggregation of juvenile hawksbill turtles in a
shallow seagrass habitat.
Manglar Study Site is located at Saona Island on
the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic (fig. 1).
This site is characterized by seagrass beds protected
by a reef breaker forming a lagoon, where water depth
ranges from 0.5 to 2 meters. The dominant seagrass
species are turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum) and
manatee grass (Syringodium filiforme). Several
species of algae (i.e. Halimeda incrasssata, Penicillus
dumetosus and Udotea flabellum), and small colonies
of corals (i.e. Monastrea sp.and Diploria sp.) were
also found at scattered locations throughout the area
(Vega et al. 1997, pers.obs.). The chicken-liver sponge
(Chondrilla nucula) was also found encrusted among
the turtle grass.
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Visual turtle surveys at the Manglar study site were
conducted with four observers using a small boat and
slowly navigating parallel to the shore. On some
occasions we made attempts to catch sighted turtles.
This was mostly accomplished by following a sighted
animal until it tired and then by diving onto it from the
bow of the boat (following Ehrhart & Ogren 1999).
The survey transects start and end points, and turtle
capture locations were recorded using a GPS receiver.
The relative sighting frequency (RSF) of sea turtles
at the Manglar site was evaluated by dividing the number
of turtles captured or sighted by the time spent
surveying, with surveys typically lasting one hour for a
total of three sessions. One session was conducted
during morning hours and two sessions in the afternoon,
for two days. The estimated size of all turtles was
recorded together with species. All turtles handled were
measured, weighed and marked on both front flippers
with 681c style inconel tags. Individuals were also
checked for the presence of internal passive integrated
transponder (PIT) tags.
A total of 23 hawksbills and four green turtles were
sighted during the boat surveys totaling three hours.
Nine of the 27 turtles were captured. The resulting
mean RSF for Manglar is 7.7 hawksbills per hour. The
size range of the hawksbills captured was 29 to 41 cm
curved carapace length (nuchal notch to posteriormost
tip; CCLn-t; n=8), and sighted turtles were all estimated
to be from 25 to 50 cm carapace length. Four green
turtles were seen and one captured (measuring 33.3
cm CCLn-t). All green turtles observed were thought
to be approximately 30 cm CCL.
Although our survey at Saona Island was far from
complete, we note that a significant number of juvenile
turtles are present, and specifically that hawksbill turtles
inhabit this seagrass community. Whereas other reports
of sporadic hawksbills residing in seagrass habitats exist,
we believe the Manglar site is one of the first
documented seagrass communities demonstrating a
large abundance of hawksbill turtles. The high RSF of
hawksbills recorded compares with study sites of
important aggregations of this species. For example, a
catch per unit effort of 3.4 and 4.7 hawksbills per hour
have been recorded at Mona-Monito Island and Jaragua,
Dominican Republic, respectively (Diez & Van Dam
2001; León & Diez 1999). We regard that this area is a
developmental habitat, from the size range of turtles
observed and captured in the area. Even though we did
not conduct stomach content analyses, we speculate
that these hawksbills are feeding on sponges such as
chicken liver sponge (C. nucula), which is a common
prey item for Caribbean juvenile hawksbills elsewhere
(Andares & Uchida 1994; Leon & Bjorndal 2002;
Meylan 1988; Van Dam & Diez 1997a).
In conclusion, juvenile hawksbill turtles living in
habitats other than coral reefs may be more common
than suspected. Further examination of other benthic
communities for the presence of hawksbill turtles may
widen the scope of characteristic habitats recognized
for this species in the Caribbean. We caution that not
only the most characteristic habitat type should be
examined in any determination of the conservation status
of sea turtle species.
Figure 1. Map of surveyed area at Saona Island, Parque Nacional del Este, Dominican Republic.
Marine Turtle Newsletter No. 102, 2003 - Page 9
Acknowledgements: To all the staff of Ecoparque, Inc. and
the Comandancia de la Marina de Guerra de Bayahibe, Rep.
Dominicana for the logistical and human support provided
in the field. We would like to especially thank Kelvin Guerrero
and our field assistants: Pedro Javier Santana, Félix Soto,
Bienvenido, Chichi, El Negro Milady and El Toro. Also, we
want to thanks Matilde Mota from the Ministerio del Medio
Ambiente de la República Dominicana for arranging the
research permit and Karen Bjorndal for kindly reviewing this
manuscript. Project support came from Japan Bekko
Association, Ecoparque Inc., Chelonia, Inc., and
Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales de
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