Home range and movements of juvenile Atlantic green turtles (Chelonia mydas L.) on shallow reef habitats in Palm Beach, Florida, United States of America

This study's objectives were to determine if coastal (shallow-water, oceanic reef) aggregations of juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas L.) in Palm Beach, Florida occupied distinct home ranges and how these home ranges compared in size and resource availability with those studied elsewhere. Six immature green turtles were captured, measured, and subjected to esophageal lavage to determine diet. Each turtle was returned to its initial capture site within 24 h with an ultrasonic transmitter used to track movements. All turtles were <65 cm SCL, had ingested similar macroalgae, and occupied markedly small home ranges (mean = 2.38 +/- 1.78 km 2), largely restricted to the reef itself. Diving and feeding activity peaked during the day; at night, activity was minimal. The food and sleeping site resource distribution at this specific location coincides with the turtles' home range size and shape, with considerable overlap of core areas.