ESR 37:55-76 (2018) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00916
REVIEW
Informing research priorities for immature sea turtles through expert elicitation
Natalie E. Wildermann1, Christian Gredzens1, Larisa Avens, Héctor A. Barrios-Garrido1, Ian Bell, Janice Blumenthal, Alan B. Bolten, Joanne Braun McNeill, Paolo Casale, Maikon Di Domenico, Camila Domit, Sheryan P. Epperly, Matthew H. Godfrey, Brendan J. Godley, Victoria González-Carman, Mark Hamann, Kristen M. Hart, Takashi Ishihara, Kate L. Mansfield, Tasha L. Metz, Jeffrey D. Miller, Nicolas J. Pilcher, Mark A. Read, Christopher Sasso, Jeffrey A. Seminoff, Erin E. Seney, Amanda Southwood Williard, Jesús Tomás, Gabriela M. Vélez-Rubio, Matthew Ware1, Jessica L. Williams, Jeanette Wyneken, Mariana M. P. B. Fuentes1,*
ABSTRACT: Although sea turtles have received substantial focus worldwide, research on the immature life stages is still relatively limited. The latter is of particular importance, given that a large proportion of sea turtle populations comprises immature individuals. We set out to identify knowledge gaps and identify the main barriers hindering research in this field. We analyzed the perceptions of sea turtle experts through an online survey which gathered their opinions on the current state of affairs on immature sea turtle research, including species and regions in need of further study, priority research questions, and barriers that have interfered with the advancement of research. Our gap analysis indicates that studies on immature leatherback Dermochelys coriacea and hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata turtles are lacking, as are studies on all species based in the Indian, South Pacific, and South Atlantic Oceans. Experts also perceived that studies in population ecology, namely on survivorship and demography, and habitat use/behavior, are needed to advance the state of knowledge on immature sea turtles. Our survey findings indicate the need for more inter-disciplinary research, collaborative efforts (e.g. data-sharing, joint field activities), and improved communication among researchers, funding bodies, stakeholders, and decision-makers.
KEY WORDS: Marine turtle · Juvenile turtle · Subadult turtle · Research priority · Management priority · Cheloniidae · Dermochelyidae
Full text in pdf format  Supplementary material | Cite this article as: Wildermann NE, Gredzens C, Avens L, Barrios-Garrido HA and others (2018) Informing research priorities for immature sea turtles through expert elicitation. Endang Species Res 37:55-76. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00916
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