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Epibiotic barnacles and crabs as indicators of Caretta caretta distribution and movements in the Mediterranean Sea

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 October 2004

Paolo Casale
Affiliation:
Via Antonio Calderara 29, I-00125 Roma, Italy
Daniela Freggi
Affiliation:
Sea Turtle Rescue Centre WWF Italia, CP 92010 Lampedusa, Italy
Roberto Basso
Affiliation:
Museo Civico Storia Naturale del Po, via Roma 4, Ostellato, Italy
Roberto Argano
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Biologia Animale e dell'Uomo, Università ‘La Sapienza’, I-00185 Roma, Italy

Abstract

The occurrence of barnacles and crabs on Caretta caretta specimens found in the waters around Italy was analysed. In the seas surrounding Italy balanomorph barnacles occur mainly on turtles frequenting shallow waters and crabs display a strong west–east gradient. Patterns of turtle distribution and movements are proposed. The abundance of turtle-specific barnacles may be dependent on, and so an indicator of, turtle density.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2004 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

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