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Flatback turtle (Natator depressus) nesting at Field Island, Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia, 1990-2001

Schäuble, Chloe S., Kennett, Rod M. and Winderlich, Steven (2006). Flatback turtle (Natator depressus) nesting at Field Island, Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia, 1990-2001. Chelonian Conservation and Biology,5(2):188-194.

Document type: Journal Article
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Title Flatback turtle (Natator depressus) nesting at Field Island, Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia, 1990-2001
Author Schäuble, Chloe S.
Kennett, Rod M.
Winderlich, Steven
Journal Name Chelonian Conservation and Biology
Publication Date 2006
Volume Number 5
Issue Number 2
ISSN 1071-8443   (check CDU catalogue open catalogue search in new window)
Scopus ID 2-s2.0-33846148978
Start Page 188
End Page 194
Total Pages 7
Place of Publication United States of America
Publisher Chelonian Research Foundation
Field of Research BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Abstract Field Island in Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia, supports a nesting population of flatback turtles (Natator depressus) monitored since 1990. We summarize 9 years of survey data for this location and make recommendations for future research. At least 221 nesting flatbacks were tagged at Field Island between 1990 and 2001. Nightly emergence rates indicate that Field Island is a locally and regionally important rookery for flatbacks with no other species recorded nesting. The mean interseasonal remigration period was 2.82 years. Female flatbacks laid clutches of similar sizes to those reported for other Australian rookeries, but nests tended to be deeper than those on nearby mainland beaches. No evidence of size decline (curved carapace length) occurred over the years, and mean curved carapace length was similar to those observed at other nesting rookeries. The amount of biological information now available for the Field Island rookery and the number of nesting turtles already tagged makes it valuable as an index site for flatback turtles in northern Australia.
Keywords Australia
Cheloniidae
Clutch size
Kakadu National Park
Natator depressus
Nest depth
Nesting
Reptilia
Sea turtle
Tagging
Testudines
DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.2744/1071-8443(2006)5[188:FTNDNA]2.0.CO;2   (check subscription with CDU E-Gateway service for CDU Staff and Students  check subscription with CDU E-Gateway in new window)
 
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Created: Fri, 29 Aug 2014, 18:35:17 CST by Anthony Hornby