Metal tag loss in wild juvenile hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochels imbricata)

Abstract

Identification of individuals within a population is necessary for most behavioral and ecological studies of wild animals. For long lived animals, such as turtles, the ability to recognize and follow individuals over time provides critical information on aspects such as growth, survivorship, residency, and migration. A viriety of techniques and tags have been developed to mark individuals sea turtles, ranging from subcutaneous passive transponders to autografts of differentially pigmented issues (Balazs, 1999). The greatest challenge in marking sea turtles is durability and readability of the tag over the lifespan of individuals, which can cover decades and involve a great amount of growth. Tag loss can affect estimates of population size, survivorship, and other demographic calculations (Frazer, 1983).