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Research

Conservation

We conserve the world’s most imperiled populations of sea turtles through research, habitat protection, education and advocacy.

How?

We develop integrated conservation strategies that link research questions to management needs, raise awareness and provide scientific data to inform sound policies to protect turtles.

Goldring-Gund Marine Biology Station

The Goldring-Gund Marine Biology Station is located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica in Las Baulas National Park. The station serves as headquarters for TLT’s research on East Pacific turtle populations.

With space to accommodate up to 24 researchers at a time, Goldring-Gund Station provides an important hub for Costa Rican and international scientists. The Station also hosts students from middle and secondary schools in the United States and Costa Rica in field-based learning programs. Earthwatch volunteers based at the station contribute to TLT’s nesting beach research and monitoring efforts.

Goldring-Gund Marine Biology Station researchers provide nesting turtles with identification tags to measure their reproductive output and determine population size. TLT scientists have tracked the reproductive output of leatherback, olive ridley and black turtles nesting at Playa Grande since 1993. We monitor nests to understand how sea turtle eggs develop and what factors lead to the highest output of healthy hatchlings.

© Kip Evans Photography | Mission Blue

Learning more about where turtles go at different life stages, is essential to conserving endangered species, such as leatherbacks. Identifying seasonal and spatial patterns also enables conservationists to advance protections, such as fisheries closures along migration corridors during particular months of the year.

We know that climate change presents a looming threat to sea turtles. TLT scientists have noted that higher beach temperatures are resulting in more female hatchlings than males. Applied research enables scientists to experiment with methods to mitigate the effects of climate change. Our researchers and volunteers in Costa Rica are examining how climate change affects sea turtle nesting success and investigating whether cooling nests with shade or water during periods of excessive heat can help balance hatchling sex ratios.

© Brian Skerry | BrianSkerry.com

TLT researchers also study the physiology and behavior of sea turtles by conducting metabolic, respiratory, hormonal and genetic tests. One of TLT’s founding scientists, Dr. Frank Paladino, discovered that leatherbacks use their large size to stay warm in colder waters and avoid overheating in tropical climates.

TLT believes strong science informs sound management. We provide our research findings to government leaders and national park officials to help inform conservation policy and management decisions. Once informed conservation strategies are implemented, we monitor their progress.

Photo: TLT scientists study the “lost years”, a 10-15 year period after hatching before turtles return to nest.

© Jason Bradley | BradleyPhotographic.com
© Jason Bradley | BradleyPhotographic.com

Books

The Leatherback Trust’s approach to conservation grounded in scientific research is demonstrated in a vast array of books, journal articles, scholarly texts and management reports.

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Sea Turtles: A Complete Guide to Their Biology, Behavior, and Conservation

Spotila, J. R. 2004. Sea Turtles: A Complete Guide to Their Biology, Behavior and Conservation. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD. 228pp.

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Saving Sea Turtles: Extraordinary Stories from the Battle against Extinction

Spotila, J. R. 2004. Sea Turtles: A Complete Guide to Their Biology, Behavior and Conservation. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD. 228pp.

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9781421417080

The Leatherback Turtle

Spotila, J.R. and Santidrián Tomillo, P. (eds) 2015. Biology and Conservation of Leatherback Turtles. 2015. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD. 228pp.

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2024

Matthew L. Rutledge, Frank V. Paladino, James R. Spotila, Pilar Santidrián Tomillo

Received: 14 November 2023 / Accepted: 19 February 2024
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2024

Wenlei Bi, Songrui Liu2, Michael P. O’Connor, Jacob R. Owens, Marc T. Valitutto, Rong Hou, Dunwu Qi2, Lee-Ann Collins Hayek5, Fanqi Wu, Rui Ma2, Jiabin Liu, Yanshan Zhou, Long Zhang, Ramana Callan, Li Luo, Wenjun Huang, Zhihe Zhang and James R. Spotila

2023

Robinson, N.J., Aguzzi, J., Arias, S., Gatto, C., Mills, S.K., Monte, A., Andrews, L.S., Yaney-Keller, A. and Tomillo, P.S., 2023. Global trends in sea turtle research and conservation: Using symposium abstracts to assess past biases and future opportunities. Global Ecology and Conservation, 47, p.e02587.

Clyde-Brockway, C.E., Heidemeyer, M., Giry, M., Paladino, F.V., Mora, R., Mora, M., Mora, R., and Flaherty, E.A. 2023. A male East-Pacific green turtle that associates with small fishing boats and eats fish. Marine Turtle Newsletter 166: 10–13.

Fuentes, M.M., McMichael, E., Kot, C.Y., Silver-Gorges, I., Wallace, B.P., Godley, B.J., Brooks, A.M., Ceriani, S.A., Cortés-Gómez, A.A., Dawson, T.M. and Dodge, K.L., 2023. Key issues in assessing threats to sea turtles: knowledge gaps and future directions. Endangered Species Research, 52, pp.303-341.

Fuentes, M.M.P.B., Santos, A.J.B., Abreu‐Grobois, A., Briseño‐Dueñas, R., Al‐Khayat, J., Hamza, S., Saliba, S., Anderson, D., Rusenko, K.W., Mitchell, N.J. and Gammon, M., 2024. Adaptation of sea turtles to climate warming: Will phenological responses be sufficient to counteract changes in reproductive output?. Global Change Biology, 30(1), p.e16991.

Mills, S.K., Rotger, A., Brooks, A.M., Paladino, F.V. and Robinson, N.J., 2023. Photo identification for sea turtles: Flipper scales more accurate than head scales using APHIS. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 566, p.151923.

Mills, S.K., Rotger, A., Brooks, A.M., Paladino, F.V. and Robinson, N.J., 2023. Photo identification for sea turtles: Flipper scales more accurate than head scales using APHIS. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 566, p.151923.

Tomillo, P.S., Pujol, F., Félix, G., Núñez-Reyes, V., Saba, V., Tomás, J. and Marco, A., 2023. Colonization of new nesting areas could provide climate refuge to loggerhead turtles under climate change. Biological Conservation, 284, p.110146.

2022

Clyde-Brockway, C.E., Heidemeyer, M., Paladino, F.V. and Flaherty, E.A., 2022. Diet and foraging niche flexibility in green and hawksbill turtles. Marine Biology, 169(8), p.108.

Robinson, N.J., Sanfèlix, M.M., Blanco, G.S., Clyde-Brockway, C., Hill, J.E., Paladino, F.V., Tomás, J. and Tomillo, P.S., 2022. Effect of water temperature on the duration of the internesting interval across sea turtle species. Journal of Thermal Biology, 110, p.103342.

Santidrián Tomillo, P., 2022. When population-advantageous primary sex ratios are female-biased: changing concepts to facilitate climate change management in sea turtles. Climatic Change, 175(3-4), p.15.

Veelenturf, C.A., Sinclair, E.M., Leopold, P., Paladino, F.V. and Honarvar, S., 2022. The effects of nest location and beach environment on hatching success for leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) and green (Chelonia mydas) sea turtles on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea. Marine Biology, 169(5), p.56.

Yaney-Keller, A., Santidrián-Tomillo, P., Jordan, M.A., Lopez-Navas, J.F. and Paladino, F.V., 2022. Patterns of vertebrate biodiversity in a tropical dry and mangrove forest matrix. Revista de Biología Tropical, 70(1), pp.668-687.

2021

Bandimere, A., Paladino, F.V., Spotila, J.R., Panagopoulou, A., Diéguez-Uribeondo, J. and Tomillo, P.S., 2021. Effects of egg mass and local climate on morphology of East Pacific leatherback turtle Dermochelys coriacea hatchlings in Costa Rica. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 669, pp.191-200.

Clyde-Brockway, C.E., Ferreira, C.R., Flaherty, E.A. and Paladino, F.V., 2021. Lipid profiling suggests species specificity and minimal seasonal variation in Pacific Green and Hawksbill Turtle plasma. Plos one, 16(7), p.e0253916.

Ramírez, H., Valverde-Cantillo, V. and Tomillo, P.S., 2021. El Niño events and chlorophyll levels affect the reproductive frequency but not the seasonal reproductive output of east Pacific green turtles. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 659, pp.237-246.

Robinson, N.J., García-Párraga, D., Stacy, B.A., Blanco, G.S., Clyde-Brockway, C.E., Costidis, A., Haas, H.L., Harms, C., Patel, S.H., Stacy, N.I., Fahlman, A. 2021. A baseline model to estimate risk of gas embolism in sea turtles during routine dives. Frontiers in Physiology, section Aquatic Physiology: 1285.

St. Andrews, L.C., Hoefer, S., Boyd, L., Paladino, F.V. and Robinson, N.J., 2021. Healing of Skin Biopsies in Wild Juvenile Green Turtles, Chelonia mydas. Chelonian Conservation and Biology: Celebrating 25 Years as the World’s Turtle and Tortoise Journal, 20(2), pp.300-303.

Tomillo, P.S., Wallace, B.P., Paladino, F.V., Spotila, J.R. and Genovart, M., 2021. Short-term gain, long-term loss: How a widely-used conservation tool could further threaten sea turtles. Biological Conservation, 261, p.109260.

2020

“Enhanced, coordinated conservation efforts required to avoid extinction of critically endangered Eastern Pacific leatherback turtles.” Scientific Reports 10, no. 1 (2020): 4772.

Gatto, C.R., Robinson, N.J., Spotila, J.R., Paladino, F.V. and Santidrián Tomillo, P., 2020. Body size constrains maternal investment in a small sea turtle species. Marine Biology, 167(12), p.182.

Mettler, E.K., Clyde-Brockway, C.E., Sinclair, E.M., Paladino, F.V. and Honarvar, S., 2020. Determining critical inter-nesting, migratory, and foraging habitats for the conservation of East Atlantic green turtles (Chelonia mydas). Marine Biology, 167(8), p.106.

Ortiz-Alvarez, C., Pajuelo, M., Grados, D., Abrego, M.E., Rebeca Barragan-Rocha, A., Barrantes, M., Cotto Sánchez, A., Fonseca, L.G., Gadea Espinal, V., Mangel, J.C. and Rguez-Baron, J.M., 2020. Rapid assessments of leatherback small-scale fishery bycatch in internesting areas in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Frontiers in Marine Science, 6, p.813.

Ortiz-Alvarez, C.A., Pajuelo, M., Grados, D., Abrego, M.E., Barragán-Rocha, A.R., Barrantes, M., Cotto, A., Fonseca, L., Gadea Espinal, V., Mangel, J.C., Rguez-Baron, J.M., Santidrián Tomillo, P., Sarti, L., Santana-Hernández, H., Shillinger, G.L., Prado, M., Wallace, B.P., Williard, A.S., Zavala-Norzagaray, A.A. and Alfaro Shigueto, J. 2020. Rapid assessments of leatherback small-scale fishery bycatch in interesting areas in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Frontiers in Marine Science. In Press.

Santidrián Tomillo, P., Fonseca, L.G., Ward, M., Tankersley, N., Robinson, N.J., Orrego, C.M., Paladino, F.V. and Saba, V.S. 2020. The impacts of extreme El Niño events on sea turtle nesting populations. Climatic Change. In Press. 

Santidrián Tomillo, P., Fonseca, L.G., Ward, M., Tankersley, N., Robinson, N.J., Orrego, C.M., Paladino, F.V. and Saba, V.S., 2020. The impacts of extreme El Niño events on sea turtle nesting populations. Climatic Change, 159(2), pp.163-176.

Silver-Gorges, I., Koval, J., Rodriguez-Zarate, C.J., Paladino, F.V. and Jordan, M., 2020. Large-scale connectivity, cryptic population structure, and relatedness in Eastern Pacific Olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea). Ecology and Evolution, 10(16), pp.8688-8704.

Veelenturf, C.A., Sinclair, E.M., Paladino, F.V. and Honarvar, S., 2020. Predicting the impacts of sea level rise in sea turtle nesting habitat on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea. Plos One, 15(7), p.e0222251.

Vindas-Picado, J., Yaney-Keller, A., St. Andrews, L., Panagopoulou, A. and Santidrián Tomillo, P., 2020. Effectiveness of shading to mitigate the impact of high temperature on sea turtle clutches considering the effect on primary sex ratios. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 25(8), pp.1509-1521.

2019

Clyde-Brockway, C., Robinson, N.J., Blanco, G.S., Morreale, S.J., Spotila, J.R., Tomillo, P.S. and Paladino, F.V., 2019. Local variation in the Internesting behavior of green turtles in the Gulf of Papagayo, Costa Rica. Chelonian Conservation and Biology: Celebrating 25 Years as the World’s Turtle and Tortoise Journal, 18(2), pp.217-230.

Martínez-Abraín, A., Santidrián Tomillo, P. and Veiga, J. 2019. Otter diet changes in a reservoir during a severe autumn drought. Journal of Mammalogy. In Press.

Martínez-Abraín, A., Santidrián Tomillo, P., Mouriño, J., Tenan, S. and Oro, D. 2019. Delayed predator-prey collapses: the case of black-legged kittiwakes and Iberian sardines. Marine Ecology Progress Series 631:201-207.

McKenna, L.N., Paladino, F.V., Santidrián Tomillo, P. and Robinson, N.J. 2019. Do sea turtles vocalize to synchronize hatching or nest emergence? Copeia 107:120-123.

Mettler, E., Clyde-Brockway, C.E., Honarvar, S. and Paladino, F.V., 2019. Migratory corridor linking Atlantic green turtle, Chelonia mydas, nesting site on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea to Ghanaian foraging grounds. Plos one, 14(6), p.e0213231.

Montero, N., Santidrián Tomillo, P., Saba, V., Marcovaldi, M.A.G., López-Mendilaharsu, M., Santos, A.S., and Fuentes, M.M.P.B. 2019. Effects of local climate on loggerhead hatchling production in Brazil: implications from climate change. Scientific Reports 9:8861.

Robinson, N.J., Lazo-Wasem, E.M., Butler, B.O., Lazo-Wasem, E.A., Zardus, J.D. and Pinou, T. 2019. Spatial distribution of epibionts on olive ridley sea turtles at Playa Ostional, Costa Rica. PLoS ONE 14:e0218838.

Valverde-Cantillo, V., Robinson, N.J. and Santidrián Tomillo, P. 2019. Influence of oceanographic conditions on nesting abundance, phenology and internesting periods of east Pacific green turtles. Marine Biology 166:93.

Williamson, S.A., Evans, R.G., Robinson, N.J. and Reina, R.D. 2019. Synchronised nesting aggregations are associated with enhanced capacity for extended embryonic arrest in olive ridley sea turtles. Scientific Reports 9:9783.

Yaney-Keller, A., Santidrián Tomillo, P., Marshall, J.M. and Paladino, F.V. 2019. Using unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to assay mangrove estuaries on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. PloS ONE 14(6): e0217310.

2018

Cruz, L.M., Shillinger, G.L., Robinson, N.J., Santidrián Tomillo, P. and Paladino, F.V. 2018. Effect of light intensity and wavelength on the in-water orientation of olive ridley turtle hatchlings. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 505:52-56.

Farlow, J.O., Robinson, N.J., Kumagai, C.J., Paladino, F.V., Falkingham, P.L., Elsey, R.M. and Martin, A.J. 2018. Trackways of the American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) in Northwestern Costa Rica: Implications for Crocodylian Ichnology. Ichnos 25:30-65..

Heidemeyer, M., Delgado-Trejo, C., Hart, C.E., Clyde-Brockway, C., Fonseca, L.G., Mora, R., Mora, M., Lara, A., and Obando, R. 2018. Long-term in-water recaptures of adult Black Turtles (Chelonia mydas) provide implications for flipper tagging methods in the Eastern Pacific. Herpetological Review 49(4): 652–656..

Heidemeyer, M., Delgado-Trejo, C., Hart, C.E., Clyde-Brockway, C., Fonseca, L.G., Mora, R., Mora, M., Lara, A., and Obando, R. 2018. Long-term in-water recaptures of adult Black Turtles (Chelonia mydas) provide implications for flipper tagging methods in the Eastern Pacific. Herpetological Review 49(4): 652–656.

Hill, J.E., King, C.M., Stewart, K.R., Paladino, F.V. and Dutton, P.H., 2018. Genetic differentiation of hawksbill turtle rookeries on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 17(2), pp.303-308.

Robinson, N.J. and Peters, W.S. 2018. Complexity of the prey spectrum of Agaronia propatula (Caenogastropoda: Olividae), a dominant predator in sandy beach ecosystems of Pacific Central America. Peer J 6:e4714.

Swiggs, J., Paladino, F.V., Spotila, J.R. and Santidrián Tomillo P. 2018. Depth of the drying front and temperature affect emergence of leatherback turtles. Marine Biology 165:1-10.

2017

Hill, J. E., N. J. Robinson, C. M. King, F. V. Paladino. 2017. Diving Behavior and Thermal Habitats of Gravid Hawksbill Turtles at St. Croix, USA. Marine Biology 164:17.

DOI: 10.1007/s00227-016-3050-4​

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Hoover, A.L., Shillinger, G.L., Swiggs, J. and Bailey, H. 2017. Comparing Acoustic Tag Attachments Designed for Mobile Tracking of Hatchling Sea Turtles. Frontiers in Marine Science 4:225.

Robinson, N. J., F. V. Paladino, and P. Santidrián Tomillo. 2017. Evidence of a Green Turtle Starting its Post-nesting Migration Without Laying all its Vitellogenic Follicles. Marine Turtle Newsletter 152:8-10.

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Robinson, N. J., K. R. Stewart, P. H. Dutton, R. Nel, F. V. Paladino, and P. Santidrián Tomillo. 2017. Standardising Curved Carapace Length Measurements for Leatherback Turtles, Dermochelys coriacea, to Investigate Global Patterns in Body Size. Herpetological Journal 26:133–136.

Robinson, N.J., Figgener, C., Gatto, C., Lazo-Wasem, E.A., Paladino, F.V., Santidrián Tomillo, P., Zardus, J.D. and Pinou, T. 2017. Assessing potential limitations when characterising the epibiota of marine megafauna: effect of gender, sampling location, and inter-annual variation on the epibiont communities of olive ridley sea turtles. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 497:71-77.

Robinson, N.J., Morreale, S.J., Nel, R. and Paladino F.V. Movements and diving behavior of inter-nesting leatherback turtles in an oceanographically dynamic habitat in South Africa. 2017. Marine Ecology Progress Series 571, 221-232.

Santidrián Tomillo, P., Fonseca, L., Paladino, F.V., Spotila, J.R. and Oro, D. 2017. Are thermal barriers “higher” in deep sea turtle nests? PloS ONE 12(5):e0177256.

Santidrián Tomillo, P., Robinson, N.J., Fonseca, L.G., Quirós-Pereira, W., Arauz, R., Beange, M., Piedra, R., Vélez, E., Paladino, F.V., Spotila, J.R. and Wallace, B.P. 2017. Secondary nesting beaches for leatherback turtles on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research 45: 563-571.

Santidrián Tomillo, P., Robinson, N.J., Sanz-Aguilar, A., Spotila, J.R., Paladino, F.V. and Tavecchia, G. 2017. High and variable mortality of leatherback turtles reveal possible anthropogenic impacts. Ecology 98:2170-2179.

Williamson, S.A., Evans, R.G., Robinson, N.J. and Reina, R.D. 2017. Hypoxia as a novel method for preventing movement-induced mortality during translocation of turtle eggs. Biological Conservation 216:86-92.

2016

Robinson, N. J., E. A. Lazo-Wasem, F. V. Paladino, J. D. Zardus, and T. Pinou. 2016. Assortative epibiosis of leatherback, olive ridley and green sea turtles in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom:1-8.

DOI: 10.1017/S0025315416000734

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Robinson, N. J., R. Majewska, E. A. Lazo-Wasem, R. Nel, F. V. Paladino, L. Rojas, J. D. Zardus, and T. Pinou. 2016. Epibiotic Diatoms Are Universally Present on All Sea Turtle Species. PLoS ONE 11(6).

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157011

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Robinson, N.J., S. J. Morreale, R. Nel, and F. V. Paladino. 2016. Coastal Leatherback Turtles Reveal Conservation Hotspot. Scientific Reports 6:37851.

DOI: 10.1038/srep37851

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2015

Cyrus, A. Z., J. Swiggs, P. Santidrian Tomillo, F. V. Paladino, and W. S. Peters. 2015. Cannibalism Causes Size-dependent Intraspecific Pressure but Does not Trigger Autotomy in the Intertidal Gastropod Agaronia propatula. Journal of Molluscan Studies 7:1-9.

DOI: 10.1093/mollus/eyv007

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Dornfeld, T. C., N. J. Robinson, P. Santidrian Tomillo, and F. V. Paladino. 2015. Ecology of solitary nesting olive ridley sea turtles at Playa Grande, Costa Rica. Marine Biology 162:123-129.

DOI: 10.1007/s00227-014-2583-7

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Hill, J. E., F. V. Paladino, J. R. Spotila, and P. Santidrian Tomillo. 2015. Shading and Watering as a Tool to Mitigate the Impacts of Climate Change in Sea Turtle Nests. PLOS ONE.

DOI: 10(6): e0129528

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Neeman, N., J. R. Spotila, and M. P. O’Connor. 2015. A Simple, Physiologically-based Model of Sea Turtle Remigration Intervals and Nesting Population Dynamics: Effects of Temperature. Journal of Theoretical Biology 380:516-523.

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Neeman, N., N. J. Robinson, F. V. Paladino, J. R. Spotila, and M. P. O’Connor. 2015. Phenology Shifts in Leatherback Turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) Due to Changes in Sea Surface Temperature. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jembe.2014.10.019

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Rivas, M., P. Santidrian Tomillo, J. Dieguez-Uribeondo, and A. Marco. 2015. Leatherback Hatchling Sea-finding in Response to Artificial Lighting: Interaction Between Wavelength and Moonlight. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 463:143-149.

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Robinson, N. J. and C. Figgener. 2015. Plastic Straw Found Inside the Nostril of an Olive Ridley Sea Turtle. Marine Turtle Newsletter 147:4-6.

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Santidrian Tomillo, P., M. Genovart, F. V. Paladino, J. R. Spotila, and D. Oro. 2015. Climate Change Overruns Temperature Resilience in Sea Turtles and Threatens Their Survival. Global Change Biology 21:2980-2988.

DOI: 10.1111/gcb.12918

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Santidrian Tomillo, P., M. Genovart, F. V. Santidrian Tomillo, P., S. A. Roberts, R. Hernandez , J. R. Spotila, and F. V. Paladino. 2015. Nesting Ecology of East Pacific Green Turtles at Playa Cabuyal, Gulf of Papagayo, Costa Rica. Marine Ecology 36:506-516.

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Santidrián Tomillo, P., Saba, V.S., Lombard, C.D., Valiulis, J.M., Robinson, N.J., Paladino, F.V., Spotila, J.R., Fernández, C., Rivas, M.L., Tucek, J., Nel, R. and Oro, D. 2015. Global analysis of the effect of local climate on the hatchling output of leatherback turtles. Scientific Reports 5:16789.

2014

Cyrus, A. Z., and W. S. Peters. 2014. The cannibalistic snail Agaronia propatula (Caenogastropoda, Mollusca) is reluctant to feed on autotomized ‘tails’ of conspecifics. Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology 45(5):285-290.

DOI: 10.1080/10236244.2014.935561

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Hill, J. E. 2014. Internesting Diving Behavior and Population Structure of Hawksbill Sea Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) on St. Croix, USVI. MS Thesis. Purdue University, Fort Wayne, IN.

Keene, E. L., T. Soule, and F. V. Paladino. 2014. Microbial isolations from olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) and East Pacific green (Chelonia mydas agassizii) sea turtle nests in Pacific Costa Rica, and testing of cloacal fluid antimicrobial properties. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 13 (1): 49-5.

DOI: 10.2744/CCB-1051.1

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Robinson, N. J., S. E. Valentine, P. Santidrián Tomillo, V. S. Saba, J. R. Spotila, and F. V. Paladino. 2014. Multidecadal trends in the nesting phenology of Pacific and Atlantic leatherback turtles are associated with population demography. Endangered Species Research. 24:197-206.

DOI: 10.3354/esr00604

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Santidrián Tomillo, P., D. Oro, F. V. Paladino, R. Piedra, A. E. Sieg, and J. R. Spotila. 2014. High beach temperatures increase female-biased primary sex ratios but reduce output of female hatchlings in the leatherback turtle. Biological Conservation 176:71-79.

DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2014.05.011

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2013

Backof, T. F. 2013. Tracking and Analysis of the Spatial and Thermal Habitats of Inter-nesting Loggerheads (Caretta caretta) in Kyparissia Bay, Greece. Masters Thesis. Purdue University, Fort Wayne, IN.

Bryan, J. 2013. Concentrations of heavy metals in scute samples from nesting female olive ridley, Lepidochelys olivacea, and eastern Pacific green, Chelonia mydas agassizii, sea turtles in Costa Rica. Masters Thesis. Purdue University, Fort Wayne, IN.

Dapp, D., R. Arauz, M. P. O’Connor, and J. R. Spotila. 2013. Impact of Costa Rican longline fishery on its bycatch of sharks, stingrays, bony fish and olive ridley turtles. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 448: 228–39.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jembe.2013.07.014

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Roe, J. H., P. R. Clune, and F. P. Paladino. 2013. Characteristics of a leatherback nesting beach and implications for coastal development. Conservation and Biology 12(1):34-43.

DOI: 10.2744/ccb-0967.1

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Suss, J. S. 2013. Biophysical and physiological ecology of loggerhead turtle nests at Zakynthos and Kyparissia, Greece. Ph.D. Dissertation. Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA.

 

2012

Blanco, G. S., S. J. Morreale, H. Bailey, J. A. Seminoff, F. V. Paladino, and J. R. Spotila. 2012. Post-nesting movements and feeding grounds of a resident East Pacific green turtle, Chelonia mydas, population from Costa Rica. Endangered Species Research 18: 233-245.

DOI: 10.3354/esr00451

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Blanco, G. S., S. J. Morreale, J. A. Seminoff, F. V. Paladino, R. A. Piedra, and J. R. Spotila. 2012. Movements and diving behavior of internesting green turtles along Pacific Costa Rica. Integrative Zoology. 8(3): 293-306.

DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-4877.2012.00298.x

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Cyrus, A. Z., S. D. Rupert, A. S. Silva, M. Graf, J. C. Rappaport, F. V. Paladino, and W. S. Peters. 2012. The behavioural and sensory ecology of Agaronia propatula Caenogastropoda: Olividae), a swash-surfing predator on sandy beaches of the panamic faunal province. Journal of Molluscan Studies 78(3):235-245.

DOI: 10.1093/mollus/eys006

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Keene, E. L. 2012. Microorganisms from sand, cloacal fluid and eggs of Lepidochelys olivacea and standard testing of cloacal fluid antimicrobial properties. MS Thesis. Purdue University, Fort Wayne, IN.

Saba, V. S., C. A. Stock, F. V. Paladino, J. R. Spotila, and P. Santidrián Tomillo. 2012. Projected response of an endangered marine turtle population to climate change. Nature Climate Change 2: 814-820.

DOI: 10.1038/nclimate1582

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Santidrián Tomillo, P., V. S. Saba, G. S. Blanco, C. A. Stock, F. V. Paladino, and J. R. Spotila. 2012. Climate driven egg and hatchling mortality threatens survival of Eastern Pacific leatherback turtles. PLoS ONE 7(5): e37602.

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0037602

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Troost, A. I., S. D. Rupert, A. Z. Cyrus, B. F. Dattilo, and W. S. Peters. 2012. What can we learn from confusing Olivella columellaris and O. semistriata (Olivellidea, Gastropoda), two key species in panamic sandy beach ecosystems?. Biota Neotropica 12(2): 101–113.

DOI: 10.1590/S1676-06032012000200011

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Valverde, R. A., C. M. Orrego, M. T. Tordoir, F. M. Gómez, D. S. Solís, R. A. Hernández, G. B. Gómez, L. S. Brenes, J. P. Baltodano, L. G. Fonseca, and J. R. Spotila. 2012. Olive ridley mass nesting ecology and egg harvest at Ostional beach, Costa Rica. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 11:1-11.

DOI: 10.2744/CCB-0959.1

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2011

Blanco, G. S., S. J. Morreale, E. Vélez, R. Piedra, W. M. Montes, F. V. Paladino, and J. R. Spotila. 2011. Reproductive output and ultrasonography of an endangered population of East Pacific green turtles. The Journal of Wildlife Management 76: 841–846.

DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.304

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Dornfeld, T. C. 2011. Nesting ecology of solitary olive ridleys, Lepidochelys olivacea, within Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas. MS Thesis. Purdue University, Fort Wayne, IN.

Honarvar, S., J. R. Spotila, and M. P. O’Connor. 2011. Microbial community structure in sand on two olive ridley arribada nesting beaches: Playa La Flor, Nicaragua and Playa Nancite, Costa Rica. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 409: 339-344.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jembe.2011.09.015

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Rafferty, A. R., P. Santidrián Tomillo, J. R. Spotila, F. V. Paladino, and R. D. Reina. 2011. Embryonic death is linked to maternal identity in the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). PLoS ONE 6(6): e21038.

DOI: 10.1371/ journal.pone.0021038

Roe, J. H., N. S. Sill, M. R. Columbia, and F. V. Paladino. 2011. Trace metals in eggs and hatchlings of Pacific leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) nesting at Playa Grande, Costa Rica. Chelonian Conservation Biology 10: 3-9.

DOI: 10.2744/CCB-0837.1

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Rupert, S. D., and W. S. Peters. 2011. Autotomy of the posterior foot in Agaronia (Caenogastropoda: Olividae) occurs in animals that are fully withdrawn into their shells. Journal of Molluscan Studies 77(4):437-440.

DOI: 10.1093/mollus/eyr019

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Sieg, A. E., C. A. Binckley, B. P. Wallace, P. Santidrián Tomillo, R. D. Reina, F. V. Paladino, and J. R. Spotila. 2011. Sex ratios of leatherback turtles: hatchery translocation decreases metabolic heating and female-bias. Endangered Species Research 15:195-204.

DOI: 10.3354/esr00372

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Soslau, G. R., J. Russell, J. R. Spotila, A. Mathew, and P. Bagsiyao. 2011. Acinetobacter sp. HM746599 isolated from leatherback turtle blood. FEMS Microbiology Letters. 322 (2): 166-171.

DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2011.02346.x

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Soslau, G., J. R. Spotila, A. Chun, S. Yi, and K. T. Weber. 2011. Potentially lethal bacteria in leatherback turtle eggs in the wild threaten both turtles and conservationists. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 410: 101–106.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jembe.2011.10.018

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2010

Blanco, G. S. 2010. Movements and behavior of the East Pacific green turtle (Chelonia mydas) from Costa Rica. Ph.D. Dissertation. Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA.

Garrett, K., B. P. Wallace, J. Garner, and F. V. Paladino. 2010. Variations in leatherback turtle nest environments: consequences for hatching success. Endangered Species Research 11: 147-155.

DOI: 10.3354/esr00273

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Hamann , M., M. H. Godfrey, J. A. Seminoff, K. Arthur, P. C. R. Barata, K. A. Bjorndal, A. B. Bolten, A. C. Broderick, L. M. Campbell, C. Carreras, P. Casale, M. Chaloupka, S. K. F. Chan, M. S. Coyne, L. B. Crowder, C. E. Diez , P. H. Dutton, S. P. Epperly, N. N. FitzSimmons, A. Formia, M. Girondot, G. C. Hays, I. S. Cheng, Y. Kaska, R. Lewison, J. A. Mortimer, W. J. Nichols, R. D. Reina, K. Shanker, J. R. Spotila, J. Tomás, B. P. Wallace, T. M. Work, J. Zbinden, and B. J. Godley. 2010. Global research priorities for sea turtles: informing management and conservation in the 21st century. Endangered Species Research 11: 245-269.

DOI: 10.3354/esr00279

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Santidrián Tomillo, P., F. V. Paladino, S. J. Suss, and J. R. Spotila. 2010. Predation of leatherback turtle hatchlings on the crawl to the water. Chelonian Conservation Biology 9: 18-25.

DOI: 10.2744/CCB-0789.1

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Sieg, A. E. 2010. Physiological constraints on the ecology of activity-limited ectotherms. Ph.D. Dissertation. Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA.

Sieg, A. E., E. Zandona, V. M. Izzo, F. V. Paladino, and J. R. Spotila. 2010. Population level “flipperedness” in the Eastern Pacific leatherback turtle. Behavioural Brain Research 206: 135-138.

DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2009.08.023

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Valentine, S. E. 2010. Analysis of climate change on leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) nesting patterns at Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas, Costa Rica. MS Thesis. Purdue University, Fort Wayne, IN.

 

2009

Fonseca, L. G., G. A. Murillo, L. Guadamuz, R. M. Spinola, and R. A. Valverde. 2009. Downward but stable trend in the abundance of arribada olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) at Nancite beach, Costa Rica (1971-2007). Chelonian Conservation and Biology 8(1): 19-27.

DOI: 10.2744/CCB-0739.1

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Reina, R. D., J. R. Spotila, F. V. Paladino, and A. E. Dunham. 2009. Changed reproductive schedule of leatherback turtles, Dermochelys coriacea, in the eastern Pacific following the 1997/98 transition from El Niño to La Niña conditions. Endangered Species Research 7: 155-161.

DOI: 10.3354/esr00098

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Santidrián Tomillo, P., J. S. Suss, B. P. Wallace, K. D. Magrini, G. S. Blanco, F. V. Paladino, and J. R. Spotila. 2009. Influence of emergence success on the annual reproductive output of leatherback turtles. Marine Biology 156: 2021-2031.

DOI: 10.1007/s00227-009-1234-x

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Southward, A., and L. Avens. 2009. Physiological, behavioral, and ecological aspects of migration in reptiles. Journal of Comparative Physiology B 180:1–23.

DOI: 10.1007/s00360-009-0415-8

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Suryan, R. M., V. S. Saba, B. P. Wallace, S. A. Hatch, M. Frederiksen, and S. Wanless. 2009. Environmental forcing on life history strategies: Evidence for multi-trophic level responses at ocean basin scales. Progress in Oceanography 81: 214-222.

DOI: 10.1016/j.pocean.2009.04.012

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Wallace, B. P., and V. Saba. 2009. Environmental and anthropogenic impacts on intra-specific variation in leatherback turtles: opportunities for targeted research and conservation. Endangered Species Research 7: 11-21.

DOI: 10.3354/esr00177

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2008

Garrett, K. 2008. Intra-beach variation in leatherback turtle nest environments: implications for hatchling success and egg relocation strategies. MS Thesis. Indiana Purdue University, Fort Wayne IN.

Honarvar, S. 2008. Effects of density on hatching success of olive ridley nests on arribada beaches. Ph.D. Dissertation. Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA.

Honarvar, S., M. P. O’Connor, and J. R. Spotila. 2008. Density-dependent effects on hatching success of the olive ridley turtle, Lepidochelys olivacea. Oecologia: 157:221-230. 

DOI: 10.1007/s00442-008-1065-3

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Kowalczyk, N. 2008. Sensitivity of leatherback, Demochelys coriacea, nesting activity to lunar and tidal cycles. Honours Thesis. Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.

Saba, V. S., J. R. Spotila, F. P. Chavez, and J. A. Musick. 2008. Bottom-up and climatic forcing on the worldwide population of leatherback turtles. Ecology: 89:1414-1427.

DOI: 10.1890/07-0364.1

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Santidrián Tomillo, P. 2008. Nesting ecology of leatherback turtles at Playa Grande, Costa Rica. Ph.D. Dissertation. Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA.

Santidrián Tomillo, P., V. S. Saba, R. Piedra, F. V. Paladino, and J. R. Spotila. 2008. Effects of illegal harvest of eggs on the population decline of leatherback turtles in Las Baulas Marine National Park, Costa Rica. Conservation Biology 22: 1216-1224.

DOI: 10.1111/j.1523-1739.2008.00987.x

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2007

Clusella Trullas, S., and F. V. Paladino. 2007. Micro-environment of olive ridley turtle nests deposited during an aggregated nesting event. Journal of Zoology 272:367-376.

DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.2006.00277.x

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Piedra, R., E. Vélez, P. Dutton, E. Possardy, and C. Padilla. 2007. Nesting of the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) from 1999-2000 through 2003-2004 at Playa Langosta, Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas de Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 6: 111-116.

DOI: 10.2744/1071-8443(2007)6[111:NOTLTD]2.0.CO;2

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Price, E. R., F. V. Paladino, K. P. Strohl, P. Santidrián Tomillo, K. Klann, and J. R. Spotila. 2007. Respiration in neonate sea turtles. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A 146: 422-428.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2006.11.034

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Saba, V. S. 2007. Bottom-up and climatic forcing on the nesting and foraging ecology of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea). Ph.D. Dissertation. Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

Saba, V. S. 2007. Bottom-up and climatic forcing on the nesting and foraging ecology of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea). Ph.D. Dissertation. Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

Saba, V. S., P. Santidrián Tomillo, R. D. Reina, J. R. Spotila, J. A. Musick, D. A. Evans, and F. V. Paladino. 2007. The effect of El Niño Southern Oscillation on the reproductive frequency of eastern pacific leatherback turtles. Journal of Applied Ecology 44: 395-404. 

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2007.01276.x

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Santidrián Tomillo, P., E. Velez Carballo, R. D. Reina, R. Piedra Chacon, F. V. Paladino, and J. R. Spotila. 2007. Reassessment of the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) population nesting at Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas, Costa Rica: Effects of conservation efforts. Chelonian Conservation and Biology: 6:54-62.

DOI: 10.2744/1071-8443(2007)6[54:ROTLTD]2.0.CO;2

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Wallace, B. P., P. R. Sotherland, P. Santidrián Tomillo, R. D. Reina, J. R. Spotila, and F. V. Paladino. 2007. Maternal investment in reproduction and its consequences in leatherback turtles. Oecologia 152: 37-47.

DOI: 10.1007/s00442-006-0641-7

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2006

Clusella, S., J. R. Spotila, and F. V. Paladiino. 2006. Energetics during hatchling dispersal of the olive ridley turtle, Lepidochelys olivacea, using doubly labeled water. Physiological and Biochemical Ecology. 79: 389-399.

DOI: 10.1086/499982

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Dalton, E. 2006. The leatherback turtle, Demochelys coriacea: A model to test age-related reproductive hypothesis. Honours Thesis. Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.

Wallace, B. P., J. A. Seminoff, S. S. Kilham, J. R. Spotila, and P. H. Dutton. 2006. Leatherback turtles as oceanographic indicators: stable isotope analyses reveal a trophic dichotomy between ocean basins. Marine Biology: 149:953-960.

DOI: 10.1007/s00227-006-0247-y

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2005

Clune, P. 2005. Natural and human induced variations on beach dynamic and their effects on leatherback sea turtle conservation. MS Thesis. Purdue University, Fort Wayne, IN.

Ralph, C. R., R. D. Reina, B. P. Wallace, P. R. Sotherland, J. R. Spotila, and F. V. Paladino. 2005. Effect of egg location and respiratory gas concentrations on developmental success in nests of the leatherback turtle, Dermochelys coriacea. Australian Journal of Zoology 53: 1-6.

DOI: 10.1071/zo04062

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Reina, R. D., K. J. Abernathy, G. J. Marshall, and J. R. Spotila. 2005. Respiratory frequency, dive behaviour and social interactions of leatherback turtles, Dermochelys coriacea during the inter-nesting interval. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 316: 1-16.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jembe.2004.10.002

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Reina, R. D., K. J. Abernathy, G. J. Marshall, and J. R. Spotila. 2005. Respiratory frequency, dive behaviour and social interactions of leatherback turtles, Dermochelys coriacea during the inter-nesting interval. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 316: 1-16.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jembe.2004.10.002

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Soslau, G., P. J. Prest, R. Class, R. George, F. V. Paladino, and G. Violetta. 2005. Comparison of sea turtle thrombocyte aggregation to human platelet aggregation in whole blood. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology B 142: 353-360.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2005.08.006

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Wallace, B. P. 2005. Physiological Ecology of Leatherback Turtles. Ph.D. Dissertation. Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA.

Wallace, B. P., C. L. Williams, F. V. Paladino, S. J. Morreale, R. T. Lindstrom, and J. R. Spotila. 2005. Bioenergetics and diving activity of internesting leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) at Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas, Costa Rica. Journal of Experimental Biology 208: 3873-3884.

DOI: 10.1242/​jeb.01860

2004

Drake, D. L., J. E. Behm, M. A. Hagerty, P. A. Mayor, S. J. Goldenberg, and J. R. Spotila. 2004. Marine turtle nesting activity at Playa Naranjo, Santa Rosa National Park, Costa Rica, for the 1998-1999 season. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 4: 675-678.

Nordmoe, E. D., A. E. Sieg, P. R. Sotherland, J. R. Spotila, F. V. Paladino, and R. D. Reina. 2004. Nest site fidelity of leatherback turtles at Playa Grande, Costa Rica. Animal Behaviour. 68: 387-394.

DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2003.07.015

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Price, E. R., B. P. Wallace, R. D. Reina, J. R. Spotila, F. V. Paladino, R. Piedra, and E. Velez. 2004. Size, growth, and reproductive output of adult female leatherback turtles Dermochelys coriacea. Endangered Species Research 5: 1-8.

DOI: 10.3354/esr001041

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Sill, N. S. 2004. The effect of heavy metals on hatching success of remigrant and new nesting leatherback females in Costa Rica: Are experienced females better? MS Thesis. Purdue University, Fort Wayne, IN.

 

Soslau, G., B. P. Wallace, C. Vincente, S. J. Goldenberg, T. Tupis, J. R. Spotila, R. George, F. V. Paladino, B. Whitaker, G. Violetta, and R. Piedra. 2004. Comparison of functional aspects of the coagulation cascade in human and sea turtle plasmas. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology B 138: 399-406.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2004.05.004

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Wallace, B. P., P. R. Sotherland, J. R. Spotila, R. D. Reina, B. F. Franks, and F. V. Paladino. 2004. Biotic and abiotic factors affect the nest environment of embryonic leatherback turtles, Dermochelys coriacea. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 77: 423-432.

DOI: 10.1086/420951

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2003

Bell, B. A., J. R. Spotila, F. V. Paladino, and R. D. Reina. 2003. Low reproductive success of leatherback turtles, Dermochelys coriacea, is due to high embryonic mortality. Biological Conservation 115: 131-138.

DOI: 10.1016/S0006-3207(03)00102-2

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Bowen , B. W., A. L. Bass, S. Chow, M. Bostrom, K. A. Bjorndal, A. B. Bolten, T. Okuyama, B. M. Bolker, S. Epperley, E. Lacasella, D. Shaver, M. Dodd, S. R. Hopkins-Murphy, J. A. Musick, M. Swingle, K. Rankin-Baransky, W. Teas, W. N. Wetzel, and P. H. Dutton. 2003. Natal homing in juvenile loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta). Molecular Ecology. 13 (12): 3797-3808.

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2004.02356.x

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2002

Crim, J. L., J. R. Spotila, M. P. O’Connor, R. D. Reina, C. J. Williams, and F. V. Paladino. 2002. The leatherback turtle, Dermochelys coriacea, exhibits both polyandry and polygyny. Molecular Ecology 11(10): 2097-2106.

DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-294X.2002.01591.x

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Drake, D. L., and J. R. Spotila. 2002. Thermal tolerances and the timing of sea turtle hatchling emergence. Journal of Thermal Biology. 27: 71-81.

DOI: 10.1016/S0306-4565(01)00017-1

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Plotkin, P. T., and J. R. Spotila. 2002. Post-nesting migrations of loggerhead sea turtles, Caretta caretta, from Georgia, U.S.A.: Conservation implications for a genetically distinct subpopulation. Oryx 36: 396-399.

DOI: 10.1017/s0030605302000753

Reina, R. D., P. A. Mayor, J. R. Spotila, and F. V. Paladino. 2002. Nesting ecology of the leatherback turtle, Dermochelys coriacea, at Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas, Costa Rica 1988-89 to 1999-2000. Copeia 2002: 653-664.

DOI: 10.1643/0045-8511(2002)002[0653:NEOTLT]2.0.CO;2

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Reina, R. D., T. T. Jones, and J. R. Spotila. 2002. Salt and water regulation by the leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys coriacea. Journal of Experimental Biology: 205: 1853-1860.

2001

Bell, B. A. 2001. Fertility of leatherback turtles at Playa Grande, Costa Rica. MS Thesis. Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA.

Bilinski, J. J., R. D. Reina, J. R. Spotila, and F. V. Paladino. 2001. The effects of nest environment on calcium mobilization by leatherback turtle embryos (Dermochelys coriacea) during development. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A 130: 151-162.

DOI: 10.1016/S1095-6433(01)00374-9

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Drake, D. L., and J. R. Spotila. 2001. Thermal tolerances and the timing of sea turtle hatchling emergence. Journal of Thermal Biology 27: 71-81.

DOI: 10.1016/S0306-4565(01)00017-1

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Drake, D. L., M. A. Hagetry, J. E. Behm, and S. J. Goldenburg. 2001. Lepidochelys olivacea (olive ridley sea turtle) predation. Herpetological Review 32: 104.

Rankin-Baransky, K., C. J. Williams, A. L. Bass, B. W. Bowen, and J. R. Spotila. 2001. Origin of loggerhead turtles stranded in the Northeastern United States as determined by mitochondrial DNA analysis. Journal of Herpetology: 35:638-646.

DOI: 10.2307/1565903

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Rostal, D. C., J. S. Grumbles, K. S. Palmer, V. A. Lance, J. R. Spotila, and F. V. Paladino. 2001. Changes in gonadal and adrenal steroid levels in the leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) during the nesting cycle. General and Comparative Endocrinology 122: 139-147.

DOI: 10.1006/gcen.2001.7615

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2000

Spotila, J. R., R. D. Reina, A. C. Steyermark, P. T. Plotkin, and F. V. Paladino. 2000. Pacific leatherback turtles face extinction. Nature: 405: 529-530.

DOI: 10.1038/35014729

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1990s

1998

Binckley, C. A., J. R. Spotila, K. S. Wilson, and F. V. Paladino. 1998. Sex determination and sex ratios of Pacific leatherback turtles, Dermochelys coriacea. Copeia 1998: 291-300.

DOI: 10.2307/1447425

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Penick, D. N., J. R. Spotila, M. P. O’Connor, A. C. Steyermark, R. H. George, C. J. Salice, and F. V. Paladino. 1998. Thermal independence of muscle tissue metabolism in the leatherback turtle, Dermochelys coriacea. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A 120: 399-403.

DOI: 10.1016/S1095-6433(98)00024-5

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1996

Chaves, A., G. Serrano, G. Marin, E. Arguedas, A. Jimenez, and J. R. Spotila. 1996. Biology and conservation of leatherback turtles, Dermochelys coriacea, at Playa Langosta, Costa Rica. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 2: 184-189.

Morreale, S. J., E. A. Standora, J. R. Spotila, and F. V. Paladino. 1996. Migration corridor for sea turtles. Nature 384: 319-320.

DOI: 10.1038/384319a0

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Paladino, F. V., J. R. Spotila, M. P. O’Connor, and R. E. Gatten Jr. 1996. Respiratory physiology of adult leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) while nesting on land. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 2: 223-229.

Rostal, D. C., F. V. Paladino, R. M. Patterson, and J. R. Spotila. 1996. Reproductive physiology of nesting leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) at Las Baulas National Park, Costa Rica. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 2: 230-236.

Spotila, J. R., A. E. Dunham, A. J. Leslie, A. C. Steyermark, P. T. Plotkin, and F. V. Paladino. 1996. Worldwide population decline of Dermochelys coriacea: Are leatherback turtles going extinct?. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 2: 209-222.

Steyermark, A. C., K. Williams, J. R. Spotila, F. V. Paladino, D. C. Rostal, S. J. Morreale, M. T. Koberg, and R. Arauz. 1996. Nesting leatherback turtles at Las Baulas National Park, Costa Rica. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 2: 173-183.

1990

Paladino, F. V., M. P. O’Connor, and J. R. Spotila. 1990. Metabolism of leatherback turtles, gigantothermy, and thermoregulation of dinosaurs. Nature 344: 858-860.

DOI: 10.1038/344858a0

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1980s

1985

Standora, E. A., and J. R. Spotila. 1985. Temperature-dependent sex determination in sea turtles. Copeia (3): 711-722.

1982

Morreale, S. J., G. J. Ruiz, J. R. Spotila, and E. A. Standora. 1982. Temperature-dependent sex determination: Current practices threaten conservation of sea turtles. Science, New series 216 (4551):1245-1247.

DOI: 10.1126/science.7079758

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Reports

Arauz, R., and T. Steiner. 2005. Project to protect and manage 25% of Costa Rica’s exclusive economic zone, including the creation and consolidation of the Cocos-Baulas marine Biological Corridor. Pretoma, San Jose, Costa Rica. 45 pp.

Cajiao Jiménez, M. V., R. Salazar Cambronero, M. Valverde Soto, I. Naranjo Vargas, and R. Arauz Vargas. 2003. Régimen legal de los recursos marinos y costeros en Costa Rica. Ambio Fundación. 192 pp.

Paladino, F. V., and S. J. Morreale. 2001. Sea Turtles. Encyclopedia of Ocean Sciences,18 pp.

Plotkin, P. T. 2001. A marine turtle conservation strategy and action plan for the northern Indian Ocean. IUCN/SSC Marine Turtle Specialist Group Publication No. 3. Washington, DC. 33 pp.

Robinson, N. J., and F. V. Paladino. 2013. Sea Turtles. Earth systems and environmental sciences, Elsevier. Reference Module.

DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-409548-9.04352-9

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Rojas, L. A., and M. I. Chavarría. 2005. Corredores biológicos de Costa Rica. Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación, Ministerio del Ambiente y Energía, San Jose, Costa Rica. 46 pp plus maps and appendices.

Santidrián Tomillo, P. 2008. From the ocean to the beach: widening the limits of conservation. Endangered Species Update. University of Michigan.

Santidrian Tomillo, P., V. S. Saba, C. D. Lombard, J. M. Valiulis, N. J. Robinson, F. V. Paladino, J. R. Spotila, C. Fernandez, M. L. Rivas, J. Tucek, R. Nel, and D. Oro. 2015. Global Analysis of the Effect of Local Climate on the Hatchling Output of Leatherback Turtles. Scientific Reports. In Press.

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Spotila, J. R. 2001. 21st Annual symposium on sea turtle biology and conservation “Coming of Age,” Philadelphia, USA February 24-28, 2001: President’s Report . Marine Turtle Newsletter 93: 15-17.

Spotila, J. R. 2001. 21st Annual symposium on sea turtle biology and conservation “Coming of Age,” Philadelphia, USA February 24-28, 2001: President’s Report . Marine Turtle Newsletter 93: 15-17.

Spotila, J. R., and F. V. Paladino. 2004. Parque Marino Las Baulas: Conservation lessons from a new national park and from 45 years of conservation of sea turtles in Costa Rica. Chapter 15 in Frankie, G. W., A. Matta, and S. B. Vinson (eds), Biodiversity in Costa Rica: Learning the Lessons in a Seasonal Dry Forest. University of California Press. 194–209.

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Tiffer Sotomayor, R., R. Piedra Chacón, N. Rodriguez Garro, A. Rosales Ruíz, C. A. Díaz Reyes, L. G. Briceño Aragón, A. Fonseca Matarrita, B. Cortés Carrera, and C. Chang. 2004. Plan de acción del plan de manejo del Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas de Guanacaste 2005-2010. Centro Científico Tropical, San Jose, Costa Rica, 286 pp.

Theses & dissertations

2015

Koval, J. 2015. Use of Microsatellites to Compare Solitary vs. Arribada Nesting Olive Ridley Turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) Along the Eastern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Purdue University.

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Rhodes, A. 2015. Assessing the Effect of Beach Dynamics on Nest Site Selection of Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) in Playa Cabuyal, Costa Rica. Purdue University.

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Swiggs, J. 2015. The Effect of Incubation Conditions on Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) and Green (Chelonia mydas) Sea Turtle Hatchling Survival. Purdue University.

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2014

Clyde-Brockway, C., Robinson, N.J., Blanco, G.S., Morreale, S.J., Spotila, J.R., Santidrián Tomillo, P. and Paladino, F.V. 2019. Local variation in the internesting behavior of green turtles in the Gulf of Papagayo, Costa Rica. Chelonian Conservation Biology 18.

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2014

Research

Conservation

We conserve the world’s most imperiled populations of sea turtles through research, habitat protection, education and advocacy.

How?

We develop integrated conservation strategies that link research questions to management needs, raise awareness and provide scientific data to inform sound policies to protect turtles.

Goldring-Gund Marine Biology Station

The Goldring-Gund Marine Biology Station is located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica in Las Baulas National Park. The station serves as headquarters for TLT’s research on East Pacific turtle populations.

With space to accommodate up to 24 researchers at a time, Goldring-Gund Station provides an important hub for Costa Rican and international scientists. The Station also hosts students from middle and secondary schools in the United States and Costa Rica in field-based learning programs. Earthwatch volunteers based at the station contribute to TLT’s nesting beach research and monitoring efforts.

Goldring-Gund Marine Biology Station researchers provide nesting turtles with identification tags to measure their reproductive output and determine population size. TLT scientists have tracked the reproductive output of leatherback, olive ridley and black turtles nesting at Playa Grande since 1993. We monitor nests to understand how sea turtle eggs develop and what factors lead to the highest output of healthy hatchlings.

© Kip Evans Photography | Mission Blue

Learning more about where turtles go at different life stages, is essential to conserving endangered species, such as leatherbacks. Identifying seasonal and spatial patterns also enables conservationists to advance protections, such as fisheries closures along migration corridors during particular months of the year.

We know that climate change presents a looming threat to sea turtles. TLT scientists have noted that higher beach temperatures are resulting in more female hatchlings than males. Applied research enables scientists to experiment with methods to mitigate the effects of climate change. Our researchers and volunteers in Costa Rica are examining how climate change affects sea turtle nesting success and investigating whether cooling nests with shade or water during periods of excessive heat can help balance hatchling sex ratios.

© Brian Skerry | BrianSkerry.com

TLT researchers also study the physiology and behavior of sea turtles by conducting metabolic, respiratory, hormonal and genetic tests. One of TLT’s founding scientists, Dr. Frank Paladino, discovered that leatherbacks use their large size to stay warm in colder waters and avoid overheating in tropical climates.

TLT believes strong science informs sound management. We provide our research findings to government leaders and national park officials to help inform conservation policy and management decisions. Once informed conservation strategies are implemented, we monitor their progress.

Photo: TLT scientists study the “lost years”, a 10-15 year period after hatching before turtles return to nest.

© Jason Bradley | BradleyPhotographic.com
© Jason Bradley | BradleyPhotographic.com

Books

The Leatherback Trust’s approach to conservation grounded in scientific research is demonstrated in a vast array of books, journal articles, scholarly texts and management reports.

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Sea Turtles: A Complete Guide to Their Biology, Behavior, and Conservation

Spotila, J. R. 2004. Sea Turtles: A Complete Guide to Their Biology, Behavior and Conservation. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD. 228pp.

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Saving Sea Turtles: Extraordinary Stories from the Battle against Extinction

Spotila, J. R. 2004. Sea Turtles: A Complete Guide to Their Biology, Behavior and Conservation. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD. 228pp.

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9781421417080

The Leatherback Turtle

Spotila, J.R. and Santidrián Tomillo, P. (eds) 2015. Biology and Conservation of Leatherback Turtles. 2015. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD. 228pp.

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2024

Matthew L. Rutledge, Frank V. Paladino, James R. Spotila, Pilar Santidrián Tomillo

Received: 14 November 2023 / Accepted: 19 February 2024
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2024

Wenlei Bi, Songrui Liu2, Michael P. O’Connor, Jacob R. Owens, Marc T. Valitutto, Rong Hou, Dunwu Qi2, Lee-Ann Collins Hayek5, Fanqi Wu, Rui Ma2, Jiabin Liu, Yanshan Zhou, Long Zhang, Ramana Callan, Li Luo, Wenjun Huang, Zhihe Zhang and James R. Spotila

2023

Robinson, N.J., Aguzzi, J., Arias, S., Gatto, C., Mills, S.K., Monte, A., Andrews, L.S., Yaney-Keller, A. and Tomillo, P.S., 2023. Global trends in sea turtle research and conservation: Using symposium abstracts to assess past biases and future opportunities. Global Ecology and Conservation, 47, p.e02587.

Clyde-Brockway, C.E., Heidemeyer, M., Giry, M., Paladino, F.V., Mora, R., Mora, M., Mora, R., and Flaherty, E.A. 2023. A male East-Pacific green turtle that associates with small fishing boats and eats fish. Marine Turtle Newsletter 166: 10–13.

Fuentes, M.M., McMichael, E., Kot, C.Y., Silver-Gorges, I., Wallace, B.P., Godley, B.J., Brooks, A.M., Ceriani, S.A., Cortés-Gómez, A.A., Dawson, T.M. and Dodge, K.L., 2023. Key issues in assessing threats to sea turtles: knowledge gaps and future directions. Endangered Species Research, 52, pp.303-341.

Fuentes, M.M.P.B., Santos, A.J.B., Abreu‐Grobois, A., Briseño‐Dueñas, R., Al‐Khayat, J., Hamza, S., Saliba, S., Anderson, D., Rusenko, K.W., Mitchell, N.J. and Gammon, M., 2024. Adaptation of sea turtles to climate warming: Will phenological responses be sufficient to counteract changes in reproductive output?. Global Change Biology, 30(1), p.e16991.

Mills, S.K., Rotger, A., Brooks, A.M., Paladino, F.V. and Robinson, N.J., 2023. Photo identification for sea turtles: Flipper scales more accurate than head scales using APHIS. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 566, p.151923.

Mills, S.K., Rotger, A., Brooks, A.M., Paladino, F.V. and Robinson, N.J., 2023. Photo identification for sea turtles: Flipper scales more accurate than head scales using APHIS. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 566, p.151923.

Tomillo, P.S., Pujol, F., Félix, G., Núñez-Reyes, V., Saba, V., Tomás, J. and Marco, A., 2023. Colonization of new nesting areas could provide climate refuge to loggerhead turtles under climate change. Biological Conservation, 284, p.110146.

2022

Clyde-Brockway, C.E., Heidemeyer, M., Paladino, F.V. and Flaherty, E.A., 2022. Diet and foraging niche flexibility in green and hawksbill turtles. Marine Biology, 169(8), p.108.

Robinson, N.J., Sanfèlix, M.M., Blanco, G.S., Clyde-Brockway, C., Hill, J.E., Paladino, F.V., Tomás, J. and Tomillo, P.S., 2022. Effect of water temperature on the duration of the internesting interval across sea turtle species. Journal of Thermal Biology, 110, p.103342.

Santidrián Tomillo, P., 2022. When population-advantageous primary sex ratios are female-biased: changing concepts to facilitate climate change management in sea turtles. Climatic Change, 175(3-4), p.15.

Veelenturf, C.A., Sinclair, E.M., Leopold, P., Paladino, F.V. and Honarvar, S., 2022. The effects of nest location and beach environment on hatching success for leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) and green (Chelonia mydas) sea turtles on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea. Marine Biology, 169(5), p.56.

Yaney-Keller, A., Santidrián-Tomillo, P., Jordan, M.A., Lopez-Navas, J.F. and Paladino, F.V., 2022. Patterns of vertebrate biodiversity in a tropical dry and mangrove forest matrix. Revista de Biología Tropical, 70(1), pp.668-687.

2021

Bandimere, A., Paladino, F.V., Spotila, J.R., Panagopoulou, A., Diéguez-Uribeondo, J. and Tomillo, P.S., 2021. Effects of egg mass and local climate on morphology of East Pacific leatherback turtle Dermochelys coriacea hatchlings in Costa Rica. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 669, pp.191-200.

Clyde-Brockway, C.E., Ferreira, C.R., Flaherty, E.A. and Paladino, F.V., 2021. Lipid profiling suggests species specificity and minimal seasonal variation in Pacific Green and Hawksbill Turtle plasma. Plos one, 16(7), p.e0253916.

Ramírez, H., Valverde-Cantillo, V. and Tomillo, P.S., 2021. El Niño events and chlorophyll levels affect the reproductive frequency but not the seasonal reproductive output of east Pacific green turtles. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 659, pp.237-246.

Robinson, N.J., García-Párraga, D., Stacy, B.A., Blanco, G.S., Clyde-Brockway, C.E., Costidis, A., Haas, H.L., Harms, C., Patel, S.H., Stacy, N.I., Fahlman, A. 2021. A baseline model to estimate risk of gas embolism in sea turtles during routine dives. Frontiers in Physiology, section Aquatic Physiology: 1285.

St. Andrews, L.C., Hoefer, S., Boyd, L., Paladino, F.V. and Robinson, N.J., 2021. Healing of Skin Biopsies in Wild Juvenile Green Turtles, Chelonia mydas. Chelonian Conservation and Biology: Celebrating 25 Years as the World’s Turtle and Tortoise Journal, 20(2), pp.300-303.

Tomillo, P.S., Wallace, B.P., Paladino, F.V., Spotila, J.R. and Genovart, M., 2021. Short-term gain, long-term loss: How a widely-used conservation tool could further threaten sea turtles. Biological Conservation, 261, p.109260.

2020

“Enhanced, coordinated conservation efforts required to avoid extinction of critically endangered Eastern Pacific leatherback turtles.” Scientific Reports 10, no. 1 (2020): 4772.

Gatto, C.R., Robinson, N.J., Spotila, J.R., Paladino, F.V. and Santidrián Tomillo, P., 2020. Body size constrains maternal investment in a small sea turtle species. Marine Biology, 167(12), p.182.

Mettler, E.K., Clyde-Brockway, C.E., Sinclair, E.M., Paladino, F.V. and Honarvar, S., 2020. Determining critical inter-nesting, migratory, and foraging habitats for the conservation of East Atlantic green turtles (Chelonia mydas). Marine Biology, 167(8), p.106.

Ortiz-Alvarez, C., Pajuelo, M., Grados, D., Abrego, M.E., Rebeca Barragan-Rocha, A., Barrantes, M., Cotto Sánchez, A., Fonseca, L.G., Gadea Espinal, V., Mangel, J.C. and Rguez-Baron, J.M., 2020. Rapid assessments of leatherback small-scale fishery bycatch in internesting areas in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Frontiers in Marine Science, 6, p.813.

Ortiz-Alvarez, C.A., Pajuelo, M., Grados, D., Abrego, M.E., Barragán-Rocha, A.R., Barrantes, M., Cotto, A., Fonseca, L., Gadea Espinal, V., Mangel, J.C., Rguez-Baron, J.M., Santidrián Tomillo, P., Sarti, L., Santana-Hernández, H., Shillinger, G.L., Prado, M., Wallace, B.P., Williard, A.S., Zavala-Norzagaray, A.A. and Alfaro Shigueto, J. 2020. Rapid assessments of leatherback small-scale fishery bycatch in interesting areas in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Frontiers in Marine Science. In Press.

Santidrián Tomillo, P., Fonseca, L.G., Ward, M., Tankersley, N., Robinson, N.J., Orrego, C.M., Paladino, F.V. and Saba, V.S. 2020. The impacts of extreme El Niño events on sea turtle nesting populations. Climatic Change. In Press. 

Santidrián Tomillo, P., Fonseca, L.G., Ward, M., Tankersley, N., Robinson, N.J., Orrego, C.M., Paladino, F.V. and Saba, V.S., 2020. The impacts of extreme El Niño events on sea turtle nesting populations. Climatic Change, 159(2), pp.163-176.

Silver-Gorges, I., Koval, J., Rodriguez-Zarate, C.J., Paladino, F.V. and Jordan, M., 2020. Large-scale connectivity, cryptic population structure, and relatedness in Eastern Pacific Olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea). Ecology and Evolution, 10(16), pp.8688-8704.

Veelenturf, C.A., Sinclair, E.M., Paladino, F.V. and Honarvar, S., 2020. Predicting the impacts of sea level rise in sea turtle nesting habitat on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea. Plos One, 15(7), p.e0222251.

Vindas-Picado, J., Yaney-Keller, A., St. Andrews, L., Panagopoulou, A. and Santidrián Tomillo, P., 2020. Effectiveness of shading to mitigate the impact of high temperature on sea turtle clutches considering the effect on primary sex ratios. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 25(8), pp.1509-1521.

2019

Clyde-Brockway, C., Robinson, N.J., Blanco, G.S., Morreale, S.J., Spotila, J.R., Tomillo, P.S. and Paladino, F.V., 2019. Local variation in the Internesting behavior of green turtles in the Gulf of Papagayo, Costa Rica. Chelonian Conservation and Biology: Celebrating 25 Years as the World’s Turtle and Tortoise Journal, 18(2), pp.217-230.

Martínez-Abraín, A., Santidrián Tomillo, P. and Veiga, J. 2019. Otter diet changes in a reservoir during a severe autumn drought. Journal of Mammalogy. In Press.

Martínez-Abraín, A., Santidrián Tomillo, P., Mouriño, J., Tenan, S. and Oro, D. 2019. Delayed predator-prey collapses: the case of black-legged kittiwakes and Iberian sardines. Marine Ecology Progress Series 631:201-207.

McKenna, L.N., Paladino, F.V., Santidrián Tomillo, P. and Robinson, N.J. 2019. Do sea turtles vocalize to synchronize hatching or nest emergence? Copeia 107:120-123.

Mettler, E., Clyde-Brockway, C.E., Honarvar, S. and Paladino, F.V., 2019. Migratory corridor linking Atlantic green turtle, Chelonia mydas, nesting site on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea to Ghanaian foraging grounds. Plos one, 14(6), p.e0213231.

Montero, N., Santidrián Tomillo, P., Saba, V., Marcovaldi, M.A.G., López-Mendilaharsu, M., Santos, A.S., and Fuentes, M.M.P.B. 2019. Effects of local climate on loggerhead hatchling production in Brazil: implications from climate change. Scientific Reports 9:8861.

Robinson, N.J., Lazo-Wasem, E.M., Butler, B.O., Lazo-Wasem, E.A., Zardus, J.D. and Pinou, T. 2019. Spatial distribution of epibionts on olive ridley sea turtles at Playa Ostional, Costa Rica. PLoS ONE 14:e0218838.

Valverde-Cantillo, V., Robinson, N.J. and Santidrián Tomillo, P. 2019. Influence of oceanographic conditions on nesting abundance, phenology and internesting periods of east Pacific green turtles. Marine Biology 166:93.

Williamson, S.A., Evans, R.G., Robinson, N.J. and Reina, R.D. 2019. Synchronised nesting aggregations are associated with enhanced capacity for extended embryonic arrest in olive ridley sea turtles. Scientific Reports 9:9783.

Yaney-Keller, A., Santidrián Tomillo, P., Marshall, J.M. and Paladino, F.V. 2019. Using unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to assay mangrove estuaries on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. PloS ONE 14(6): e0217310.

2018

Cruz, L.M., Shillinger, G.L., Robinson, N.J., Santidrián Tomillo, P. and Paladino, F.V. 2018. Effect of light intensity and wavelength on the in-water orientation of olive ridley turtle hatchlings. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 505:52-56.

Farlow, J.O., Robinson, N.J., Kumagai, C.J., Paladino, F.V., Falkingham, P.L., Elsey, R.M. and Martin, A.J. 2018. Trackways of the American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) in Northwestern Costa Rica: Implications for Crocodylian Ichnology. Ichnos 25:30-65..

Heidemeyer, M., Delgado-Trejo, C., Hart, C.E., Clyde-Brockway, C., Fonseca, L.G., Mora, R., Mora, M., Lara, A., and Obando, R. 2018. Long-term in-water recaptures of adult Black Turtles (Chelonia mydas) provide implications for flipper tagging methods in the Eastern Pacific. Herpetological Review 49(4): 652–656..

Heidemeyer, M., Delgado-Trejo, C., Hart, C.E., Clyde-Brockway, C., Fonseca, L.G., Mora, R., Mora, M., Lara, A., and Obando, R. 2018. Long-term in-water recaptures of adult Black Turtles (Chelonia mydas) provide implications for flipper tagging methods in the Eastern Pacific. Herpetological Review 49(4): 652–656.

Hill, J.E., King, C.M., Stewart, K.R., Paladino, F.V. and Dutton, P.H., 2018. Genetic differentiation of hawksbill turtle rookeries on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 17(2), pp.303-308.

Robinson, N.J. and Peters, W.S. 2018. Complexity of the prey spectrum of Agaronia propatula (Caenogastropoda: Olividae), a dominant predator in sandy beach ecosystems of Pacific Central America. Peer J 6:e4714.

Swiggs, J., Paladino, F.V., Spotila, J.R. and Santidrián Tomillo P. 2018. Depth of the drying front and temperature affect emergence of leatherback turtles. Marine Biology 165:1-10.

2017

Hill, J. E., N. J. Robinson, C. M. King, F. V. Paladino. 2017. Diving Behavior and Thermal Habitats of Gravid Hawksbill Turtles at St. Croix, USA. Marine Biology 164:17.

DOI: 10.1007/s00227-016-3050-4​

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Hoover, A.L., Shillinger, G.L., Swiggs, J. and Bailey, H. 2017. Comparing Acoustic Tag Attachments Designed for Mobile Tracking of Hatchling Sea Turtles. Frontiers in Marine Science 4:225.

Robinson, N. J., F. V. Paladino, and P. Santidrián Tomillo. 2017. Evidence of a Green Turtle Starting its Post-nesting Migration Without Laying all its Vitellogenic Follicles. Marine Turtle Newsletter 152:8-10.

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Robinson, N. J., K. R. Stewart, P. H. Dutton, R. Nel, F. V. Paladino, and P. Santidrián Tomillo. 2017. Standardising Curved Carapace Length Measurements for Leatherback Turtles, Dermochelys coriacea, to Investigate Global Patterns in Body Size. Herpetological Journal 26:133–136.

Robinson, N.J., Figgener, C., Gatto, C., Lazo-Wasem, E.A., Paladino, F.V., Santidrián Tomillo, P., Zardus, J.D. and Pinou, T. 2017. Assessing potential limitations when characterising the epibiota of marine megafauna: effect of gender, sampling location, and inter-annual variation on the epibiont communities of olive ridley sea turtles. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 497:71-77.

Robinson, N.J., Morreale, S.J., Nel, R. and Paladino F.V. Movements and diving behavior of inter-nesting leatherback turtles in an oceanographically dynamic habitat in South Africa. 2017. Marine Ecology Progress Series 571, 221-232.

Santidrián Tomillo, P., Fonseca, L., Paladino, F.V., Spotila, J.R. and Oro, D. 2017. Are thermal barriers “higher” in deep sea turtle nests? PloS ONE 12(5):e0177256.

Santidrián Tomillo, P., Robinson, N.J., Fonseca, L.G., Quirós-Pereira, W., Arauz, R., Beange, M., Piedra, R., Vélez, E., Paladino, F.V., Spotila, J.R. and Wallace, B.P. 2017. Secondary nesting beaches for leatherback turtles on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research 45: 563-571.

Santidrián Tomillo, P., Robinson, N.J., Sanz-Aguilar, A., Spotila, J.R., Paladino, F.V. and Tavecchia, G. 2017. High and variable mortality of leatherback turtles reveal possible anthropogenic impacts. Ecology 98:2170-2179.

Williamson, S.A., Evans, R.G., Robinson, N.J. and Reina, R.D. 2017. Hypoxia as a novel method for preventing movement-induced mortality during translocation of turtle eggs. Biological Conservation 216:86-92.

2016

Robinson, N. J., E. A. Lazo-Wasem, F. V. Paladino, J. D. Zardus, and T. Pinou. 2016. Assortative epibiosis of leatherback, olive ridley and green sea turtles in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom:1-8.

DOI: 10.1017/S0025315416000734

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Robinson, N. J., R. Majewska, E. A. Lazo-Wasem, R. Nel, F. V. Paladino, L. Rojas, J. D. Zardus, and T. Pinou. 2016. Epibiotic Diatoms Are Universally Present on All Sea Turtle Species. PLoS ONE 11(6).

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157011

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Robinson, N.J., S. J. Morreale, R. Nel, and F. V. Paladino. 2016. Coastal Leatherback Turtles Reveal Conservation Hotspot. Scientific Reports 6:37851.

DOI: 10.1038/srep37851

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2015

Cyrus, A. Z., J. Swiggs, P. Santidrian Tomillo, F. V. Paladino, and W. S. Peters. 2015. Cannibalism Causes Size-dependent Intraspecific Pressure but Does not Trigger Autotomy in the Intertidal Gastropod Agaronia propatula. Journal of Molluscan Studies 7:1-9.

DOI: 10.1093/mollus/eyv007

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Dornfeld, T. C., N. J. Robinson, P. Santidrian Tomillo, and F. V. Paladino. 2015. Ecology of solitary nesting olive ridley sea turtles at Playa Grande, Costa Rica. Marine Biology 162:123-129.

DOI: 10.1007/s00227-014-2583-7

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Hill, J. E., F. V. Paladino, J. R. Spotila, and P. Santidrian Tomillo. 2015. Shading and Watering as a Tool to Mitigate the Impacts of Climate Change in Sea Turtle Nests. PLOS ONE.

DOI: 10(6): e0129528

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Neeman, N., J. R. Spotila, and M. P. O’Connor. 2015. A Simple, Physiologically-based Model of Sea Turtle Remigration Intervals and Nesting Population Dynamics: Effects of Temperature. Journal of Theoretical Biology 380:516-523.

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Neeman, N., N. J. Robinson, F. V. Paladino, J. R. Spotila, and M. P. O’Connor. 2015. Phenology Shifts in Leatherback Turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) Due to Changes in Sea Surface Temperature. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jembe.2014.10.019

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Rivas, M., P. Santidrian Tomillo, J. Dieguez-Uribeondo, and A. Marco. 2015. Leatherback Hatchling Sea-finding in Response to Artificial Lighting: Interaction Between Wavelength and Moonlight. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 463:143-149.

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Robinson, N. J. and C. Figgener. 2015. Plastic Straw Found Inside the Nostril of an Olive Ridley Sea Turtle. Marine Turtle Newsletter 147:4-6.

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Santidrian Tomillo, P., M. Genovart, F. V. Paladino, J. R. Spotila, and D. Oro. 2015. Climate Change Overruns Temperature Resilience in Sea Turtles and Threatens Their Survival. Global Change Biology 21:2980-2988.

DOI: 10.1111/gcb.12918

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Santidrian Tomillo, P., M. Genovart, F. V. Santidrian Tomillo, P., S. A. Roberts, R. Hernandez , J. R. Spotila, and F. V. Paladino. 2015. Nesting Ecology of East Pacific Green Turtles at Playa Cabuyal, Gulf of Papagayo, Costa Rica. Marine Ecology 36:506-516.

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Santidrián Tomillo, P., Saba, V.S., Lombard, C.D., Valiulis, J.M., Robinson, N.J., Paladino, F.V., Spotila, J.R., Fernández, C., Rivas, M.L., Tucek, J., Nel, R. and Oro, D. 2015. Global analysis of the effect of local climate on the hatchling output of leatherback turtles. Scientific Reports 5:16789.

2014

Cyrus, A. Z., and W. S. Peters. 2014. The cannibalistic snail Agaronia propatula (Caenogastropoda, Mollusca) is reluctant to feed on autotomized ‘tails’ of conspecifics. Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology 45(5):285-290.

DOI: 10.1080/10236244.2014.935561

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Hill, J. E. 2014. Internesting Diving Behavior and Population Structure of Hawksbill Sea Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) on St. Croix, USVI. MS Thesis. Purdue University, Fort Wayne, IN.

Keene, E. L., T. Soule, and F. V. Paladino. 2014. Microbial isolations from olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) and East Pacific green (Chelonia mydas agassizii) sea turtle nests in Pacific Costa Rica, and testing of cloacal fluid antimicrobial properties. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 13 (1): 49-5.

DOI: 10.2744/CCB-1051.1

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Robinson, N. J., S. E. Valentine, P. Santidrián Tomillo, V. S. Saba, J. R. Spotila, and F. V. Paladino. 2014. Multidecadal trends in the nesting phenology of Pacific and Atlantic leatherback turtles are associated with population demography. Endangered Species Research. 24:197-206.

DOI: 10.3354/esr00604

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Santidrián Tomillo, P., D. Oro, F. V. Paladino, R. Piedra, A. E. Sieg, and J. R. Spotila. 2014. High beach temperatures increase female-biased primary sex ratios but reduce output of female hatchlings in the leatherback turtle. Biological Conservation 176:71-79.

DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2014.05.011

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2013

Backof, T. F. 2013. Tracking and Analysis of the Spatial and Thermal Habitats of Inter-nesting Loggerheads (Caretta caretta) in Kyparissia Bay, Greece. Masters Thesis. Purdue University, Fort Wayne, IN.

Bryan, J. 2013. Concentrations of heavy metals in scute samples from nesting female olive ridley, Lepidochelys olivacea, and eastern Pacific green, Chelonia mydas agassizii, sea turtles in Costa Rica. Masters Thesis. Purdue University, Fort Wayne, IN.

Dapp, D., R. Arauz, M. P. O’Connor, and J. R. Spotila. 2013. Impact of Costa Rican longline fishery on its bycatch of sharks, stingrays, bony fish and olive ridley turtles. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 448: 228–39.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jembe.2013.07.014

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Roe, J. H., P. R. Clune, and F. P. Paladino. 2013. Characteristics of a leatherback nesting beach and implications for coastal development. Conservation and Biology 12(1):34-43.

DOI: 10.2744/ccb-0967.1

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Suss, J. S. 2013. Biophysical and physiological ecology of loggerhead turtle nests at Zakynthos and Kyparissia, Greece. Ph.D. Dissertation. Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA.

 

2012

Blanco, G. S., S. J. Morreale, H. Bailey, J. A. Seminoff, F. V. Paladino, and J. R. Spotila. 2012. Post-nesting movements and feeding grounds of a resident East Pacific green turtle, Chelonia mydas, population from Costa Rica. Endangered Species Research 18: 233-245.

DOI: 10.3354/esr00451

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Blanco, G. S., S. J. Morreale, J. A. Seminoff, F. V. Paladino, R. A. Piedra, and J. R. Spotila. 2012. Movements and diving behavior of internesting green turtles along Pacific Costa Rica. Integrative Zoology. 8(3): 293-306.

DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-4877.2012.00298.x

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Cyrus, A. Z., S. D. Rupert, A. S. Silva, M. Graf, J. C. Rappaport, F. V. Paladino, and W. S. Peters. 2012. The behavioural and sensory ecology of Agaronia propatula Caenogastropoda: Olividae), a swash-surfing predator on sandy beaches of the panamic faunal province. Journal of Molluscan Studies 78(3):235-245.

DOI: 10.1093/mollus/eys006

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Keene, E. L. 2012. Microorganisms from sand, cloacal fluid and eggs of Lepidochelys olivacea and standard testing of cloacal fluid antimicrobial properties. MS Thesis. Purdue University, Fort Wayne, IN.

Saba, V. S., C. A. Stock, F. V. Paladino, J. R. Spotila, and P. Santidrián Tomillo. 2012. Projected response of an endangered marine turtle population to climate change. Nature Climate Change 2: 814-820.

DOI: 10.1038/nclimate1582

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Santidrián Tomillo, P., V. S. Saba, G. S. Blanco, C. A. Stock, F. V. Paladino, and J. R. Spotila. 2012. Climate driven egg and hatchling mortality threatens survival of Eastern Pacific leatherback turtles. PLoS ONE 7(5): e37602.

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0037602

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Troost, A. I., S. D. Rupert, A. Z. Cyrus, B. F. Dattilo, and W. S. Peters. 2012. What can we learn from confusing Olivella columellaris and O. semistriata (Olivellidea, Gastropoda), two key species in panamic sandy beach ecosystems?. Biota Neotropica 12(2): 101–113.

DOI: 10.1590/S1676-06032012000200011

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Valverde, R. A., C. M. Orrego, M. T. Tordoir, F. M. Gómez, D. S. Solís, R. A. Hernández, G. B. Gómez, L. S. Brenes, J. P. Baltodano, L. G. Fonseca, and J. R. Spotila. 2012. Olive ridley mass nesting ecology and egg harvest at Ostional beach, Costa Rica. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 11:1-11.

DOI: 10.2744/CCB-0959.1

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2011

Blanco, G. S., S. J. Morreale, E. Vélez, R. Piedra, W. M. Montes, F. V. Paladino, and J. R. Spotila. 2011. Reproductive output and ultrasonography of an endangered population of East Pacific green turtles. The Journal of Wildlife Management 76: 841–846.

DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.304

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Dornfeld, T. C. 2011. Nesting ecology of solitary olive ridleys, Lepidochelys olivacea, within Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas. MS Thesis. Purdue University, Fort Wayne, IN.

Honarvar, S., J. R. Spotila, and M. P. O’Connor. 2011. Microbial community structure in sand on two olive ridley arribada nesting beaches: Playa La Flor, Nicaragua and Playa Nancite, Costa Rica. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 409: 339-344.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jembe.2011.09.015

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Rafferty, A. R., P. Santidrián Tomillo, J. R. Spotila, F. V. Paladino, and R. D. Reina. 2011. Embryonic death is linked to maternal identity in the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). PLoS ONE 6(6): e21038.

DOI: 10.1371/ journal.pone.0021038

Roe, J. H., N. S. Sill, M. R. Columbia, and F. V. Paladino. 2011. Trace metals in eggs and hatchlings of Pacific leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) nesting at Playa Grande, Costa Rica. Chelonian Conservation Biology 10: 3-9.

DOI: 10.2744/CCB-0837.1

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Rupert, S. D., and W. S. Peters. 2011. Autotomy of the posterior foot in Agaronia (Caenogastropoda: Olividae) occurs in animals that are fully withdrawn into their shells. Journal of Molluscan Studies 77(4):437-440.

DOI: 10.1093/mollus/eyr019

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Sieg, A. E., C. A. Binckley, B. P. Wallace, P. Santidrián Tomillo, R. D. Reina, F. V. Paladino, and J. R. Spotila. 2011. Sex ratios of leatherback turtles: hatchery translocation decreases metabolic heating and female-bias. Endangered Species Research 15:195-204.

DOI: 10.3354/esr00372

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Soslau, G. R., J. Russell, J. R. Spotila, A. Mathew, and P. Bagsiyao. 2011. Acinetobacter sp. HM746599 isolated from leatherback turtle blood. FEMS Microbiology Letters. 322 (2): 166-171.

DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2011.02346.x

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Soslau, G., J. R. Spotila, A. Chun, S. Yi, and K. T. Weber. 2011. Potentially lethal bacteria in leatherback turtle eggs in the wild threaten both turtles and conservationists. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 410: 101–106.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jembe.2011.10.018

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2010

Blanco, G. S. 2010. Movements and behavior of the East Pacific green turtle (Chelonia mydas) from Costa Rica. Ph.D. Dissertation. Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA.

Garrett, K., B. P. Wallace, J. Garner, and F. V. Paladino. 2010. Variations in leatherback turtle nest environments: consequences for hatching success. Endangered Species Research 11: 147-155.

DOI: 10.3354/esr00273

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Hamann , M., M. H. Godfrey, J. A. Seminoff, K. Arthur, P. C. R. Barata, K. A. Bjorndal, A. B. Bolten, A. C. Broderick, L. M. Campbell, C. Carreras, P. Casale, M. Chaloupka, S. K. F. Chan, M. S. Coyne, L. B. Crowder, C. E. Diez , P. H. Dutton, S. P. Epperly, N. N. FitzSimmons, A. Formia, M. Girondot, G. C. Hays, I. S. Cheng, Y. Kaska, R. Lewison, J. A. Mortimer, W. J. Nichols, R. D. Reina, K. Shanker, J. R. Spotila, J. Tomás, B. P. Wallace, T. M. Work, J. Zbinden, and B. J. Godley. 2010. Global research priorities for sea turtles: informing management and conservation in the 21st century. Endangered Species Research 11: 245-269.

DOI: 10.3354/esr00279

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Santidrián Tomillo, P., F. V. Paladino, S. J. Suss, and J. R. Spotila. 2010. Predation of leatherback turtle hatchlings on the crawl to the water. Chelonian Conservation Biology 9: 18-25.

DOI: 10.2744/CCB-0789.1

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Sieg, A. E. 2010. Physiological constraints on the ecology of activity-limited ectotherms. Ph.D. Dissertation. Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA.

Sieg, A. E., E. Zandona, V. M. Izzo, F. V. Paladino, and J. R. Spotila. 2010. Population level “flipperedness” in the Eastern Pacific leatherback turtle. Behavioural Brain Research 206: 135-138.

DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2009.08.023

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Valentine, S. E. 2010. Analysis of climate change on leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) nesting patterns at Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas, Costa Rica. MS Thesis. Purdue University, Fort Wayne, IN.

 

2009

Fonseca, L. G., G. A. Murillo, L. Guadamuz, R. M. Spinola, and R. A. Valverde. 2009. Downward but stable trend in the abundance of arribada olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) at Nancite beach, Costa Rica (1971-2007). Chelonian Conservation and Biology 8(1): 19-27.

DOI: 10.2744/CCB-0739.1

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Reina, R. D., J. R. Spotila, F. V. Paladino, and A. E. Dunham. 2009. Changed reproductive schedule of leatherback turtles, Dermochelys coriacea, in the eastern Pacific following the 1997/98 transition from El Niño to La Niña conditions. Endangered Species Research 7: 155-161.

DOI: 10.3354/esr00098

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Santidrián Tomillo, P., J. S. Suss, B. P. Wallace, K. D. Magrini, G. S. Blanco, F. V. Paladino, and J. R. Spotila. 2009. Influence of emergence success on the annual reproductive output of leatherback turtles. Marine Biology 156: 2021-2031.

DOI: 10.1007/s00227-009-1234-x

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Southward, A., and L. Avens. 2009. Physiological, behavioral, and ecological aspects of migration in reptiles. Journal of Comparative Physiology B 180:1–23.

DOI: 10.1007/s00360-009-0415-8

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Suryan, R. M., V. S. Saba, B. P. Wallace, S. A. Hatch, M. Frederiksen, and S. Wanless. 2009. Environmental forcing on life history strategies: Evidence for multi-trophic level responses at ocean basin scales. Progress in Oceanography 81: 214-222.

DOI: 10.1016/j.pocean.2009.04.012

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Wallace, B. P., and V. Saba. 2009. Environmental and anthropogenic impacts on intra-specific variation in leatherback turtles: opportunities for targeted research and conservation. Endangered Species Research 7: 11-21.

DOI: 10.3354/esr00177

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2008

Garrett, K. 2008. Intra-beach variation in leatherback turtle nest environments: implications for hatchling success and egg relocation strategies. MS Thesis. Indiana Purdue University, Fort Wayne IN.

Honarvar, S. 2008. Effects of density on hatching success of olive ridley nests on arribada beaches. Ph.D. Dissertation. Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA.

Honarvar, S., M. P. O’Connor, and J. R. Spotila. 2008. Density-dependent effects on hatching success of the olive ridley turtle, Lepidochelys olivacea. Oecologia: 157:221-230. 

DOI: 10.1007/s00442-008-1065-3

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Kowalczyk, N. 2008. Sensitivity of leatherback, Demochelys coriacea, nesting activity to lunar and tidal cycles. Honours Thesis. Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.

Saba, V. S., J. R. Spotila, F. P. Chavez, and J. A. Musick. 2008. Bottom-up and climatic forcing on the worldwide population of leatherback turtles. Ecology: 89:1414-1427.

DOI: 10.1890/07-0364.1

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Santidrián Tomillo, P. 2008. Nesting ecology of leatherback turtles at Playa Grande, Costa Rica. Ph.D. Dissertation. Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA.

Santidrián Tomillo, P., V. S. Saba, R. Piedra, F. V. Paladino, and J. R. Spotila. 2008. Effects of illegal harvest of eggs on the population decline of leatherback turtles in Las Baulas Marine National Park, Costa Rica. Conservation Biology 22: 1216-1224.

DOI: 10.1111/j.1523-1739.2008.00987.x

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2007

Clusella Trullas, S., and F. V. Paladino. 2007. Micro-environment of olive ridley turtle nests deposited during an aggregated nesting event. Journal of Zoology 272:367-376.

DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.2006.00277.x

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Piedra, R., E. Vélez, P. Dutton, E. Possardy, and C. Padilla. 2007. Nesting of the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) from 1999-2000 through 2003-2004 at Playa Langosta, Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas de Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 6: 111-116.

DOI: 10.2744/1071-8443(2007)6[111:NOTLTD]2.0.CO;2

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Price, E. R