This review summarizes all existing data and knowledge of the demographic variables and their stochasticity of Hawaiian green turtles. The population numbers roughly 4000 breeding females today, having rebounded from its near extinction in the early 1970s, with most of the nesting restricted to French Frigate Shoals in the remote and geologically ancient Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. A timeline is provided of the scientific monitoring for this population and associated data streams relating to morphometrics, maturity, nest dynamics, sex ratio, as well as population growth and viability.

The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) comprises an extensive expanse of hills located in the far southeast of Bangladesh, bordered by India and Myanmar. CHT covers more than 10% of the total land area of Bangladesh and lies within the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot. Because of political instability and the generally remote nature of this region, it remains as the least explored area in Bangladesh. Very little is known about the chelonian fauna of CHT. We investigated the occurrence, conservation status, and exploitation of chelonians in the southern part of CHT, in Sangu–Matamuhuri Reserve Forest and adjacent areas, from 2011 to 2015. During our survey, we obtained specimen-based records of 8 species: Arakan Forest Turtle (Heosemys depressa), Asian Brown Tortoise (Manouria emys), Keeled Box Turtle (Cuora mouhotii), Elongated Tortoise (Indotestudo elongata), Sylhet Roofed Turtle¹ (Pangshura sylhetensis), Asian Leaf Turtle (Cyclemys spp.), Malayan Softshell Turtle (Amyda ornata), and Indian Flapshell Turtle (Lissemys punctata). The critically endangered H. depressa and the endangered C. mouhotii are recorded from Bangladesh for the first time, and the endangered P. sylhetensis is recorded from CHT for the first time. We documented 2 isolated populations of M. emys in the Sangu-Matamuhuri Reserve Forest. We did not find any evidence of large-scale, commercial turtle harvesting in our survey area. Subsistence hunting is probably the most immediate threat to chelonians in this region. With no intervention, subsistence hunting will likely cause large-scale local extirpation of extant, low-density populations. Considering the species diversity and the opportunities for long-term conservation, CHT may be considered to be a priority site for conservation of these species in danger. To mitigate turtle hunting, we recommend a bottom-up, community-based conservation model, the foundation of which should be based on trust, traditional ecological knowledge, community participation, and ecological science.

Conservation of the imperiled spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata) at the regional level (i.e., Georgia, USA) will require knowledge of the species historic and contemporary distribution, activity patterns, and habitat preferences. To address these needs, we compiled 170 records of spotted turtles in Georgia from 1892 to 2014, including 89 museum records, 80 records based on credible observations or photos, and 1 literature record. There are recent (1995–2014) records for 79 locations in 31 counties, with 29 of these occurring on 14 conservation lands. Our results demonstrate that the spotted turtle ranges throughout much of the Coastal Plain of Georgia including the Flint River and Withlacoochee River drainages of the Gulf Coastal Plain. Half of the records for which habitat could be classified (62 of 124 records, 50%) were associated with blackwater creek swamps or seepage slope swamps. Remarkably, all but 4 Georgia spotted turtle records with body size data (i.e., 150 of 154; 97%) were based on adult turtles. The majority of Georgia records with the date included were from the late winter–spring (134 of 160 records, 84%, February–May). Likewise, the majority of observations were turtles found on roads (94 of 170 records; 55%), the majority of which (63; 67%) were alive. For the spotted turtle in Georgia, we recommend 1) continued protection and state-listing status, and 2) initiating long-term mark–recapture efforts to estimate population sizes and demographics and evaluate population trends.

The Asian giant softshell turtle, Pelochelys cantorii, is endangered and has been designated as a first-grade protected animal in China. This article reports the results of a study on the reproductive biology of Asian giant softshell turtles. Two individuals, a male and a female from the Suijiang River in Guangning County, Guangdong Province, were introduced into captivity 8 yrs ago. The 2 turtles have engaged in mating activity since April 2014, and the female laid a total of 66 eggs in 2014 (25 eggs on 15 June, 22 eggs on 30 June, and 19 eggs on 14 July). The egg laying took an average of 50.6 min. Egg shape was spherical, and mean (± SD) egg mass was 13.27 ± 0.97 g, with mean diameter 2.90 ± 0.12 cm. The viability rate was 46% and the hatching rate 33%, and only 10 neonates successfully hatched. Hatchling body weight averaged 10.0 ± 0.56 g, carapace length averaged 42.25 ± 3.69 mm, carapace width averaged 40.25 ± 1.58 mm, and carapace height averaged 12.54 ± 0.91 mm. The juvenile turtles differed from the adults in body color. The juvenile plastron is white; carapace, head, neck, and limbs have some small irregular black and pale yellow spots.

Using 8 polymorphic microsatellite loci, we explored genetic variability in Texas spiny softshell turtles (Apalone spinifera emoryi) in the region of Big Bend National Park (BBNP) and the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV), which are located in western and southern regions, respectively, of the distribution of the subspecies in Texas. The presence of multiple anthropogenic stressors, such as river flow alterations, human population expansion, and direct harvest, motivated us to evaluate whether genetic consequences of these stressors have become apparent in this species. A low but significant level of genetic differentiation was detectable between these 2 regions. There was also detectable isolation by distance among the turtles in LRGV but not among turtles in BBNP, possibly because the LRGV localities were discontinuous ponds, whereas the BBNP localities were continuously joined stretches of the Rio Grande. We detected no evidence of a recent population bottleneck in BBNP or the LRGV. However, turtles are generally long-lived and, because harvest activity peaked in the 1990s, it is likely that detecting harvest-related changes would be challenging. Continuous long-term sampling is necessary to evaluate the genetic consequences of anthropogenic pressures.

Kyphosis, a congenital humpback condition of the spinal column, has been reported across a broad range of chelonian taxa. These reports are often of single observations and lack background information about the history of the animal(s) involved. A kyphotic female midland painted turtle (Chrysemys picta marginata) reported herein is a member of a long-term mark–recapture study in Algonquin Park (Ontario, Canada), providing a unique opportunity to document life-history characters of a kyphotic turtle over 18 yrs and draw comparisons to other members of her cohort and population. Despite her spinal deformity, the somatic growth, body size, age at sexual maturity, and reproduction of the kyphotic female have been similar to those of nonkyphotic females in our long-term study population, suggesting that the condition has not compromised her fitness.

Loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta are globally endangered. The population nesting in Cabo Verde is genetically distinctive and numerically important in a global context. In Cabo Verde, the majority on the nesting takes place on the island of Boavista, but recent work suggests that other important nesting sites may exist. Santa Luzia is the only large uninhabited island in Cabo Verde. In this study, beach surveys revealed 289 nests in 2011, 1817 nests in 2012, and 563 nests in 2013, which means that Santa Luzia may host more than 1% of the loggerhead nesting population in the Atlantic. The sex ratio of turtle hatchlings currently being produced on Santa Luzia is female biased, but there is still a good production of males. The results highlight the importance of the island of Santa Luzia for the conservation of loggerhead turtles, particularly considering that unlike other islands in Cabo Verde, this is a nature reserve where no beach development is taking place and where nest and female poaching is well controlled by the activities of conservation organizations, such as the nongovernmental organization Biosfera 1.

Genetic markers are often used to designate population units for management and conservation, but widespread sharing of mitochondrial DNA control-region haplotypes defined from short (< 500 base-pair [bp]) sequences often limits inferences of population connectivity in marine turtles. Haplotype CM-A8, defined from 490-bp sequences, dominated the haplotype profiles of the 3 major green turtle (Chelonia mydas) rookeries in Brazil. Previous analyses based on 490-bp haplotypes did not detect differentiation between the northern rookeries of Atol das Rocas and Fernando de Norohna, but did indicate differentiation of the northern rookeries from Trindade Island in the south. We reexamined the stock structure of the Brazilian green turtle rookeries using 817-bp control region and mitochondrial short tandem repeat (mtSTR) sequences. Nine 490-bp haplotypes were subdivided into 41 haplotypes by combining 817-bp and mtSTR sequences. Eight of the 14 CM-A8 turtles from Fernando de Noronha carried mtSTR haplotypes that were not detected in the larger rookeries. Pairwise exact tests indicated that the northern Brazilian green turtle rookeries of the Rocas Atoll and Fernando de Noronha are discrete populations with respect to female natal homing. Moreover, several apparently endemic markers in the 3 Brazilian green turtle nesting populations should improve resolution of future mixed-stock analyses. Comparable data are needed from green turtle rookeries in the central and eastern Atlantic to assess structure and connectivity at the ocean basin scale.

The present study is the first to characterize Kemp’s ridley turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) diets between the west-central Florida estuaries of Tampa Bay to Charlotte Harbor. We analyzed the stomach contents of 20 stranded subadult L. kempii and found that their diets were primarily carnivorous, consisting mostly of calico crab (Hepatus epheliticus), stone crab (Menippe mercenaria), and blue crab (Callinectes sapidus). In addition, we found uncommon prey items including fish and horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus), suggesting these L. kempii are opportunistic feeders. When separated into 2 size classes (25–45 [n = 9] and > 45 [n = 11] cm straight carapace length), there was a significant difference in the turtles’ diet composition. These new insights into the ecology and life history of a critically endangered sea turtle reveal essential prey resources used by a poorly studied yet crucial subadult life stage.

The presence of human activity near freshwater turtle habitat can have a negative impact on a range of turtle behaviors. We assessed whether human use of a recreational trail had an effect on basking behavior of western pond turtles (Actinemys marmorata) by observing individuals basking while we monitored recreational disturbances. Based on our results, we suggest limiting the number or times of operation of motor vehicle traffic adjacent to western pond turtle habitat to restrict impacts on basking behavior.

Easter Island has experienced a marked increase in tourism during the past few decades; this has intensified the use of natural resources, which has in turn posed new threats to marine wildlife. To gather information on marine turtle species inhabiting Easter Island and research needs for their conservation, we conducted interviews with local communities and combined them with coastal and underwater surveys. Interviews indicated the presence of five marine turtle species and highlighted an important historical connection with the Rapa Nui culture; we identified several potential threats associated with growing tourism that should be taken as a research priority and integrated with environmental education programs in order to ensure the long-term conservation of marine turtles on this remote island in the Southeast Pacific.

In total, there are 11 confirmed records of the olive ridley turtle, Lepidochelys olivacea, from the Persian Gulf through June 2015, including 9 and 2 records from northern and southern coasts of the Gulf, respectively. Furthermore, on 16 May 2013, nesting was recorded from Nayband Marine-Coastal National Park, which is the first record of olive ridley nesting in the Gulf and is also the most northerly nesting account for the species in the Western Indian Ocean. Although few, these records suggest that the species lives and reproduces in the Persian Gulf.

Three predator exclusion devices were designed and deployed with the goal of denying raccoons access to simulated turtle nests (n = 116) for 48 hrs. A novel design, a roughly conical cage constructed using wooden dowels for bars, protected nests through 3 trials at rates of 100% (n = 4), 100% (n = 8), and 70% (n = 84). This new cage design offers a portable, inexpensive, and reusable alternative for protecting nests of diamondback terrapins and potentially other emydid species.

We replicated the turtle nest predation-reducing technique used successfully in 2013 by Lamarre-DeJesus and Griffin to test its generality with a different turtle species and a different predator. We found that the application of habanero pepper powder to diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) nests did not reduce predation by raccoons (Procyon lotor). This suggests that the efficacy of predator-reducing techniques should be tested for each combination of turtle and predator species.

We applaud the 2015 report of Burke et al. to broaden the testing of habanero pepper powder as a potential deterrent to nest predation of turtle nests. Although we had much success in reducing nest predation rates by coyotes (Canis latrans) at loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nests (Lamarre-DeJesus and Griffin 2013), our results were based on only 1 season of data at 1 beach location in South Carolina. We suspect that the dramatic difference in the efficacy of habanero pepper for reducing nest predation rates between our study for loggerheads and those reported by Burke et al. for diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) may be related primarily to the predators involved.

We review the current practices of podocnemidid turtle conservation programs in South America and summarize the direct and indirect negative consequences that some of these practices may have on the populations we are attempting to manage. We argue that programs that only focus on nest transfer and head-starting as their conservation strategies would be better served by redirecting their efforts toward the protection of subadults and adults and in conducting monitoring programs designed to evaluate the impact of their management practices. Also, we make suggestions for other ways that the management of podocnemidid populations may be improved without resorting to manipulative ex situ practices that may well do more harm than good.