Dieta de la tortuga verde del Pacífico este Chelonia mydas agassizii (Boucort, 1868) en el estuario de Virrilá, Sechura-Perú. 2013-2018

Abstract

Se estudiaron los hábitos alimentarios de la tortuga verde del Pacifico Este Chelonia mydas agassizii (Boucort, 1868) durante el periodo 2013 - 2018 en el estuario de Virrilá, Sechura. Se practicó la técnica de lavado esofágico a 119 ejemplares vivos. La mayoría de los ejemplares analizados fueron sub – adultos (61,9%), seguidos por juveniles (29,2%) y adultos (8,8%). Las tortugas presentaron hábitos omnívoros, pero con alta predominancia de consumo de materia vegetal. Se identificaron 47 ítems alimentarios, agrupados en nueve Phylum, siendo las algas verdes Ulva sp. y Caulerpa filiformis los ítems principales con (Ai = 18%; Ip = 57%) y (Ai = 11%; Ip = 22%), respectivamente. Seguido de pasto marino Ruppia maritima (Ai = 11%; Ip = 13%), restos de cnidarios como anémonas Actinia sp. (Ai = 4%; Ip = 0,3%). Existió marcada estacionalidad en el consumo de presas, en verano – otoño se consumió C. filiformis (Ip = 78,4%), en invierno - primavera Ulva sp.(Ip = 52,3%) y R. maritima (Ip = 39,9%). También se encontró fragmentos de plástico (24%). El estuario de Virrilá representa una importante área de alimentación para tortugas verdes en etapas medias de desarrollo ontogénico, con predominancia de sub-adultos, convirtiéndose en área prioritaria para la conservación de esta especie amenazada

ABSTRACT: From 2013 to 2018, we studied the feeding habits of the green sea turtle Chelonia mydas agassizii (Boucort, 1868) in the Virrilá estuary, Sechura. The esophageal lavage technique was practiced on 119 live specimens. Most of the specimens analyzed were sub-adults (61.9%), followed by juveniles (29.2%), and adults (8.8%). The turtles were omnivorous but with a high predominance of vegetable matter consumption. A total of 47 food items were identified, clustered in nine phyla, with green algae Ulva sp. and Caulerpa filiformis being the main items with (Ai = 18%; Ip = 57%) and (Ai = 11%; Ip = 22%) respectively, followed by seagrass Ruppia maritima (Ai = 11%; Ip = 13%), and cnidarian remains such as anemones Actinia Sp (Ai = 4%; Ip = 0.3%). There was a noticeable seasonality in prey consumption. In summer-autumn C. filiformis (Ip = 78.4%) was consumed (Ip = 78.4%), in winter-spring, Ulva sp.(Ip = 52.3%) and R. maritima (Ip = 39.9%) were the most consumed; we also found plastic fragments (24%). The Virrilá estuary is an important feeding area for green sea turtles at mid ontogenetic stages of development, with a predominance of sub-adults, which makes it a priority area for the conservation of this endangered species.