Demise of an ‘indeterminate’ Plesiochelyid turtle from rising sea levels

 Photo reinterpration by Iván Gromicho

A discovery of sea turtle remains from Jaén, Baetic Cordillera adds knowledge on the oldest sea turtles that once existed on Earth millions of years ago. The supposed new species, Hispaniachelys prebetica, turned out to be a misnomer (i.e. deemed invalid) upon reinterpretation of the sole specimen from Jaén. Since evidence is meager, the sea turtle fossil is classified as an ‘inderterminate’ species of Plesiochelyidae, a diverse group of reptiles from the European Jurassic. This means that the specimen possibly fits in one of the previously defined species of the group [1,2].

As experts point out, the Plesiochelyids from 160 million years ago certainly do not resemble sea turtles today. Growing evidence obtained from Spain supports this claim. Unlike that of the agile, migratory, adventurous sea turtles we see today, the first European sea turtles’ anatomy –unfortunately - restricted them to the coastlines. This constraint and the changing sea levels that occurred 145 million years ago obliterated them [1,2]. That’s natural selection, after all.

Currrently, scientists are working to unravel the diversity in Plesiochelyids.

To ponder more on Plesiochelyidea, refer to the link http://www.bioone.org/doi/pdf/10.4202/app.2012.0115. SeaLifeBase also has information for the 7 living species of sea turtles. Happy learning everyone!

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[1] Plataforma SINC (2015, March 23). First European sea turtles became extinct due to changing sea levels. ScienceDaily. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/03/150318074232.htm

[2] Pérez-García, A. (2014). Reinterpretation of the Spanish Late Jurassic “Hispaniachelys prebetica” as an indeterminate Plesiochelyid turtle. Acta Paleontologica Polonica 59(4):879-885.

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The hit of El Niño on Galapagos penguin

When we think of causes concerning the decline of certain animal species, one of the biggest factors that affect them are human activities. However, that is not always the case. Some populations can fluctuate in size because of natural environmental events [2].

Galapagos penguin drying wings, photo from www.arkive,org

A Galapagos penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus) can be found at the northern part of the equator of the Galapagos Island. They are known as one of the smallest penguin species that has an average height of around 50 centimeters. [1] However because of certain events such as the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), in 1980 this resulted to a decline of its population by 77%. Although 50% of its population were able to recover by 1995, the 1997 to 1998 El Niño caused its population to further reduce to 65%.  [3] The ENSO also introduces a strong negative effect on the behaviour, breeding, and reproduction of the penguins. It was concluded that breeding periods that occur during El Niño result to the failure of the survival of their nests. Galapagos penguins depend on the upwelling of the cool nutrient rich oceanic water that supports the small schooling fish that they feed on. [4] The oceanic conditions have resulted to a decline of food availability due to the increase in its temperature over the past years which have overall reduced the population to more than 50% comparing to its population during the 1970’s.

At present, its population is now around 1800 individuals. [5] Galapagos penguins are classified as Endangered (EN) according to the IUCN red list.

To know more about them, visit SeaLifeBase.

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[1] Akst, E.P., Boersma, P.D., & Fleischer, R.C. (2002) A comparison of genetic diversity between the Galapagos Penguin and the Megallanic Penguin. Conservation Genetics 3:375-383

[2] Ludwig, D. (1996) The Distribution of Population Survival Times. The American Naturalist (147)4:506-526

[3] Boersma, P. (1998) Population trends of the Galapagos Penguin: Impacts of El Niño and La Niña. The Condor (100)2:245-253

[4] Lacy, R.C., Meile, R.J., Parker, P.G., Vargas, F.H. (2013) Modeling Plasmodium Parasite arrival in the Galapagos Penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus) The Auk 130(3):440-448

[5] BirdLife International 2012. Spheniscus mendiculus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 15 April 2015.

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Collaborator of the Week: Denis Lepage

Denis Lepage’s most notable work is his creation of a massive online resource on birds, the Avibase. As a passionate birdwatcher, it all started as a personal endeavour of having a catalogue for his own sightings. Eventually, it became more than that. The database is standing for more than 20 years now and it has been available online since 2003. It hosts an astounding 14 million records - encompassing 10,000 species and 22,000 subspecies of birds with details on their taxonomy, distribution and synonyms in many languages.

Aside from overseeing the database he founded, he is currently a Senior Scientist at the National Data Center, Bird Studies Canada. His resolve in creating the database is rooted in a disciplined organization of the entire bird taxonomy, with the utmost goal of  mapping out the evolution of bird taxonomy and devising concrete solutions for inconsistencies in taxonomic concepts and scientific names. In response to these nomenclature intricacies, he submitted a paper in ZooKeys (http://zookeys.pensoft.net/articles.php?id=3906)whereby his concepts are integrated in Avibase and can then be utilized by other taxonomic groups.

Furthermore, over 10,000 checklists from different countries and regions can be accessed in Avibase. This database encourages people to actively participate by contributing data and sharing their experiences. No doubt that many birdwatchers, along with educators and enthusiasts alike, find his database very useful and interactive.

Being a collaborator of SeaLifeBase, he has supplied invaluable information on seabirds. For that, we are grateful and hopeful for more years of collaborating with you. 

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Biodiversity Heritage Library. Avibase, The World Bird Database. http://blog.biodiversitylibrary.org/2014/08/avibase-world-bird-database.html [Accessed 4/19/2015]. 

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SeaLifeBase opens its doors to summer volunteers

SeaLifeBase welcomes its newest member, our volunteer for this summer, Ms. Shamica Alonso. Mica is taking up her Bachelor ‘s degree in Biochemistry (major in Chemistry) at the De La Salle University. Apart from her passion in visual arts, such as photography, painting and other crafts, she also enjoys fun outdoor activities and was a former varsity member of Miriam College’s Football team, SY 2010–2011. She is looking forward to gain a wider perspective and personal hands-on experience in the field of marine biology, which is one of her current interests.

Welcome to the SeaLifeBase Team, Mica! 

We hope you will also love and enjoy your stay with us.

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International Mother Earth Day 2015: Let us join in! It's our turn to lead

Artwork by: Mike Yap

The 22^nd of April marks the 45^th Earth Day or International Mother Earth Day, where man puts nature on a pedestal and highlights our commitment to be stewards of this planet.

It all started in 1969 when a peace activist, John McConnell, at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco, requested a special day to celebrate and honor the Earth, and the concept of peace. The proposed date coincided with the first day of Spring in the northern hemisphere, March 21, 1970. Then, US Senator Gaylord Nelson, by only a month later, instigated Earth Day on April 22, 1970. Originally, it was only in the US that this was observed, but in 1990, Denis Hayes and his organization brought forth awareness and extended the celebration of Earth Day in 141 nations. Today, Earth Day Network facilitates its annual celebration in more than 192 countries [1].

"But the big decisions that lie ahead are not just for world leaders and policy-makers..." 

                                                                                   - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon [2]

The battle to save the environment is not just for those who are in position, it is a mandate that everybody should take part in. As with the theme of this year’s International Mother Earth Day celebration, “It’s our turn to lead” [2], let us join in and show our support, even in our very simple ways.

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[1] Kharel, G. C. Earth Day 2014: History, Origin and Significance; 10 Inspiring Quotes That Will Touch Your Heart. 22 April 2014. [Accessed 04/21/2015].

[2] International Mother Earth Day 22 April. www.un.org. [Accessed 04/21/2015].


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