Heatwole, H., and Lukoschek, V. (2008) Reptiles. In: Hutchings, Pat, Kingsford, Mike, and Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove, (eds.) The Great Barrier Reef: biology, environment and management. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, VIC, Australia, pp. 342-348.

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Abstract

Six species of sea turtles occur in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Five of these belong to the family Cheloniidae: green turtle (Chelonia mydos), flatback (Natator depressus), olive ridley (Lepidocludys olivacea), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and loggerhead (Caretta caretta). The remaining species, the leatherback or luth (Dcrmochelys coriacea), is a member of the family Dermochelidae.

Each of these species has its own feeding and nesting grounds but there is broad overlap among species. In the non-breeding season the turtles disperse widely to feeding grounds within and well beyond the GBR region. Those nesting on or near the GBR may go as far as Indonesia, New Guinea, the Solomon Is, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Fiji. Only the flatback is endemic to Australia.

Item ID:	7471
Item Type:	Book Chapter (Research - B1)
ISBN:	978-0-643-09557-1
Keywords:	Great Barrier Reef biodiversity; marine reptiles; Great Barrier Reef; sea turtles; sea snakes; biodiversity
Date Deposited:	21 Dec 2009 03:05
FoR Codes:	06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0602 Ecology > 060205 Marine and Estuarine Ecology (incl Marine Ichthyology) @ 50% 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0699 Other Biological Sciences > 069999 Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified @ 50%
SEO Codes:	96 ENVIRONMENT > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960802 Coastal and Estuarine Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity @ 50% 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960808 Marine Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity @ 50%
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