Individual plasticity in response to rising sea temperatures contributes to an advancement in green turtle nesting phenology
Individual plasticity in response to rising sea temperatures contributes to an advancement in green turtle nesting phenology
Phenological changes – i.e., shifts in the timing of biological events – are among the most frequently reported population-level responses to climate change and are often assumed to be adaptive and increase population viability. These may be driven by both individual-level phenotypic plasticity and population-level evolutionary and demographic changes. Yet, few studies have explored how individual-level versus population-level processes drive phenological trends. Using a 31-year dataset of over 600 individually marked nesting green turtles (Chelonia mydas), we quantify the population- and individual-level temporal change in the first nest date. Of the latter, approximately 30% is attributable to individual phenological plasticity to a rise in sea surface temperature, with females advancing their nesting by 6.47 days for every degree increase in sea surface temperature. The remaining change is almost entirely explained by individual- and population-level changes in size and breeding experience (correlates of age), as well as the number of clutches laid per season. This is the first study of individual-level phenological change in a marine ectotherm, furthering our understanding of how this and similar species may respond to rising temperatures.
Funding provided by: British Associate of Tortoise KeepersCrossref Funder Registry ID: Award Number: Funding provided by: British Chelonia GroupCrossref Funder Registry ID: Award Number: Funding provided by: British High CommissionCrossref Funder Registry ID: Award Number: Funding provided by: British Residents SocietyCrossref Funder Registry ID: Award Number: Funding provided by: Carnegie Trust for the Universities of ScotlandCrossref Funder Registry ID: Award Number: Funding provided by: Erwin Warth FoundationCrossref Funder Registry ID: Award Number: Funding provided by: Karşıyaka Turtle WatchCrossref Funder Registry ID: Award Number: Funding provided by: Glasgow University CourtCrossref Funder Registry ID: Award Number: Funding provided by: Kuzey Kıbrıs TurkcellCrossref Funder Registry ID: Award Number: Funding provided by: the MAVA FoundationCrossref Funder Registry ID: Award Number: Funding provided by: MEDASSET UKCrossref Funder Registry ID: Award Number: Funding provided by: Roger de FreitasCrossref Funder Registry ID: Award Number:
Individual variation, demographic change, Phenology, plasticity, Climate change, adaptation
Individual variation, demographic change, Phenology, plasticity, Climate change, adaptation
citations This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).0 popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.Average influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).Average impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.Average
Citations provided by BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!