Meeting Abstract
P1.104 Thursday, Jan. 3 Ontogeny of Bite Performance in Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta Caretta) GUZM�N , A.*; MARSHALL, C.D.; Texas A&M University; Texas A&M University at Galveston asalazarguzman@gmail.com
Although it is perceived that loggerheads are powerful biters, no data exists that characterizes their bite performance. Since loggerheads are durophagous, an understanding of their bite performance would provide further insight on feeding behavior, trophic ecology, as well as an understanding for interactions with longline fishing gear. Loggerhead bite force was measured in four known age classes of captive-reared juveniles, and in larger wild and captive turtles of unknown age classes. Mean maximum bite force of hatchlings less than six months was 3.1 N with monthly mean increases of 0.5 N between the ages of 3 and 5 months. Mass was the best predictor of hatchling bite force (Adj. R2 = 0.612). Mean maximum bite force of 9, 20, 34, and 36 month old loggerheads were 22 N, 129 N, 358 N, and 457 N, respectively. Hatchling bite force was less than 1% of bite force attained by turtles three years of age. Bite force in larger sub-adult and adult turtles (SCL 59-99 cm) ranged from 382 to 1,221 N. In all age classes, maximum bite force had a positive linear relationship with all head and body morphometrics (P<0.001). Head width was the best predictor of bite force throughout juvenile ontogeny (Adj. R2 = 0.936). Morphometric predictions of bite force in large, wild and captive loggerheads were higher than observed values in all cases. A power function curve estimation provided the best fit of bite force data throughout ontogeny (Adj. R2 = 0.912).
