. California fish and game. Fisheries -- California; Game and game-birds -- California; Fishes -- California; Animal Population Groups; Pêches; Gibier; Poissons. SEASONAL OCCURRENCE OF LEATHERBACKSEA TURTLES 57 50 45 40 w c 35 •*-' x: 30 if) 25 O 0) 20 J3 b 15 rj 2 10 5 0. J J Months Figure 2. Number of cumulative sightings (bars) for each month of the study period (1986-1991) compared to mean monthly temperatures (line), Monterey Bay, California. were tested for normality using a Kolmogorov-Smimov test (Zar 1984). We assumed all leatherback sea turtle sightings were independent of one another
. California fish and game. Fisheries -- California; Game and game-birds -- California; Fishes -- California; Animal Population Groups; Pêches; Gibier; Poissons. SEASONAL OCCURRENCE OF LEATHERBACKSEA TURTLES 57 50 45 40 w c 35 •*-' x: 30 if) 25 O 0) 20 J3 b 15 rj 2 10 5 0. J J Months Figure 2. Number of cumulative sightings (bars) for each month of the study period (1986-1991) compared to mean monthly temperatures (line), Monterey Bay, California. were tested for normality using a Kolmogorov-Smimov test (Zar 1984). We assumed all leatherback sea turtle sightings were independent of one another. No two sightings from a single day were used unless sightings were at least 5 km apart or were made by the skipper of the same boat moving along an unchanged heading. Leatherback sea turtle stranding data (1961-1991) and observations of other sea turtles species (green: Chelonia mydas\ olive ridley: Lepidochelys olivacea; 1982- 1991) were also compiled for the Monterey Bay area. RESULTS Ninety-six observations of leatherback sea turtles were recorded during 1986 to 1991 (Figure 1). The greatest number of sightings occurred in August {n = 47), corresponding to the highest mean monthly SST for the study period (Figure 2). There were significantly greater numbers of leatherback sea turtle sightings during months of warm SST than during months of normal or cool SST (A^= , P < ). SST during August 1987, 1988, and 1990 were higher than normal, and these months accounted for 41% of sightings during the study period. Twelve leatherback sea turtles (Table 1) and five other sea turtles (Table 2) have been reported stranded in Monterey Bay. DISCUSSION Stinson (1984) found that observations of leatherback sea turtles correspond with the movement of the 16 C isotherm along the west coast of North America. This isotherm remains offshore during much of the year, but during early spring and summer the coast of California is inundated by warmer offshore waters and the 16°C. Pl
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