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BioMed Central, Revista de Biologia Marina Y Oceanografia, 3(50), p. 597-602

DOI: 10.4067/s0718-19572015000400018

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First confirmed report of hawksbill sea turtle eretmochelys imbricata in nearshore waters of easter island (Rapa Nui)

This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

The hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata; Critically Endangered) has a circumtropical distribution. In Polynesia it inhabits the waters of a great number of slands; however, up to date there are no official records for Easter Island. We document the first report of E. imbricata in Easter Island and Chile based on underwater hotographs and examination of one individual. The confirmation of the presence of hawksbills extends the known distribution range for the species, increases the number of sea turtle species recorded for Chile, and highlights the need for further research on potential threats to the species and the importance of Rapa Nui as developmental and foraging habitat for hawksbills.