(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species TURTLE, SEA, LEATHERBACK
Species Id ESIS152005
Date 14 MAR 96

TAXONOMY

NAME - TURTLE, SEA, LEATHERBACK

OTHER COMMON NAMES - TURTLE, SEA, LEATHERBACK;LEATHERBACK;TURTLE, LEATHERBACK;TURTLE, LEATHERY;TURTLE, LEATHERBACK, ATLANTIC;LEATHERBACK, ATLANTIC;LEATHER BACK, ATLANTIC;TURTLE, LEATHERBACK, PACIFIC;LUTH;TURTLE, TRUNKBACK;TRUNKBACK;TORTUE CUIR;TUORTUE LUTH;LAUD;TORTUGA LAUD;CANAL;CHALUPA;TORTUGA DE CUERO;TINGLADO;SIETE FILOS;SIETE QUILLAS;TORTUGA DE ALTURA;GARAPACHO;GALAPAGO;ORINOOK;CALDON;TURTLE and COFFIN-BACK;COAUANA;TUKUTUBUKING;TIBISIBISCHING

ELEMENT CODE -

CATEGORY - Reptiles

PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - CHORDATA,

CLASS AND SUBCLASS - REPTILIA,

ORDER AND SUBORDER - TESTUDINES,

FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - DERMOCHELYIDAE,

GENUS AND SUBGENUS - DERMOCHELYS,

SPECIES AND SSP - CORIACEA,

SCIENTIFIC NAME - DERMOCHELYS CORIACEA

AUTHORITY -

TAXONOMY REFERENCES -

COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Leatherback Sea Turtle

Dermochelys coriacea (Linnaeus, 1766)

KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Reptile

PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Reptilia
ORDER: Testudines FAMILY: Dermochelyidae

The leatherback is the largest and most distinctive of all living
turtle species. Pritchard (01) in a review of existing information on
the species accepts 6 feet (1.83 m) carapace length and 1500 pounds
(682 kg) as the maximum authenticated length and weight as opposed to
the much higher estimates appearing in newspaper accounts. The front
flippers are long and narrow. The trunk is deep and somewhat
barrel-shaped with a posterior taper to a blunt point. The shell is
covered with a distinctive rubbery skin instead of horny scutes.
There are seven prominent ridges on the carapace and five on the
plastron. The shell shape is maintained by a thick layer of oily
cartilage without the interlocking bones of the other sea turtles.
One, the nuchal, to which a number of muscles attach, is well
developed. There is a layer of mosaic bones only a few millimeters
thick embedded in the skin, however, these bones are greatly thickened
in the longitudinal ridges of the carapace. The mosiac bone is absent
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species TURTLE, SEA, LEATHERBACK
Species Id ESIS152005
Date 14 MAR 96

on the plastron except for some remnants on the ridges, but there is a
ring of flimsy bone which can be homologized with some of the plastral
bones of the other sea turtle species. The upper jaw is distinctive
with a tooth-like cusp on each side. In color the species is
basically black above but it is heavily spotted with white. The
plastron is whitish or pinkish white with varying amounts of black
vermiculations. More information on morphology and identification can
be found in Pritchard (01), Ernst and Barbour (02) and in the "Manual
of sea turtle research" (03).
Three ordinal names - Testudines, Testudinata and Chelonia - have
been in common use by researchers for over a century. Hildebrand
(37), Smith and Taylor (04), Hunt (05), and Gaffney (06) have followed
the use of Testudines, the oldest ordinal name for the turtles.
Some authors have recognized the suborder Athecae (07,08) for the
leatherback, but others have shown that it is closely related to the
other sea turtles and place it in the same superfamily (06).
Some authors have recognized one subspecies, D. coriacea coriacea
(Linnaeus 1766) in the Atlantic and another one, D. c. schlegeli
(Garman 1884) in the Pacific (08). Others maintained this is
premature because nothing but geographical probability supports this
position (04). The Federal Register listing has accepted the
worldwide distribution of a single race of leatherbacks.
Linnaeus described Testudo coriacea in 1766. He based his
description of the leatherback in part on the publications of Vandelli
(1761) and Rondelet (1754) (09). Fretey and Bour (10) located the
leatherback described by Vandelli in the Padua Museum and designated
it as the holotype. However, Linnaeus not Vandelli followed the rules
of binomial nomenclature so he should be considered the original
author, and the Padua University specimen should be designated a
lectotype (09). Vandelli's specimen was collected near Rome, Italy on
the Tyrrhenian Sea in the western Mediterranean and this should be
designated as the restricted type locality (10). A synonymy of the
species is as follows (45):

Testudo coriacea Linnaeus, 1766. Syst. Nat. ed. 12 I:350.
Testudo arcusta Catesby, 1771
Tortuga coriacea Molina, 1782
Testudo tuberculata Schoepf, 1801
Chelonias lutaria Rafinesque, 1814
Sphargis mercurialis Merrem, 1820
Sphargis coriacea var. schlegelii Garman, 1884. Bull. U.S. Nat.
Mus. 25:303.
Dermochelys coriacea Boulenger, 1889. Cat. Brit. Mus. p. 10.
Sphargis angusta Philippi, 1899
Dermochelys coriacea coriacea Carr, 1952, Handb. N. Am. Turtles,
p. 442.

Other combinations of scientific names which have been used in
the literature but are not true synonyms include (45):

Tortuga coriacea
Testudo lyra
Coriudo coriacea
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species TURTLE, SEA, LEATHERBACK
Species Id ESIS152005
Date 14 MAR 96

Scytina coriacea
Sphargis tuberculata
Dermatochelys coriacea
Sphargis coriacea
Chelyra coriacea
Chelonia (Dermochelys) coriacea
Dermochelys schlegelii
Dermatochelys augusta

Common names used for the species (primarily from the United
States and Caribbean region) include (01): Leatherback, leatherback
turtle, leathery turtle, Atlantic leatherback turtle (39), Atlantic
leatherback (40), Atlantic leather back, Pacific leatherback turtle
(41), luth, trunkback turtle, trunkback, tortue cuir, tuortue luth,
laud and tortuga laud (Mexico), canal (Mex.), siete filos (Mex.),
chalupa (Mex.), tortuga de cuero (Mex.), tinglado (Mex.), siete
quillas (Mex.), tortuga de altura (Mex.), garapacho (Mex.), galapago
(Mex.), Orinook (Trinidad), Caldon (Trinidad), coffin-back turtle
(Trinidad), caouana (Caribbean), tukutubuking (Carib.), Tibisibisching
(Carib.).

Taxonomy - 3 (DRAFT) - Status
Species TURTLE, SEA, LEATHERBACK
Species Id ESIS152005
Date 14 MAR 96

STATUS

Coded Status
Alabama; Federal Endangered
Alabama; Unofficially Listed

Florida; Federal Endangered
Florida; Officially Listed
Georgia; Federal Endangered
Georgia; State Listed

Louisiana; Federally Endangered
Louisiana; State Recognized

Maryland; Federal Endangered
Maryland; State Recognized

Mississippi; Federal Endangered
Mississippi; State Listed

North Carolina; Federal Endangered
North Carolina; State Listed

Puerto Rico; Federal Endangered
Puerto Rico; State Listed

South Carolina; Federal Endangered
South Carolina; State Listed

Virgin Islands; Federal Endangered
Virgin Islands; State Recognized
Virginia; Federal Endangered
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species TURTLE, SEA, LEATHERBACK
Species Id ESIS152005
Date 14 MAR 96

Coded Status
Virginia; State Listed

E: Federal Endangered

Commercial
Commercial/consumption
Non-consumptive recreational
Aphrodisiac

COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) has been
designated an Endangered species in tropical, temperate and subpolar
seas pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (50 CFR 17.11;
P.L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1540), as amended.
Critical Habitat has been designated in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin
Islands. Critical Habitat specifically includes: A strip of land 0.2
mile wide (from mean high tide inland) at Sandy Point Beach on the
western end of St. Croix beginning at the southwest cape to the south
and running 1.2 miles northwest and then northeast along the western
and northern shoreline, and from the southwest cape 0.7 mile east
along the southern shoreline (50 CFR 17.95(c)). Critical Habitat also
includes waters adjacent to Sandy Point, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin
Islands up to and inclusive of the waters from the 100 fathom curve
shoreward to the level of mean high tide with latitude and longitude
boundaries at 17 deg. 42'12" North and 64 deg. 50'00" West
(50 CFR 226.71).
The Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976, the Marine
Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) of 1972, and the
Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 all provide or potentially provide
protection or management alternatives for sea turtles. The MPRSA
creates marine sanctuaries out of water areas above the continental
shelf. Three sanctuaries have been designated that potentially
protect sea turtle habitat.
This species is protected by the Lacey Act (P.L. 97-79, as
amended; 16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.) which makes it unlawful to import,
export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any wild animal
(alive or dead including parts, products, eggs, or offspring):
(1) in interstate or foreign commerce if taken, possessed,
transported or sold in violation of any State law or
regulation, or foreign law; or
(2) if taken or possessed in violation of any U.S. law,
treaty, or regulation or in violation of Indian tribal law.
Status - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species TURTLE, SEA, LEATHERBACK
Species Id ESIS152005
Date 14 MAR 96

It is also unlawful to possess any wild animal (alive or dead
including parts, products, eggs, and offspring) within the U.S.
territorial or special maritime jurisdiction (as defined in
18 U.S.C. 7) that is taken, possessed, transported, or sold in
violation of any State law or regulation, foreign law, or Indian
tribal law.

RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCIES:

USFWS -Responsible for the management/recovery, listing, and
law enforcement/protection of this species on land.
NMFS -Responsible for the management/recovery, listing, and
law enforcement/protection of this species while the
turtles are in U.S. waters. The NMFS is the lead
agency and has sole jurisdiction while the species is
in the water (50 CFR 222.23(a) and 227.4).
NPS -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public lands under their control. Also responsible
for conservation (Nat. Park System Organic Act - 16
U.S.C. 1, 2-3)/management/recovery on National Park
Service lands. Taking, possessing, or disturbing of
Federally listed species is prohibited on NPS lands
(36 CFR 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3).

All Federal agencies have responsibility to ensure that any
action authorized, funded, or carried out by that agency is not likely
to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or result in the
destruction or adverse modification of Critical Habitat (50 CFR 402),
and to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the
conservation of the species.

STATE STATUSES AND LAWS:

STATE: Alaska and American Samoa
DESIGNATED STATUS: None.

STATE: Alabama
UNOFFICIAL LIST: Endangered. IN: Mount, R.H. 1986.
Vertebrate animals of Alabama in need of
special attention. Al. Agric. Exper. Sta.,
Auburn, AL. 124 pp.

STATE: California, Delaware, Guam, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode
Island and Virgin Islands.
DESIGNATED STATUS: Recognized Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: CA Department of Fish and Game.
DE Dept. Nat. Resour. & Environ. Contam.
GM Dept. of Agriculture; Aquatic &
Wildlife Resources Division.
LA Wildlife and Fisheries Commission.
ME Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.
Status - 3 (DRAFT) - Status
Species TURTLE, SEA, LEATHERBACK
Species Id ESIS152005
Date 14 MAR 96

MD Department of Natural Resources.
MA Dept. Fish., Wildl. & Rec. Vehic.
NH Fish and Game Department.
NJ Dept. Environmental Protection; Div.
of Fish, Game and Wildlife.
OR Department of Fish and Wildlife.
RI Dept. of Environmental Management,
Division of Fish and Wildlife.
VI Dept. Conservation & Cultural Affairs.

STATE STATUTE: CA Coop. Agree. between the CA Dept. Fish & Game
and the U.S. Fish & Wildl. Serv., pursuant to
the Endang. Sp. Act, 1973 and as amended
11-10-78.
DE Code Annotated, Title 7, Ch. 6, Sec. 601-604.
GM Government Code of Guam, Title XIII, Ch. VI,
Sec. 12301, 12325, and 12350.
LA Statutes Annotated 56:1901 to 56:1907.
ME Revised Statutes Annotated, Title 12, Subsec.
7001, 7751-7756.
MD Natural Resour. Code Ann., Subsec. 4-2A-01 to
4-2A-09, 10-2A-01 to 10-2A-09; Code of Md
Regs. 08.03.01.42, Supp. 4.
MA Nongame Wildlife for Special Consideration in
Mass., Sec. I, 1983.
NH Code of Admin. Rules Fis. 1001.01, 1001.02.
OR Revised Statutes 498.026.
RI Gen. Laws of RI, Subsec. 20-37-1 to 20-37-5.
VI Title 3, Ch. 22, VI Code of Laws, Subsec.
406A; also Title 12, Ch. 9, Subsec. 318.

STATE: Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Mississippi,
New York, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina,
Texas, Virginia and Washington.
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: CT Dept. of Environmental Protection.
FL Game & Fresh Water Fish Commission.
GA Department of Natural Resources.
HI Dept. of Land & Natural Resources.
MS Department of Wildlife Conservation.
NY Dept. of Envirnomental Conservation.
NC Wildlife Resources Commission.
PR Dept. of Natural Resources.
SC Wildlife & Marine Resources Dept.
TX Parks and Wildlife Department.
VA Commission of Game & Inland Fisheries.
WA Department of Game.
STATE STATUTE: CT Gen. Stat. Annotated, Subsec. 26-40d, 26-40e.
FL End. & Thr. Sp. Act of 1977, FL Stat., Sec.
372.072; and Admin. Code, Sec. 39-27.03-.05.
GA Endangered Wildl. Act of 1973, Game & Fish
Code, Subsec. 27-3-130 to 27-3-132; and Rules
& Regs. State of Ga., Sec. 391-4-13-.09.
Status - 4 (DRAFT) - Status
Species TURTLE, SEA, LEATHERBACK
Species Id ESIS152005
Date 14 MAR 96

HI Revised Statutes, Subsec. 195D-4, 195D-5;
Administrative Rules of HI, Sec 13-124-3.
MS Public Notice No. 2156, Eff. Sept. 1, 1981.
NY Code, Rules and Regulations, 182.5.
NC General Statute 113-134, 113-132, 143-239;
15 NC Admin. Code, Wildl. Resour. & Water
Safety, Subch. 10I, Endang. & Thr. Species.
PR Reg. to Govern the Management of Thr. & End.
Species in the Commonwealth of PR, 1985; also
Law No. 83, "Fishing Law".
SC Code 50-15, Rule 123-150.
TX Sec. 43, 67, and 68 of TX Parks & Wildlife
Code; TX Annotated Code, Sec 57.133.
VA Code of Virginia, Subsec. 29-230 to 29-237.
WA Administrative Code 232-12-014.

INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
The leatherback sea turtle is listed in Appendix I of the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora (CITES). It is also listed in the IUCN Red Data Book, 1982,
and the 1986 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals, as endangered.
The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada
(COSEWIC) has listed (1986) Dermochelys coriacea as Endangered in
Canada (46).
In Mexico, sea turtles are protected by the Ley De Desaudlo
Pesquero, May 25, 1972, which authorized establishing seasonal and
catch limits for fish including sea turtles. This law is administered
by the Mexican Department of Fisheries and Department of Wildlife. A
variety of other regulations protect sea turtles in Mexico, both at
sea and on nesting beaches although adequate enforcement resources
remains a problem. On 12 March 1973 the leatherback (Dermochelys
coriacea) appeared on a list of marine species endangered with
extinction that was prepared by the Instituto de Pesca, Division de
Biologia Pesquera, de la Secretaria de Industria y Commercia and
presented to the Organization of American States. Mexico is not a
signatory to CITES.
The United States-Mexican Cooperative Agreement for Wildlife
Conservation was expanded in November, 1984, to include a sub-project
for sea turtles. This agreement is administered in the U.S. by the
Fish and Wildlife Service and in Mexico by the Department of Wildlife
(Departamento de Fauna y Flora Silvestre), and provides for joint
research, management and conservation.

ECONOMIC STATUSES:
This species has subsistence value (and to a lesser degree
commercial value) for its eggs, meat, and skin. The eggs are believed
by some to be an aphrodisiac. Oil from leatherbacks is used in some
countries to seal boat timbers (44). As with all sea turtles in
Florida, the observation of a nesting female leatherback attracts much
attention from local residents as well as tourists.

70/06/02:35 FR 08495/ - Listed as Endangered
Status - 5 (DRAFT) - Status
Species TURTLE, SEA, LEATHERBACK
Species Id ESIS152005
Date 14 MAR 96

77/02/22:42 FR 10462/10488 - Implementation of CITES
78/03/23:43 FR 12050/12051 - Proposed Critical Habitat, St. Croix, VI
78/09/26:43 FR 43688/43689 - Designation of CH, St. Croix, VI
78/10/03:43 FR 45759/ - Final determination of CH, correction
78/11/29:43 FR 55806/55808 - Proposed design. additional CH, St. Croix
79/03/23:44 FR 17710/17712 - Designation of addit. CH, St. Croix, VI
79/05/21:44 FR 29566/29577 - Five year status review
84/11/09:49 FR 44774/44775 - Five year review completion & availabil.
85/01/03:50 FR 00278/00279 - Review regs. on take for subsistence
85/07/22:50 FR 29901/29909 - Five year review
87/03/02:52 FR 06179/06199 - Proposed rule, NOAA, TEDs
87/05/11:52 FR 17615/ - Reopening of comment period, TEDs
87/06/29:52 FR 24244/24262 - Final rule on TEDs
87/07/07:52 FR 25522/ - Notice of 5-year review completion

Status - 6 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS

HABITAT - AQUATIC
COASTAL
OCEANIC

LAND USE -
Residential
Commercial and Services
Beaches

NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES

NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC

Marine, intertidal BB2
Marine, subtidal OW0
Marine, intertidal BB2
Marine, subtidal OW0

COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
Nearly all studies of the leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys
coriacea) have been made on nesting beaches outside the continental
limits of the United States (11,17,18), but even so, most of the
studies have involved nesting intervals, clutch size, incubation
period and numbers of nesting females. Generally, it can be stated
that the beach should be clear of large debris and plant roots or
rocks which would hinder digging. The beach should be above high
tides and it should be wide enough for the turtles to nest beyond the
erosive impact of the sea (18). To the observer of existing nesting
beaches, the leatherback nests chiefly on high energy sand beaches
with a steep slope and a clear deep water approach (01). The number
of animal predators, both feral and domestic dogs and pigs should be
minimal. Some nest sites occur on or adjacent to residential or
commercial lands and may be subject to detrimental management actions
(e.g., beach nourishment).
The species is strictly pelagic (i.e., it feeds in the water
column and not on the seabed. Lazell (19) emphasizes an association
with the Arctic scyphomedusa, Cyanea capillata; one of the principal
food items in New England waters. Others have noted their occurrence
with other scyphomedusans and with the hydrozoan, Physalia (20,21).
The species can endure lower temperature than any other species
of sea turtle and it is found farthest north in the summer (22).

Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species TURTLE, SEA, LEATHERBACK
Species Id ESIS152005
Date 14 MAR 96

FOOD HABITS

TROPHIC LEVEL -
CARNIVORE

LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Crustaceans
General Fish
General Reptilia
General Zooplankton
General Coelenterata
General Crustaceans
General Fish
General Reptilia
General Zooplankton
General Coelenterata

Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species TURTLE, SEA, LEATHERBACK
Species Id ESIS152005
Date 14 MAR 96

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS

G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae

LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Coastal Features: Sandy offshore islands
G
G Coastal Features: Sandy offshore islands
G

Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species TURTLE, SEA, LEATHERBACK
Species Id ESIS152005
Date 14 MAR 96

LIFE HISTORY

FOOD HABITS:
There are no known reports on the food of the leatherback in U.S.
waters that are based on stomach analyses. All authors agree that it
feeds on large planktonic organisms, chiefly scyphozoan jellyfish,
salps (tunicates), and hydrozoans (Physalia). In addition, organisms
such as larval fishes and decapod crustaceans which live commensally
with these organisms are also ingested by the turtles (01,02,23).
In U.S. waters, leatherbacks have often been seen associated with
food organisms, but only once where they definitely observed feeding.
Eisenberg (24) observed leatherbacks feeding at the surface on moon
jellyfish (Aurelia), off the coast of Washington. The largest single
contingent ever observed in U.S. waters was seen off Texas and it was
associated with the cabbagehead jellyfish, Stomolophus meleagris (20).
Leatherbacks have been observed associated with Physalia off the east
coast of Florida (21). Ogren found leatherbacks in the St. Andrew Bay
ship channel (Panama City, FL) associated with ctenophores and
scyphozoans (25). Bleakney (26) found that the species fed on Arctic
jellyfish, Cyanea capillata and associated commensals. Lazell
postulated that the species followed its chief food, Cyanea capillata,
a plankter which was most abundant in New England in summer and autumn
and further south in the winter (19). Hoese and Copeland (27) found
Cyanea most abundant during the winter in Texas waters.
Leatherbacks spend considerable time below the surface (28) and
probably feed extensively at the deep boundary layers (29). They are
often entangled in the gangions of longlines and Shoop suggested that
this is due to attraction to the cyalume bait (29).
Montoya (30) found neonate ridleys in the stomach of leatherbacks
on the west coast of Mexico.

HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
Little is known about territoriality and home ranges, if they
exist, in leatherbacks. They are known to undertake extensive
migrations, e.g., one tagged in French Guiana was retaken in Ghana,
west Africa (31). Nevertheless, leatherbacks appear on the same
foraging grounds year after year. In at least one case, it was
thought to be the same animal (19). The species shows only moderate
philopatry, more to a region than to a specific beach, e.g., they may
nest on several islands in an archipelago during the course of a
single nesting season (11).

PERIODICITY:
Very little has been published on the activity cycle of this
species. The species is active both during the day and night as shown
by its diving cycles. Standora, et al. (28) found that it was
submerged for a greater percent of the time during the night than
during the day.
In the north Atlantic, nesting begins in March and continues into
July (33) but on the Pacific coast of Mexico the peak nesting season
is from November into January (32). In the north Atlantic renesting
occurs approximately every ten days and commonly occurs six to seven
times a season - maximum 9 nestings (35). The few data available on
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species TURTLE, SEA, LEATHERBACK
Species Id ESIS152005
Date 14 MAR 96

intervals between nesting seasons point to alternate years as the
norm (33).

MIGRATION PATTERNS:
The species is migratory in the sense that it returns to the same
general region to nest (29). Whether the foraging migrations are
random or destination oriented is not definitely known, but on the
basis of limited tag returns the Guayana turtles may migrate through
the Gulf of Mexico (31).

COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
Nothing is known about any cover requirement at any age. The
species needs moderately deep water (01).

REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
There appear to be no studies on detailed beach requirements for
the leatherback. To the observer of existing nesting beaches, the
leatherback nests chiefly on high energy sand beaches with a steep
slope and a clear deep water approach (01). This normally means that
the ponderous leatherback must crawl only a short distance to reach a
nesting site above the high tide mark. Nevertheless, eggs are often
destroyed by erosion when clutches are placed too close to the edge of
the sea (18). The leatherback in some areas digs a body pit before
digging the nest. The nest is dug as deep as the extended hind
flippers will reach. If the depth of the body pit is included, the
bottom of the nest hole may be 100 cm below the surface of the beach
(02).

REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
The age at sexual maturity is unknown. If one can judge from
growth rates of hatchlings held in captivity (6 cm at birth and 21.6
cm at 8 months of age (34)), sexual maturity could be obtained in less
than 6 years.
Very few observations of copulation has been reported. These
were reported off the nesting beach of French Guiana (01). The
observations are so few in number that it is possible that most of the
mating takes place elsewhere.
Hirth (35) has summarized in tabular form clutch size, renesting
interval and length of incubation. The average clutch size varies
from 65.6 eggs in Costa Rico (Pacific coast) to 103.7 eggs in South
Africa; renesting interval averages between 9 and 10 days in the
widely separated nesting grounds; length of incubation averages from
56 to 65 days.

PARENTAL CARE:
No parental care occurs. The eggs are deposited in beach sand
and the adults leave the nesting area at the end of the nesting season
(02).

POPULATION BIOLOGY:
Information on the population biology is very scant and it is
chiefly inferred from estimates of the number of females laying eggs
on the principle nesting beaches. These numbers have grown from 1,000
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species TURTLE, SEA, LEATHERBACK
Species Id ESIS152005
Date 14 MAR 96

nesting females in 1961 to 120,000 nesting females in 1983 (13); this
is the result of the discovery of large and important nesting grounds
in the third world.
The number of nesters in the United States outside the Caribbean
Islands is approximately 15 to 30 per year (36). A few transects have
been flown to count foraging turtles along the Gulf and Atlantic coast
(21). The value of these flights as indicators of population size has
been questioned because the leatherback spends so much time submerged
(11).
No population models exist because of the lack of reliable data.

SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
It has been inferred that the distribution and abundance of
jellyfish have a direct relationship to that of the leatherback turtle
(19). Unusual concentrations of jellyfish have at times correlated
with unusual abundance of leatherbacks (20). Unfortunately there have
been no field studies of this predator-prey relationship.
Remora, or sucking fish, (Echeneis naucrates) are parasitic fish
which sometimes attach to the carapace or plastron of leatherbacks
(01).

OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
None.

Life History - 3 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species TURTLE, SEA, LEATHERBACK
Species Id ESIS152005
Date 14 MAR 96

MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE

Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Boating Activities
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Off-Road Vehicles
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Mining
Beneficial Reducing Urban Light Radiation
Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas
Beneficial Land Acquisition
Beneficial Controlling pollution [thermal, chemical, physical]
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Nonnative Vegetation
Beneficial Transplanting Wild Eggs/Wild Seeds
Beneficial Restricting Poaching
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Noncommercial Harvest
Beneficial Regulating commercial harvest levels
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Exotic Vertebrates
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Feral Animals
Adverse Subsistence Hunting/Fishing/Trapping
Existing Subsistence Hunting/Fishing/Trapping
Adverse Incidental Capturing/Killing
Existing Incidental Capturing/Killing
Adverse Poaching
Existing Poaching
Adverse Commercial Exploitation
Existing Commercial Exploitation
Adverse Off Road Vehicles
Existing Off Road Vehicles
Adverse
Existing
Adverse Predation
Existing Predation
Adverse Rural Residential/Industrial Areas
Existing Rural Residential/Industrial Areas
Adverse Recreational development
Existing Recreational development
Adverse Shoreline modification/development
Existing Shoreline modification/development
Adverse Environmental Contamination/Pollution
Existing Environmental Contamination/Pollution
Adverse Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Existing Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Adverse Erosion
Existing Erosion
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Boating Activities
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Off-Road Vehicles
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Mining
Beneficial Reducing Urban Light Radiation
Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas
Beneficial Land Acquisition
Beneficial Controlling pollution [thermal, chemical, physical]
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species TURTLE, SEA, LEATHERBACK
Species Id ESIS152005
Date 14 MAR 96

RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE

Beneficial Controlling/Removing Nonnative Vegetation
Beneficial Transplanting Wild Eggs/Wild Seeds
Beneficial Restricting Poaching
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Noncommercial Harvest
Beneficial Regulating commercial harvest levels
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Exotic Vertebrates
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Feral Animals
Adverse Subsistence Hunting/Fishing/Trapping
Existing Subsistence Hunting/Fishing/Trapping
Adverse Incidental Capturing/Killing
Existing Incidental Capturing/Killing
Adverse Poaching
Existing Poaching
Adverse Commercial Exploitation
Existing Commercial Exploitation
Adverse Off Road Vehicles
Existing Off Road Vehicles
Adverse
Existing
Adverse Predation
Existing Predation
Adverse Rural Residential/Industrial Areas
Existing Rural Residential/Industrial Areas
Adverse Recreational development
Existing Recreational development
Adverse Shoreline modification/development
Existing Shoreline modification/development
Adverse Environmental Contamination/Pollution
Existing Environmental Contamination/Pollution
Adverse Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Existing Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Adverse Erosion
Existing Erosion

COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
The Endangered status for the leatherback sea turtle was
initially based more on the lack of knowledge of population numbers
and distribution (01,11) and locally heavy exploitation of eggs
(e.g., Trengganu, Malaysia) (12) than on hard data.
The nesting population in the Continental United States is small,
and although there are adqequate beaches for the present population,
potential areas for nesting are being reduced by beach development
(13).
Overutilization by man applies only outside American waters and
it primarily involves the overutilization of eggs (01). The meat is
eaten in some countries and the oil is used for medicinal purposes or
boat varnish (14).
In St. Croix, VI, the primary past and present threats to the
leatherback are shoreline development and beach erosion. Development
of St. Croix beaches for residential, commercial and recreational
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species TURTLE, SEA, LEATHERBACK
Species Id ESIS152005
Date 14 MAR 96

purposes (and possibly industrial purposes) has destroyed nesting
habitat (43). Erosion of beaches due to hurricanes and normal wave
wash has washed away nests placed too close to the sea (33,43).
Other adverse factors seem to be of less significance in the
decline of the leatherback in St. Croix. Predators consume both eggs
and neonates. The mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus, an exotic),
feral or domestic dog (Canis familiaris), yellow-crowned night heron
(Nyctanassa violacea) and ghost crab (Ocypode quadratus) are known
predators (33). Hatchlings may get caught in beach debris (sea
grasses, shrubs, coral and large branches left by storms) and die of
dessication. Vehicular traffic on beaches has compacted some nests
preventing the emergence of hatchlings (33,42). Artificial lighting
associated with development near nesting baches has been detrimental
in two ways. The lighting may be deterring females from nesting and
disorienting hatchlings. Lighting from an oil refinery appeared to
disorient a significant number of hatchlings causing them to become
entangled in underbrush and die of dessication (42). Disorientation
due to artificial lighting may become a more serious threat as beaches
are developed.
Potentially the greatest hazard to the survival of the
leatherback may be incidental catch in fishing gear, both longlines
(15) and drift gill nets (16). This is particularly true because the
200-mile fishing limits of most nations have greatly increased fishing
efforts in oceanic areas where the leatherback occurs (16).
Contamination of the ocean by plastic is a threat, many
leatherbacks have been found with polyethylene bags in their
alimentary canal or even large pieces of sheet plastic (13).

APPROVED PLAN:
National Marine Fisheries Service. 1984. Recovery Plan for Marine
Turtles. National Marine Fisheries Service, St. Petersburg, FL
355 pp.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1981. Recovery Plan for the St.
Croix Population of the Leatherback Turtle. U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Atlanta, GA. 20 pp.

The primary objective of the Recovery Plan for the leatherback
sea turtle is to maintain populations at current levels by reducing
limiting factors until an upward trend can be demonstrated on U.S.
beaches. Efforts to attain this objective fall into four major
categories.

I. Mitigate factors affecting terrestrial mortality and/or stress.
A. Manage and maintain natural nesting beaches, including
assessing vulnerability of nests on St. Croix, moving nests
to better locations if necessary (the purchase of Sandy
Point, St. Croix, as a refuge will aid in recovery of this
species). Although not specifically mentioned in the
Recovery Plan, controlling off-road vehicles is recommended.
B. Monitor the invasion of exotic plants on nesting beaches and
control any such invasions.
Management Practices - 3 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species TURTLE, SEA, LEATHERBACK
Species Id ESIS152005
Date 14 MAR 96

C. Control lighting and beach development.
D. Protect hatchlings during emergences from potential predators
such as the mongoose (an exotic) and feral dogs. Trapping
predators or providing wire nest guards may be needed.
E. Provide active law enforcement to protect eggs and adults
from vandals and poachers.
F. Promote legal protection throughout the range of the species.

II. Assess and monitor population levels on nesting beaches.
A. Determine hatching success.
B. Tag or mark females.
C. Count and search for nests by aerial/ground surveys.
D. Estimate available nesting habitat by analyzing available
data and initiating new data gathering devices.

III. Mitigate factors affecting marine mortality and/or stress.
A. Monitor coastal processes of Critical Habitat (lateral sand
movement, etc.).
B. Regulate spoil dumping, dredging, sea floor mining, and
trawler tows (use of TED - turtle esclusion device).
C. Regulate petrochemical industry (particularly bilge pumping
and/or effluent dumping).
D. Promote legal protection throughout the species range through
agreements controlling commercial and noncommercial harvest
and poaching.
E. Regulate methods, gear, areas and seasons of the commercial
fishing in the U.S. and foreign waters.
F. Mitigate mortality from dredge heads and industrial water
intakes.
G. Regulate boat speeds to decrease collision mortality.

IV. Assess and monitor marine populations.
A. Monitor strandings.
B. Monitor incidental captures.
C. Determine the feasibility of aerial and other means of at-sea
monitoring.

Management Practices - 4 (DRAFT) - References
Species TURTLE, SEA, LEATHERBACK
Species Id ESIS152005
Date 14 MAR 96

References

***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****

01 Pritchard, P.C.H. 1971. The leatherback or leathery turtle,
Dermochelys coriacea. IUCN Monograph, No. 1.
02 Ernst, C.H. and R.W. Barbour. 1972. Turtles of the United States.
Univ. Press of Kentucky.
03 Pritchard, P.C.H., et al. 1983. Sea turtle manual of research and
conservation techniques. Prepared for Western Atlantic turtle
Symposium, Ctr. Environ. Ed., Washington, D.C.
04 Smith, H.M. and E.H. Taylor. 1950. An annotated checklist and key
to the reptiles exclusive of the snakes. Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus. 199.
05 Hunt, T. 1958. The ordinal name for tortoises, terrapins and
turtles. Herpetologica 14(3):148-150.
06 Gaffney, E.S. 1975. A phylogeny and classification of the higher
categories of turtles. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 155(5):416-436.
07 Schmidt, K.P. 1953. A check list of North American amphibians and
Reptiles. Univ. of Chicago, Chicago.
08 Carr, A.F. 1952. Handbook of turtles: The turtles of the United
States, Canada and Baja California. Comstock Publ. Assoc., Ithaca,
NY.
09 Rhodin, A.G.J. and H. Smith. 1982. the original authorship and
type specimen of Dermochelys coriacea. J. Herp. 16(3):316-317.
10 Fretey, J. and R. Bour. 1980. Redecouverte du type de Dermochelys
coriacea (Vandelli) (Testudinata, Dermochelyidae). Boll. Zool.
47:193-205.
11 Pritchard, P.C.H. 1982. Nesting of the leatherback turtle,
Dermochelys coriacea, in Pacific Mexico, with new estimate of world
population status. Copeia 1982(4):741-747.
12 Groombridge, B. IUCN Amphibia-Reptilia red data book, Part I,
Testudines, Crocodylia, and Rhynchocephalia. IUCN, Gland,
Switzerland.
13 Mager, A., Jr. 1985. Five-year status reviews of sea turtles
listed under the endangered species act of 1973. NOAA/NMFS.
14 National Marine Fisheries Service. 1984. Recovery Plan for Marine
Turtles. Natl. Marine Fish. Serv., St. Petersburg, FL. 355 pp.
15 Hildebrand, H.H. 1983. Random notes on sea turtles in the western
Gulf of Mexico. Pages 34-41. IN: Western Gulf of Mexico sea
turtle work shop proceedings. D. Owens, et al., eds. Texas A&M.
16 Balazs, G. 1982. Driftnets catch leatherback turtles. Oryx
16(5):428-430.
17 Carr, A.F. and L.H. Ogren. 1959. The ecology and migrations of
sea turtles, 3, Dermochelys in Costa Rica. Amer. Mus. Novitates
No. 1958.
18 Pritchard, P.C.H. 1969. Sea turtles of Guianas. Bull. Fla. State
Mus. 13(2):85-140.
19 Lazell, J.D. 1980. New England waters: Critical habitat for
marine tutles. Copeia 1980(2):290-295.
20 Leary, T.R. 1957. A schooling of leatherback turtles, Dermochelys
coriacea coriacea, on the Texas coast. Copeia 1957(3):232.
21 Hoffman, W. and T.H. Fritts. 1982. Sea turtle distribution along
the boundary of the Gulf Stream current off eastern Florida.
References - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species TURTLE, SEA, LEATHERBACK
Species Id ESIS152005
Date 14 MAR 96

Herpetologica 30(3):405-409.
22 Threlfall, W. 1978. First record of the Atlantic leatherback
turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) from Labrador. Can. Field-Naturalist
92(3):287.
23 Brongersma, L.D. 1972. European Atlantic turtles. Zool. Verh.
Rijksmus. Nat. Hist. Leiden 121.
24 Eisenberg, J.F. and J. Frazier. 1983. A leatherback turtle
(Dermochelys coriacea) feeding in the wild. J. Herp. 17(1):81-82.
25 Yerger, R.W. 1965. The leatherback turtle on the Gulf coast of
Florida. Copeia 1965(3):365-366.
26 Bleakney, J.S. 1965. Reports of marine turtles from New England
and eastern Canada. Can. Field-Naturalist 79(2):120-128.
27 Hoese, H.D., B.J. Copeland, and J.M Miller. 1964. Seasonal
occurrence of Cyanea medusae in the Gulf of Mexico. Tex. J. Sci.
16:240-243.
28 Standora, E.A., J.R. Spotila, J.A. Keinath, and C.R. Shoop. 1984.
Body temperatures, diving cycles and movement of subadult
leatherback turtles, Dermochelys coriacea. Herpetologica
40(2):169-176.
29 Pritchard, P.C.H. 1984. Leatherback turtle overview of biology.
Pages 125-132. IN: Proceedings of the western Atlantic turtle
symposium, San Jose, Costa Rica. P. Bacon, et al., eds.
30 Montoya, A.E. 1971. Hatchling ridleys in stomach contents of
leatherback turtles on the Pacific coast of Mexico. Page 14. IN:
The leatherback or leathery turtle, Dermochelys coriacea. IUCN
Monograph No. 1.
31 Pritchard, P.C.H. 1976. Post-nesting movements of marine turtles
(Cheloniidae and Dermochelyidae) tagged in the Guinanas. Copeia
1976(4):749-754.
32 Marquez, R. A. Villanueva, and C. Penaflores. 1981. Anidacion de
la tortuga laud (Dermochelys coriacea schlegelii) en el Pacifico
Mexicano, Ciencia Pesquero, Inst. Nal. Pesca. Depto. Pesca, Mexico
1(1):45-52.
33 Eckert, K. and S.A. Eckert. 1984. Tagging and nesting research of
leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) on Sandy Point St.
Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, 1983. Unpubl. rep. avail. at: U.S.
Fish & Wildl. Serv., Div. Endang. Sp. and Hab. Conserv.,
Washington, D.C. 20240.
34 Phillips, E.J. 1978. Raising hatchlings of the leatherback
turtle, Dermochelys coriacea. Brit. J. Herpetology 5:667-668.
35 Hirth, H.F. 1980. Some aspects of the nesting behavior and
reproductive biology of sea turtles. Amer. Zool. 20:507-523.
36 Carr, D. and P.H. Carr. 1977. Survey and reconnaissance of
nesting shores and coastal habitats of marine turtles in Florida,
Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Rep. to the Natl. Mar.
Fish. Serv.
37 Hildebrand, H.H. 1985. Personal communication. 413 Millbrook,
Corpus Christi, TX 78418.
38 Rebel, T.P. 1974. Sea turtles and turtle industries of the West
Indies, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. Univ. of Miami Press,
Coral Gables, Florida. 250 pp.
39 Schwartz, A. 1954. A record of the Atlantic leatherback turtle
(Dermochelys coriacea coriacea) in South Carolina. Herpetologica
References - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species TURTLE, SEA, LEATHERBACK
Species Id ESIS152005
Date 14 MAR 96

1954:7.
40 Allen, E.R. and W.T. Neill. 1957. Another record of the Atlantic
leatherback, Dermochelys coriacea coriacea, nesting on the Florida
coast. Copeia 1957(2):143-144.
41 Lowe, C.H., Jr. and K.S. Norris. 1955. Measurements and weight of
a Pacific leatherback turtle, Dermochelys coriacea schlegeli,
captured off San Diego, CA. Copeia 1955(3):256.
42 Towle, E.L., et al. 1978. Report on sea turtle nesting, sighting,
eggs and hatchlings for 1978 in the U.S. Virgin Islands and a
recommended research methodology for dealing with hatchling
disorientation on the beach (with special reference to leatherback
nests at Sandy Point, St. Croix). Island Res. Found.; NOAA/NMFS
purchase order #01-8-D08-00187. On file: U.S. Fish & Wildl. Serv.,
Div. Endang. Sp. and Hab. Conserv., Wash., D.C. 20240. 29 pp.
43 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1981. Recovery Plan for the St.
Croix Population of the Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea).
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Atlanta, GA. 18 pp.
44 Ross, J.P. 1981. Historical decline of loggerhead, ridley and
leatherback sea turtles. Pages 189-195. IN: Biology and
conservation of sea turtles. K.A. Bjorndal, ed. Smithsonian
Instit. 583 pp.
45 Pritchard, P.C.H. 1980. Dermochelys coriacea. Page 238.1. IN:
Catalogue of American amphibians and reptiles.
46 Cook. F.R. and D. Muir. 1984. The Committee on the Status of
Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) history and progress. Can.
Field-Naturalist 98(1):63-70.

***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****

01 Threlfall, W. 1978. First record of the Atlantic leatherback
turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) from Labrador. Can. Field-Naturalist
92(3):287.
02 MacAskie, I.B. and C.R. Forester. 1962. Pacific leatherback
turtles (Dermochelys) off the coast of British Columbia. Copeia
1962(3):616.
03 Pritchard, P.C.H. 1982. Nesting of the leatherback turtle,
Dermochelys coriacea, in Pacific Mexico, with new estimate of world
population status. Copeia 1982(4):741-747.
04 Pritchard, P.C.H. 1971. The leatherback or leathery turtle,
Dermochelys coriacea. IUCN Monograph, No. 1.
05 National Marine Fisheries Service. 1984. Recovery Plan for Marine
Turtles. Natl. Marine Fish. Serv., St. Petersburg, FL. 355 pp.
06 Pritchard, P.C.H. 1984. Leatherback turtle overview of biology.
Pages 125-132. IN: Proceedings of the western Atlantic turtle
symposium, Vol. 1. P. Bacon, et al., eds.
07 Carr, A.F. 1952. Handbook of turtles: The turtles of the United
States, Canada and Baja California. Comstock Publ. Assoc., Ithaca,
NY.
08 Schwartz, F.J. 1979. Status of sea turtles, Cheloniidae and
Dermochelidae, in North Carolina. J. Elisha Mitchell Sci. Soc.
92(2):76-77.
09 Bacon, P., et al., eds. 1984. Natonal report of the United States
References - 3 (DRAFT) - References
Species TURTLE, SEA, LEATHERBACK
Species Id ESIS152005
Date 14 MAR 96

of America. Proceedings of the Western Atlantic turtle symposium.
10 Phillips, E.J. 1978. Raising hatchlings of the leatherback
turtle, Dermochelys coriacea. Brit. J. Herpetology 5:667-668.
11 Yerger, R.W. 1965. The leatherback turtle on the Gulf coast of
Florida. Copeia 1965(3):365-366.
12 Hildebrand, H.H. 1963. Hallazgo del area de anidacion de la
tortuga marina lora, Lepidochelys kempi (Garman), en la costa
occidental del Golfo de Mexico. Ciencia Mex. 22(4):105-112.
13 Chavez, H. and R. Kaufmann. 1974. Informacion sobre la tortuga
marina Lepidochelys kempi (Garman), con referencia a un ejemplar
marcado en Mexico y observado en Colombia. Bull. Mar. Sci. Gulf &
Caribb. 24:372-377.
14 Burchfield, P. 1985. Personal communication. Gladys Porter Zoo,
Brownsville, TX.
15 Pritchard, P.C.H. 1976. Post-nesting movements of marine turtles
(Cheloniidae and Dermochelyidae) tagged in the Guinanas. Copeia
1976(4):749-754.
16 Hildebrand, H.H. 1983. Random notes on sea turtles in the western
Gulf of Mexico. Pages 34-41. IN: Western Gulf of Mexico sea
trutle work shop proceedings. D. Owens, et al., eds. Texas A&M.
17 Guidry, E.V. 1953. Herpetological notes form southeastern Texas.
Herpetologica 9(1):49-56.
18 Lazell, J.D. 1980. New England waters: Critical habitat for
marine tutles. Copeia 1980(2):290-295.
19 Lutcavage, M. 1981. The status of marine turtles in Chesapeake
Bay and Virginia coastal waters. M.S. Thesis, College of William
and Mary, VIMS, Gloucester Point, VA.
20 Mager. A., Jr. 1985. Five-year status reviews of sea turtles
listed under the endangered species act of 1973. NOAA/NMFS.
21 Hoffman, W. and T.H. Fritts. 1982. Sea turtle distribution along
the boundary of the Gulf Stream current off eastern Florida.
Herpetologica 30(3):405-409.
22 Hendrickson, J. 1980. The ecological strategies of sea turtles.
Amer. Zool. 20:597-608.
23 Balazs, G. 1982. Driftnets catch leatherback turtles. Oryx
16(5):428-430.
24 Hillebrand, H.H. 1985. Personal observation. 413 Millbrook,
Corpus Christi, TX 78418.
25 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1986. National Wildlife Refuge
system wildlife use report. Endangered species report FY 85
surveys. On file: U.S. Fish & Wildl. Serv., Div. Endang. Sp. and
Habitat Conserv., Washington, D.C. 20240. 315 pp.
26 Nichols, V.A. and C.H. Du Toit. 1983. A leatherback returns to
Flagler County: A new northern nesting record for the U.S.
Atlantic coast. Herp Review 14(4):107.
27 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1978. Determinatin of Critical
Habitat for the leatherback sea turtle. Fed. Reg.
43(187):43688-43689.
28 Dodd, C.K. 1978. Terrestrial Critical Habitat and marine turtles.
Bull. Maryland Herpetol. Soc. 14(4):233-240.
29 Towle, E.L., et al. 1978. Report on sea turtle nesting, sighting,
eggs and hatchlings for 1978 in the U.S. Virgin Islands and a
recommended research methodology for dealing with hatchling
References - 4 (DRAFT) - References
Species TURTLE, SEA, LEATHERBACK
Species Id ESIS152005
Date 14 MAR 96

disorientation on the beach (with special reference to leatherback
nests at Sandy Point, St. Croix). Island Res. Found.; NOAA/NMFS
purchase order #01-8-D08-00187. On file: U.S. Fish & Wildl. Serv.,
Div. Endang. Sp. and Hab. Conserv., Wash., D.C. 20240. 29 pp.
30 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1981. Recovery Plan for the St.
Croix Population of the Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea).
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Atlanta, GA. 18 pp.
31 Balazs, G.H. 1982. Status of sea turtles in the cental Pacific
Ocean. Pages 243-252. IN: Biology and conservation of sea
turtles. K.A. Bjorndal, ed. Smithsonian Inst., Washington, D.C.
32 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1980. Selected vertebrate
endangered species of the seacoast of the United States -
leatherback sea turtle. FWS/OBS-80/01.12. 7 pp.
33 Allen, E.R. and W.T. Neill. 1957. Another record of the Atlantic
leatherback, Dermochelys coriacea coriacea, nesting on the Florida
coast. Copeia 1957(2):143-144.
34 Woody, J. 1987. Personal communication. U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, NM 87103.
35 Conley, W.J. and B.A Hoffman. 1986. Florida sea turtle nesting
activity 1979-1985. FL Dept. Nat. Resour. Rep., St. Petersburg.
17 pp + tables.
36 O'Hara, K. N. Atkins, and S. Iudicello. 1986. Marine wildlife
entanglement in North America. Ctr. for Environ. Ed. On file:
U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Div. Endang. Sp. and Hab. Conserv.,
Wash., D.C. 20240.

References - 5