Dermochelys
coriacea is a magnificent and incredibly impressive turtle that would make
a wonderful class mascot. As we have learned over the course of the semester,
the leatherback is the largest sea turtle on earth, growing up to seven feet
and over 1 ton. This species represents the only living testudines that traces
its evolutionary roots back more than 100 million years. They are unique in
their flexible leathery, ridged carapace making the animal more hydrodynamic. The
carapace is about 1.5 inches thick and is made up of oil-saturated connective
tissue that overlays dermal bones. Their carapace has seven longitudinal ridges
that taper to a blunt point. Leatherbacks do not have chewing plates like other
sea turtles. Instead they have sharp-edged jaws that are perfectly adapted for
soft-bodied prey such as jellyfish. The esophagus of this species has unique
backward-pointing papillae that help retain soft prey such as jellyfish.
Leatherbacks
have the widest global distribution of all reptile species, and possibly of any
vertebrate on the earth. They part take in the longest migration of any sea
turtle, averaging 3,700 miles. Leatherbacks never stop swimming in the sea,
they remain in perpetual motion. Leatherbacks are currently under the U.S.
Endangered Species Act. Their numbers in the Atlantic appear to be stable, but
the Pacific population is declining due to egg harvest, fishery bycatch and
costal development.
Leatherbacks
have the widest global distribution of all reptile species, and possibly of any
vertebrate on the earth. They part take in the longest migration of any sea
turtle, averaging 3,700 miles. Leatherbacks never stop swimming in the sea,
they remain in perpetual motion. Leatherbacks are currently under the U.S.
Endangered Species Act. Their numbers in the Atlantic appear to be stable, but
the Pacific population is declining due to egg harvest, fishery bycatch and
costal development.
This
organism is a perfect candidate because it is so morphologically unique. Its
size and shape makes it indistinguishable and easy to recognize. They are an
animal that stimulates curiosity and awe in their pure existence. It would be a
once in a lifetime experience to observe a leatherback in the wild, and their
beauty is truly unforgettable. Yet, it is not every day that a person comes
across this animal in the wild. Nature has compensated for this species
fecundity that dates back to Mesozoic Era, and allowed them to exist today.
Sadly, the future of this species lies in our hands.
“In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love
only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.” (Baba
Dioum, 1968)
References:
3 comments:
That mouth is something straight out of a horror movie!
Are the papillae hard or soft? Such a neat, specialized adaptation for its diet.
Excellent quote choice, applicable to almost all circumstances. Although it is often what I don't understand that interests me the most.
I didn't know they had papillae in their throats that were so drastically large. It's a pretty cool adaptation to ensure the slippery jellies don't slide out the throat when they expel excess water from the throat when they open their mouths to eat them in the ocean.
I also wish I could see a leatherback in person! Too bad our aquarium field trip was the week after they released the one they found back into the wild. That would have made that field trip unforgettable. Even thought the one they found was a juvenile, I can only imagine how much space it took up in their sea turtle hospital. So I think I might add seeing one to my bucket list!
I read that the throat papillae are "stiff"; they're sometimes described as spines. In any case, a very cool adaptation!
I love the quote, too (so much that I just posted it in response to another blog entry, before seeing it here)!
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