The Diet of the Green Turtle, Chelonia Mydas (L.), In Torres Strait.

Abstract

The principal genera of plants consumed by green turtles in Torres Strait were Hypnea, Laurencia, Vadalia, Sargassum and Thalassia. Although some selectivity for soft red algae was detected, no evidence was found to support the theory that turtles feed on algae only when seagrasses are unavailable, but nor do algae appear to confer a nutritional advantage on those animals than eat them. Geographical variation in green turtle diets appears to be determined by the relative availability of seagrass and algae and the structure of the local herbivore community.