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Use of biochemical markers to understand sea turtle population
connectivity between oceanic and neritic foraging areas
Doctoral Dissertation Research
Melania C. López-Castro
Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research. Department of Zoology. University of Florida.
Project summary
Many endangered and commercially important marine species migrate between
their foraging and reproductive areas in order to utilize suitable habitats for their growth
and reproduction. These migrations are usually seen as movements from one end point
(breeding area, place of birth) to another (foraging areas either coastal or oceanic).
However some animals (fish, marine mammals and sea turtles) have other intermediate
developmental areas, often within the oceanic environment, that are critical to the
recruitment of new organisms to their breeding population. The exact location of these
developmental areas, the duration of time organisms spend in these areas, or how these
oceanic areas connect with the neritic foraging grounds, remain unknown for many
species. For sea turtles, the oceanic developmental grounds of all but one population
remain unknown resulting in many management and conservation challenges (Bjorndal
et al. 2000).
Recent studies conducted by researchers at the Archie Carr Center for Sea
Turtle Research at the University of Florida, using stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen
from carapace samples of green sea turtles Chelonia mydas, and skeletochronology and
growth models in young loggerheads Caretta caretta in the North Atlantic have
demonstrated that the post-hatchlings of these two species spend from five (green
turtles) to 11.5 years (loggerheads) in the oceanic environment before entering neritic
foraging areas (Bjorndal et al. 2000, Bolten 2003a, Reich et al. 2007). These studies
addressed the mystery of the “lost years” that has intrigued sea turtle biologists for
decades. Using stable isotopes of C and N, studies by Reich et al. (2007) identified the
type of habitat utilized by post-hatchling green turtles in the North Atlantic, but the exact
locations of these developmental areas remain unknown.
Therefore, I propose to investigate the use of stable isotopes and additional
biochemical and biological markers to determine connectivity patterns among oceanic
and neritic foraging habitats of green sea turtles.
1
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Project description
Introduction
As marine vertebrates, sea turtles spend most of their lives in the ocean. During
this time, sea turtles pass through discrete ontogenetic stages and migrate long
distances between their developmental habitats (except for one species, the flatback
turtle Natator depressus, Musick and Limpus 1997). After they emerge from nests on
sand beaches, hatchlings enter the ocean and are incorporated into oceanic gyre
systems that take them to oceanic feeding habitats where they stay for an unknown
time. This life stage of sea turtles is known as the “lost years” and it is thought to last
about 5 years or more depending on the species (Bolten 2003b, Figure 1).
Figure 1. Life history patterns of sea turtles. Type 1: complete development in the
neritic zone. Type 2: early juvenile development in the oceanic zone and later juvenile
development in the neritic zone. Type 3. Complete development in the oceanic zone
(taken from Bolten 2003b).
1
While the location of many nesting beaches and coastal foraging areas for
juvenile and adult sea turtles are known, the location of oceanic developmental areas of
young turtles is still a mystery. Locating these areas has become an important goal in
sea turtle conservation because it will help us understand the way in which the different
developmental and reproductive areas are connected and how changes in the
environment affect the movements of hatchlings and their recruitment to coastal foraging
areas (Webster et al. 2002, DiBacco et al. 2006, Marra et al. 2006). In order to solve this
mystery, the next step is to understand connectivity; that is establishing how many
oceanic foraging areas exist and how they connect to the neritic foraging habitats.
Background
Although several methods have been used successfully to find migratory
pathways of adult and subadult sea turtles (genetic markers: Bowen and Karl 1997,
Encalada et al. 1998, Lahanas et al. 1998, Dutton et al. 1999; satellite telemetry: Balazs
1993, Nichols et al. 2000, Polovina et al. 2000, Bentivegna 2002; metal tags) none of
these methods is suitable for locating the migratory pathways of hatchlings and finding
their oceanic nursery areas. Only very recently, the use of stable isotopes (nitrogen and
carbon) in sea turtle research has helped solve part of the “lost year” puzzle in sea turtle
biology by confirming that North Atlantic populations of green turtle post-hatchlings
spend about 5 years in oceanic environments feeding on a carnivorous diet (Reich et al.
2007). However, no information could be obtained on the geographic location of the
developmental grounds for the green turtles in the North Atlantic. We also do not know
how juvenile loggerheads in oceanic habitats around the Azores connect to the other
developmental areas.
Therefore, I propose to use stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, lead,
and hydrogen and other chemical markers such as trace elements and heavy metals
(Pb, Mn, Hg, Sr, Cd) to understand the connectivity between the oceanic and the neritic
foraging areas of sea turtles and possibly locate the oceanic foraging grounds. Stable
isotopes have been widely used to understand migratory connectivity in several bird
species and other marine organisms (Burton and Koch 1999, Webster et al. 2002), while
trace elements and heavy metals have been shown to be useful in determining
connectivity between molting sites of birds at different latitudinal regions, based on the
fact that mineral profiles vary geographically (Zsép et al. 2003). In the marine
environment, the availability of these elements can change depending on temperature,
2
depth, distance from the coast, and other oceanographic factors (Newman et al. 2000,
Abouchami et al. 2005).
We know from satellite telemetry that juvenile and adult turtles use current
systems to move between their neritic foraging areas and breeding areas and that
oceanic juveniles probably use them as well (Fig. 2). Since the diet of post hatchlings is
mainly carnivorous, it has been assumed that these turtles spend most of their time in
fronts or convergence areas where food availability is high (Luschi et al. 2003). Each of
these water masses (oceanic gyres, major oceanic current systems) present unique
characteristics (biochemical and biological) that are reflected by the organisms that live
in them (Beaugrand et al. 2002). By analyzing the concentration of an array of trace
elements, heavy metals and stable isotopes in turtle tissues from different latitudinal
points (distinct neritic foraging areas) and studying their relationship, it may be possible
to determine the patterns of connectivity among oceanic foraging habitats and between
oceanic and neritic foraging areas of sea turtles.
Fig. 2. Major current systems and some of the known foraging and breeding
areas for the seven species of sea turtles (constructed after data from Chaloupka et al.
2004, Luke et al. 2004, Bolker et al. 2007; ocean currents map from
http://blue.utp.edu/paullgj/geog3333/lectures/oceancurrents-1.gif).
3
Objectives and hypotheses
The goal of my research is to investigate the use of biochemical and biological
markers to understand the connectivity patterns of the developmental areas of sea
turtles. I will use scute material for two main reasons: hard tissues preserve a better
record of the exposure of organisms to heavy metals and trace elements and of the diet
of the organisms; and they also record a history since the growth of these tissues is
formed by layers deposited through time (Reich et al. 2007).
I have three hypotheses. The isotopic signal and the concentration of heavy
metals and trace elements found in the scutes of turtles from different neritic foraging
grounds are: 1) the same, indicating the presence of only one oceanic foraging area in
which hatchlings spend their lost years (Fig. 3a).
2) are different, with the same values within each foraging ground. This would
indicate the presence of multiple oceanic foraging areas, each connected with only one
neritic foraging ground (Fig. 3b).
3) are different but a mix of values at each foraging ground. This would indicate
the presence of multiple oceanic foraging grounds, but each of these connected with
more than one neritic foraging grounds (Fig. 3c).
Fig. 3. Hypothetical scenarios of
the connectivity patterns based
on the stable isotope and
chemical analyses: A) one
oceanic foraging area connected
with all neritic foraging areas
(FG). B) Several oceanic
foraging areas each connected
with one FG. C) Several oceanic
foraging areas connected with
more than one FG. P1 and P2
are measured parameters.
4
Methods
To test my hypotheses, I will collect carapace and skin samples of small (<35 cm
of carapace length) juvenile green sea turtles in five neritic foraging grounds: Bermuda,
Bahamas, Barbados, and northern and southern Brazil. Besides being areas where
samples can be obtained due to the collaboration with the Archie Carr Center for Sea
Turtle Research, they are located along a latitudinal gradient which increases the
probability of sampling turtles from a range of oceanic habitats.
I will collect two samples from each second lateral scute (one posterior and one
anterior) of every turtle captured, one set of samples for the stable isotope analysis and
the other for the chemical analysis of heavy metals and trace elements. The stable
isotope analyses will help define the layers in which I should focus the analyses of heavy
metals and trace elements. Because there will be differences in the sizes of the turtles
captured, the number of growth layers in the carapace could be different. The stable
isotope analysis will tell me which layers correspond to the oceanic phase of the turtles.
Based on the results of the stable isotope analysis, I will determine the
concentration of select heavy metals and trace elements and their possible interrelationships (the combination of some of these elements could be exclusive for one
oceanic site) in order to evaluate which of the three hypotheses best explains my
findings. In order to do that I will conduct a multivariate analysis of variance to analyze
the element composition of scutes of the different neritic foraging grounds. I will also
conduct a principal component analysis with a hierarchical cluster analysis to find
homogeneous clusters (groups of data) on the basis of the principal component analysis.
Time line of work to be completed
Year 1
Summer
Sample collection
Fall
Sample collection
Spring
Stable isotopes, trace
and heavy metal
analysis
Year 2
Sample collection
Sample collection
Stable isotopes, trace
and heavy metal
analysis
Year 3
Data analysis
Completion of the
project
Writing the Manuscript
Publication of results
5
Expected significance
Intellectual Merit
Until now, locating oceanic foraging areas for sea turtles has not been possible
and hence, migratory pathways between these areas and the neritic foraging grounds
have remained unknown. The information obtained with this research will help answer
some of the questions about the connectivity of sea turtle populations by finding possible
migratory pathways between the developmental areas (oceanic and neritic) of green
turtles in the Atlantic Ocean. This work will also help resolve current management and
conservation problems of the species such as finding principal migratory pathways
among the different foraging habitats, factors affecting the recruitment of young turtles to
neritic areas (bycatch, changes in the oceanic currents) and rates of sea turtle mortality
in the oceanic phase; which will help develop effective protection programs of young
turtles. Furthermore, this same information can help resolve similar connectivity
problems in other marine species such as commercially important fish species and
marine mammals that also have unknown habitats during their life cycle.
The approach proposed in this project will be the first attempt to use a
combination of different types of chemical markers and their inter-relationships to answer
questions of the distribution of organisms and their migratory movements. Stable
isotopes and trace elements have been used separately to resolve habitat use,
ontogenetic shifts, and migratory pathways while heavy metals have been used primarily
to measure levels of pollution caused by anthropogenic causes.
Broader impacts
Sea turtle conservation is a worldwide concern and it depends on the
collaboration of many countries. For my research, obtaining samples from neritic
foraging areas along the Atlantic coast is necessary. Therefore I will establish
collaborations with other institutions and organizations by involving local students and/or
residents in my research and encourage them to develop their own research projects. I
will train new participants in the collection of sea turtle carapace and skin samples as
well as other sea turtle data that might be useful.
The stable isotope analysis, the trace elements and heavy metal analyses will be
conducted in collaboration with the Geological Sciences department at the University of
Florida.
6
Literature cited
Abouchami W. et al. (2005) Lead isotopes reveal bilateral asymmetry and vertical
continuity in the Hawaiian mantle plume. Nature 434, 851 - 856
Balazs, G.H (1993) Satellite used to study the oceanic migrations of Hawaii’s green sea
turtles. Mar. Turtle Newsl. 61, 7 - 9
Beaugrand, G. et al. (2002) Diversity of calanoid copepods in the North Atlantic and
adjacent seas: species associations and biogeography. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.
232, 179-195
Bentivegna, F. (2002) Intra-Mediterranean migrations of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta
caretta) monitored by satellite telemetry. Mar. Biol. 141, 795 – 800
Bjorndal, K.A. et al. (2000) Somatic growth model of juvenile loggerhead se turtles
Caretta caretta: duration of pelagic stage. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 202, 256 - 272
Bolker, B.M. et al. (2007) Incorporating multiple mixed stocks in mixed stock analysis:
‘many to many’ analysis. Mol. Ecol. 16, 685 – 695
Bolten, A.B. (2003a) Active swimmers – passive drifters: the oceanic juvenile stage of
loggerheads in the Atlantic system. In Loggerhead sea turtles (Bolten, A.B. and
Witherington B.E., eds) pp. 63 – 78, Smithsonian Institution Press.
Bolten, A.B. (2003b) Variation in sea turtle life patterns: neritic vs. oceanic
developmental stages. In The Biology of sea turtles. Vol II (Lutz P.L., Musick J.A.
and Wyneken J., eds.) pp. 243 – 257, CRC press.
Bowen, B.W. and Karl, S.A. (1997) Population genetics, phylogeography, and molecular
evolution. In The Biology of Sea Turtles (Lutz, P.L. and Musick, J., eds), pp. 29 –
50, CRC Press
Burton, R.K. and P.L. Koch (1999) Isotopic tracking of foraging an long-distance
migration in northeastern Pacific pinnipeds. Oecologia. 119, 578-585
Chaloupka et al. (2004) Status of sea turtles in the Pacific. In Papers presented at the
expert consultation of interactions between sea turtles and fisheries within an
ecosystem context (FAO Fisheries report No. 738) pp 135- 206, FAO
DiBacco, C. et al. (2006) Connectivity in marine ecosystems: the importance of larval
and spore dispersal. In Conservation Biology 14. Connectivity Conservation
(Crooks, K.R. and Sanjayan, M., eds), pp 184 – 212, Cambridge University Press
Dutton, P.H. et al. (1999) Global phylogeography of the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys
coriacea). J. Zool. (Lond.) 248, 397 – 409
Encalada, S.E. et al. (1998) Population structure of loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
nesting colonies in the Atlantic and Mediterranean as inferred from mitochondrial
DNA control region sequences. Mar. Biol. 130, 567-575
Lahanas, P.N. et al. (1998) Genetic composition of a green turtle (Chelonia mydas)
feeding ground population: evidence for multiple origins. Mar. Biol. 130,345-352
Luke, K. et al. (2004) Origins of green turtle (Chelonia mydas) feeding aggregations
around Barbados, West Indies. Mar. Biol. 144, 799 – 805
Luschi, P. et al. (2003) A review of long-distance movements by marine turtles, and the
possible role of ocean currents. Oikos 103, 293 - 302
Marra, P.P. et al. (2006) Migratory connectivity. In Conservation Biology 14. Connectivity
Conservation (Crooks, K.R. and Sanjayan, M., eds), pp 157 – 183, Cambridge
University Press
Musick, J.A. and Limpus, C.J. (1997) Habitat utilization and migration in juvenile sea
turtles. In The Biology of Sea Turtles (Lutz, P.L. and Musick, J.A., eds), pp 137 –
163, CRC press
Newman, S.J. et al. (2000) Stock structure of the goldband snapper Pristipomoides
multidens (Pisces: Lutjanidae) from the waters of northern and western Australia
7
by stable isotope ratio analysis of sagittal otolith carbonate. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.
198, 239 – 247
Nichols, W. J. et al. (2000) Transpacific migration of a loggerhead turtle monitored by
satellite telemetry. Bull. Mar. Sci. 67, 937 – 947
Polovina, J.J. et al. (2000) Turtles on the edge: movement of loggerhead turtles (Caretta
caretta) along oceanic fronts, spanning longline fishing grounds in the central
North Pacific, 1997 – 1998. Fish. Oceanogr. 9, 71 – 82
Reich K.J., et al. (2007) The ‘lost years’ of green turtles: using stable isotopes to study
cryptic lifestages. Biol. Lett. 3 (6), 712 - 714
Szép, T. et al. (2003) Use of trace elements in feathers of Sand Martin Riparia riparia for
identifying moulting areas. J. Avian Biol. 34, 307 - 320
Webster, M.S. et al. (2002) Links between worlds: unraveling migratory connectivity.
Trends Ecol. Evol. 117, 76 – 83
8
Biographical Sketch
Professional Preparation
Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur. Marine Biology. B.S., 2002
Centro de Investigación Científica y Educación Superior de Ensenada. Marine Ecology.
M.Sc., 2004
University of Florida Zoology. Ph.D., in progress
Appointments
2007-present: Ph.D. student, Department of Zoology. University of Florida (Alumni
Fellow)
2005- present: Scientific Coordinator of Grupo Tortuguero.
Fall 2007: Research Assistant. University of Florida
Synergistic Activities
1. Scientific coordinator of Grupo Tortuguero. As the scientist of this Mexican NGO
based on the Baja California Peninsula, my duty was to train all community teams, most
of them composed of local fishermen, in taking and recording sea turtle data. This
consisted in teaching the teams: general sea turtle biology, species identification,
tagging and measuring techniques.
I was also invited to give talks on sea turtle conservation and the Grupo Tortuguero’s
work to local schools, from elementary to high school level.
2. El Verano de la Ciencia 2005 (The summer of science 2005). This program organized
by the Center of Biological Research of the Northwest (CIBNOR) is focused on inviting
the local community to hear about the research taking place at this center and why it is
important to the community. During this event I gave a talk on sea turtle biology and
conservation and planned an activity with the children so they could understand the life
cycle of sea turtles.
Doctoral Advisor:
Dr. Karen A. Bjorndal. Department of Zoology, University of Florida
9
FOR NSF USE ONLY
54
SUMMARY PROPOSAL BUDGET (YEAR 1)
ORGANIZATION
University of Florida
PROPOSAL NO.
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Proposed
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR/PROJECT DIRECTOR
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AWARD NO.
Melania C. López-Castro
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NSF-Funded
List each separately with name and title. (A.7. Show number in brackets)
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1. Melania Cecilia López-Castro
0
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C. FRINGE BENEFITS (IF CHARGED AS DIRECT COSTS)
TOTAL SALARIES, WAGES AND FRINGE BENEFITS (A + B + C)
D. EQUIPMENT (LIST ITEM AND DOLLAR AMOUNT FOR EACH ITEM EXCEEDING $5,000.)
Person-months
ACAD SUMR
0
0
TOTAL EQUIPMENT
E. TRAVEL
1. DOMESTIC (INCL. CANADA, MEXICO AND U.S. POSSESSIONS)
2. FOREIGN
F. PARTICIPANT SUPPORT
1. STIPENDS
$
2. TRAVEL
3. SUBSISTENCE
4. OTHER
TOTAL NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (
)
G. OTHER DIRECT COSTS
1. MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES
2. PUBLICATION/DOCUMENTATION/DISSEMINATION
3. CONSULTANT SERVICES
4. COMPUTER SERVICES
5. SUBAWARDS
Funds
Granted by NSF
Proposer
$0
(If Different)
$0
$3,680
TOTAL PARTICIPANT COSTS
$6,500
6. OTHER
TOTAL OTHER DIRECT COSTS
H. TOTAL DIRECT COSTS (A THROUGH G)
I. INDIRECT COSTS (F&A) (SPECIFY RATE AND BASE)
$10,180
TOTAL INDIRECT COSTS (F&A)
J. TOTAL DIRECT AND INDIRECT COSTS (H + I)
K. RESIDUAL FUNDS (IF FOR FURTHER SUPPORT OF CURRENT PROJECT SEE GPG II.D.7.j.)
L. AMOUNT OF THIS REQUEST (J) OR (J MINUS K)
M. COST SHARING: PROPOSED LEVEL $
PI/PD TYPED NAME AND SIGNATURE*
Funds
Requested By
$10,180
$10,180
$
Melania C. López-Castro
AGREED LEVEL IF DIFFERENT: $
DATE
FOR NSF USE ONLY
INDIRECT COST RATE VERIFICATION
15 Feb 2008
ORG. REP. TYPED NAME & SIGNATURE*
DATE
NSF Form 1030 (10/99) Supersedes All Previous Editions
*SIGNATURES REQUIRED ONLY FOR REVISED BUDGET (GPG III.C)
Date Checked
Date of Rate Sheet
Initials-ORG
Budget justification
Travel = $3,680
Collection of samples will be conducted at two of the four sites proposed in the project. On the first
year the foraging grounds where field work will be conducted will be Bermuda and Bahamas. The costs
include:
-
Round trip ticket to Bermuda $650
-
Room and board for 1 month $1,150
-
Round ticket to Bahamas $680
-
Room and board for 1 month $1,200
Materials and supplies = $6,500
Collecting supplies including cryogenic vials, biopsy punches, tweezers, ethanol, alcohol swabs and
shipping costs total $1,500 for the two collecting sites on the first year. The majority of the costs will be
accrued through stable isotope and heavy metal analyses. The cost of analyzing each sample for isotope
analysis is $10 and the cost for the heavy metal analysis is $15 at the Department of Geology at the
University of Florida. These samples include:
-
100 carapace samples from site 1 (Bermuda) for isotope analysis: $1,000
-
100 carapace samples from site 2 (Bahamas) for isotope analysis: $1,000
-
100 carapace samples from site 1 for heavy metal analysis: $1,500
-
100 carapace samples from site 2 for heavy metal analysis: $1,500
FOR NSF USE ONLY
54
SUMMARY PROPOSAL BUDGET (YEAR 2)
ORGANIZATION
University of Florida
PROPOSAL NO.
DURATION (MONTHS)
Proposed
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR/PROJECT DIRECTOR
Granted
AWARD NO.
Melania C. López-Castro
A. SENIOR PERSONNEL: PI/PD, Co-PIs, Faculty and Other Senior Associates
NSF-Funded
List each separately with name and title. (A.7. Show number in brackets)
CAL
1. Melania Cecilia López-Castro
0
2.
3.
4.
5.
6. (
) OTHERS (LIST INDIVIDUALLY ON BUDGET EXPLANATION PAGE)
7. (
) TOTAL SENIOR PERSONNEL (1-6)
B. OTHER PERSONNEL (SHOW NUMBERS IN BRACKETS)
1. (
) POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATES
2. (
) OTHER PROFESSIONALS (TECHNICIAN, PROGRAMMER, ETC.)
3. (
) GRADUATE STUDENTS
4. (
) UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
5. (
) SECRETARIAL - CLERICAL (IF CHARGED DIRECTLY)
6. (
) OTHER
TOTAL SALARIES AND WAGES (A + B)
C. FRINGE BENEFITS (IF CHARGED AS DIRECT COSTS)
TOTAL SALARIES, WAGES AND FRINGE BENEFITS (A + B + C)
D. EQUIPMENT (LIST ITEM AND DOLLAR AMOUNT FOR EACH ITEM EXCEEDING $5,000.)
Person-months
ACAD SUMR
0
0
TOTAL EQUIPMENT
E. TRAVEL
1. DOMESTIC (INCL. CANADA, MEXICO AND U.S. POSSESSIONS)
2. FOREIGN
F. PARTICIPANT SUPPORT
1. STIPENDS
$
2. TRAVEL
3. SUBSISTENCE
4. OTHER
TOTAL NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (
)
G. OTHER DIRECT COSTS
1. MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES
2. PUBLICATION/DOCUMENTATION/DISSEMINATION
3. CONSULTANT SERVICES
4. COMPUTER SERVICES
5. SUBAWARDS
Funds
Granted by NSF
Proposer
$0
(If Different)
$0
$3,840
TOTAL PARTICIPANT COSTS
$6,500
6. OTHER
TOTAL OTHER DIRECT COSTS
H. TOTAL DIRECT COSTS (A THROUGH G)
I. INDIRECT COSTS (F&A) (SPECIFY RATE AND BASE)
$10,340
TOTAL INDIRECT COSTS (F&A)
J. TOTAL DIRECT AND INDIRECT COSTS (H + I)
K. RESIDUAL FUNDS (IF FOR FURTHER SUPPORT OF CURRENT PROJECT SEE GPG II.D.7.j.)
L. AMOUNT OF THIS REQUEST (J) OR (J MINUS K)
M. COST SHARING: PROPOSED LEVEL $
PI/PD TYPED NAME AND SIGNATURE*
Funds
Requested By
$10,340
$10,340
$
Melania C. López-Castro
AGREED LEVEL IF DIFFERENT: $
DATE
FOR NSF USE ONLY
INDIRECT COST RATE VERIFICATION
15 Feb 2008
ORG. REP. TYPED NAME & SIGNATURE*
DATE
NSF Form 1030 (10/99) Supersedes All Previous Editions
*SIGNATURES REQUIRED ONLY FOR REVISED BUDGET (GPG III.C)
Date Checked
Date of Rate Sheet
Initials-ORG
Budget justification
Travel = $3,840
Collection of samples will be conducted at two of the four sites proposed in the project. On the
second year the foraging grounds where field work will be conducted will be Barbados and Brazil. The costs
include:
-
Round trip ticket to Barbados $660
-
Room and board for 1 month $1,200
-
Round trip ticket to Brazil $780
-
Room and board for 1 month $1,200
Materials and supplies = $6,500
Collecting supplies including cryogenic vials, biopsy punches, tweezers, ethanol, alcohol swabs and
shipping costs total $1,500 for the two collecting sites on the first year. The majority of the costs will be
accrued through stable isotope and heavy metal analyses. The cost of analyzing each sample for isotope
analysis is $10 and the cost for the heavy metal analysis is $15 at the Department of Geology at the
University of Florida. These samples include:
-
100 carapace samples from site 3 (Barbados) for isotope analysis: $1,000
-
100 carapace samples from site 4 (Brazil) for isotope analysis: $1,000
-
100 carapace samples from site 3 for heavy metal analysis: $1,500
-
100 carapace samples from site 4 for heavy metal analysis: $1,500
FOR NSF USE ONLY
54
SUMMARY PROPOSAL BUDGET (CUMULATIVE)
ORGANIZATION
University of Florida
PROPOSAL NO.
DURATION (MONTHS)
Proposed
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR/PROJECT DIRECTOR
Granted
AWARD NO.
Melania C. López-Castro
A. SENIOR PERSONNEL: PI/PD, Co-PIs, Faculty and Other Senior Associates
NSF-Funded
List each separately with name and title. (A.7. Show number in brackets)
CAL
1. Melania Cecilia López-Castro
0
2.
3.
4.
5.
6. (
) OTHERS (LIST INDIVIDUALLY ON BUDGET EXPLANATION PAGE)
7. (
) TOTAL SENIOR PERSONNEL (1-6)
B. OTHER PERSONNEL (SHOW NUMBERS IN BRACKETS)
1. (
) POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATES
2. (
) OTHER PROFESSIONALS (TECHNICIAN, PROGRAMMER, ETC.)
3. (
) GRADUATE STUDENTS
4. (
) UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
5. (
) SECRETARIAL - CLERICAL (IF CHARGED DIRECTLY)
6. (
) OTHER
TOTAL SALARIES AND WAGES (A + B)
C. FRINGE BENEFITS (IF CHARGED AS DIRECT COSTS)
TOTAL SALARIES, WAGES AND FRINGE BENEFITS (A + B + C)
D. EQUIPMENT (LIST ITEM AND DOLLAR AMOUNT FOR EACH ITEM EXCEEDING $5,000.)
Person-months
ACAD SUMR
0
0
TOTAL EQUIPMENT
E. TRAVEL
1. DOMESTIC (INCL. CANADA, MEXICO AND U.S. POSSESSIONS)
2. FOREIGN
F. PARTICIPANT SUPPORT
1. STIPENDS
$
2. TRAVEL
3. SUBSISTENCE
4. OTHER
TOTAL NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (
)
G. OTHER DIRECT COSTS
1. MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES
2. PUBLICATION/DOCUMENTATION/DISSEMINATION
3. CONSULTANT SERVICES
4. COMPUTER SERVICES
5. SUBAWARDS
Funds
Granted by NSF
Proposer
$0
(If Different)
$0
$7,520
TOTAL PARTICIPANT COSTS
$13,000
6. OTHER
TOTAL OTHER DIRECT COSTS
H. TOTAL DIRECT COSTS (A THROUGH G)
I. INDIRECT COSTS (F&A) (SPECIFY RATE AND BASE)
$20,520
TOTAL INDIRECT COSTS (F&A)
J. TOTAL DIRECT AND INDIRECT COSTS (H + I)
K. RESIDUAL FUNDS (IF FOR FURTHER SUPPORT OF CURRENT PROJECT SEE GPG II.D.7.j.)
L. AMOUNT OF THIS REQUEST (J) OR (J MINUS K)
M. COST SHARING: PROPOSED LEVEL $
PI/PD TYPED NAME AND SIGNATURE*
Funds
Requested By
$20,520
$20,520
$
Melania C. López-Castro
AGREED LEVEL IF DIFFERENT: $
DATE
FOR NSF USE ONLY
INDIRECT COST RATE VERIFICATION
15 Feb 2008
ORG. REP. TYPED NAME & SIGNATURE*
DATE
NSF Form 1030 (10/99) Supersedes All Previous Editions
*SIGNATURES REQUIRED ONLY FOR REVISED BUDGET (GPG III.C)
Date Checked
Date of Rate Sheet
Initials-ORG
Current and Pending Support
(See GPG Section II.D.8 for guidance on information to include on this form.)
The following information should be provided for each investigator and other senior personnel. Failure to provide this
information may delay consideration of this proposal.
Other agencies (including NSF) to which this proposal has been/will be submitted.
Investigator: Melania Cecilia López-Castro
Support:
Current
Pending
Submission Planned in Near Future
*Transfer of Support
Project/Proposal Title: Use of biochemical markers to understand sea turtle population connectivity between oceanic and neritic
foraging areas
Source of Support: NSF Graduate Fellowship Research Program
Total Award Amount: $20,520
Total Award Period Covered: 3 years (August 2008- August 2011)
Location of Project: University of Florida
Person-Months Per Year Committed to the Project.
Support:
Current
Pending
Cal:
Acad:
Submission Planned in Near Future
Sumr:
*Transfer of Support
Project/Proposal Title:
Source of Support:
Total Award Amount: $
Total Award Period Covered:
Location of Project:
Person-Months Per Year Committed to the Project.
Support:
Current
Pending
Cal:
Acad:
Submission Planned in Near Future
Sumr:
*Transfer of Support
Project/Proposal Title:
Source of Support:
Total Award Amount: $
Total Award Period Covered:
Location of Project:
Person-Months Per Year Committed to the Project.
Support:
Current
Pending
Cal:
Acad:
Submission Planned in Near Future
Sumr:
*Transfer of Support
Project/Proposal Title:
Source of Support:
Total Award Amount: $
Total Award Period Covered:
Location of Project:
Person-Months Per Year Committed to the Project.
Support:
Current
Pending
Cal:
Acad:
Submission Planned in Near Future
Sumr:
*Transfer of Support
Project/Proposal Title:
Source of Support:
Total Award Amount: $
Total Award Period Covered:
Location of Project:
Person-Months Per Year Committed to the Project.
Cal:
Acad:
Sumr:
*If this project has previously been funded by another agency, please list and furnish information for immediately
preceding funding period.
NSF Form 1239 (10/99)
55
USE ADDITIONAL SHEETS AS NECESSARY
FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT & OTHER RESOURCES
FACILITIES: Identify the facilities to be used at each performance site listed and, as appropriate, indicate their capacities, pertinent
capabilities, relative proximity, and extent of availability to the project. Use “Other” to describe the facilities at any other
performance sites listed and at sites for field studies. Use additional pages if necessary.
Laboratory:
The following laboratories are in the Departments of Zoology and Geology at the University of Florida
Karen Bjorndal – lipid extraction, sample preparation
Dave Hodell – light stable isotopes and heavy metals analysis
Clinical:
Animal:
Computer:
Office: Personal office space in the Department of Zoology, University of Florida
Other:
MAJOR EQUIPMENT: List the most important items available for this project and, as appropriate, identify the location and
pertinent capabilities of each.
Dionex Accelerated Solvent Extractor (ASE®), COSTECH ECS 2010 elemental analyzer, Finnigan-MAT ConFlow
III Device, Finnigan-MAT DeltaPlus XL isotope ratio mass spectrometer – Light Stable Isotope Lab, Department of
Geology, University of Florida, Finnigan-MAT DeltaPlus XL Heavy metal mass spectrometer, Department of Geology,
University of Florida
OTHER RESOURCES: Provide any information describing the other resources available for the project. Identify support services
such as consultant, secretarial, machine shop, and electronics shop, and the extent to which they will be available for the project.
Include an explanation of any consortium/contractual/subaward arrangements with other organizations.
Machine Shop – Department of Zoology, University of Florida
NSF Form 1363 (10/99)
56