Habitat selection and 3D space use partitioning of resident juvenile hawksbill sea turtles in a small Caribbean bay

Abstract Understanding how aquatic animals select and partition resources provides relevant information about community dynamics that can be used to help manage conservation efforts. The critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle ( Eretmochelys imbricata ) spends an extended part of its juvenile development in coastal waters. A strong proclivity remain resident small areas, often high density, raises questions juveniles including selection habitat spatial overlap among conspecifics. Using between 36 41 acoustic receivers the 1.5 km 2 study site, this quantified day-and-night selection, as well 2D 3D space use 23 hawksbills within two adjacent Caribbean foraging grounds—Brewers Bay Hawksbill Cove, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands—between 2015 2018. We found coral reef, rock, artificial dolosse forming airport runway, were most strongly selected habitats based on resource indices. Individual activity spaces both larger during day compared night, although same parts bay by each individual periods. approach also showed deeper day. Weekly comparisons individuals limited (mean 95% UD overlap; day: 0.15 (2D) 0.07 (3D), night: 0.11 0.03 (3D)), suggesting some degree partitioning or territoriality. Results from provide for management hawksbills, which many populations are facing degradation population declines.