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Science 23 January 1976:
Vol. 191. no. 4224, pp. 283 - 285
DOI: 10.1126/science.191.4224.283
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Articles

Winter Dormancy in Sea Turtles: Independent Discovery and Exploitation in the Gulf of California by Two Local Cultures

R. S. FELGER 1, K. CLIFFTON 2, and P. J. REGAL 3

1 Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Post Office Box 5607, Tucson, Arizona 85703
2 Route 15, Box 269, Tucson 85715
3 Museum of Natural History, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55455

Documentation is reported for sea turtles overwintering on the sea bottom. Seri Indians have traditionally hunted nonmigrating dormant green turtles (Chelonia mydas) along the bottom of the Infiernillo Channel in the Gulf of California. Mexican fishermen independently discovered dormant turtles during winter 1972-1973, and with new hunting technologies are rapidly decimating these unusual stocks.

Submitted on September 26, 1975
Revised on December 2, 1975


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