earticle

영어

Despite consistent observations of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) in Korean waters, understanding of their characteristics remains limited. Six leatherback turtle specimens, collected between 1984 and 2024, were identified through morphological and genetic analyses. These specimens exhibited typical D. coriacea traits, including scaleless carapaces and dorsal ridges. Our findings indicate that D. coriacea continues to inhabit Korean waters despite their low occurrence. Mitochondrial DNA analysis confirmed their identity as D. coriacea and revealed haplotypes associated with Costa Rica and Japan populations, underscoring migratory connections with Pacific subpopulations. While it was previously believed that D. coriacea in Korean waters originated solely from the West Pacific stock, our phylogenetic results suggest broader use of Korean waters by individuals from the West and East Pacific stock. To effectively manage D. coriacea populations, further research on connectivity among regional populations is crucial, particularly given their wide distribution across the Pacific Oceans.