noun, Cell Biology. 1. a network of tubular membranes within the cytoplasm of the cell, occurring either with a smooth surface (smooth endoplasmic reticulum) or studded with ribosomes (rough endoplasmic reticulum) involved in the transport of materials.
The most widely distributed of all sea turtles; found in the Gulf of Alaska and south of the Bering Sea in the northeastern Pacific to Chile in the southeastern Pacific. In the Barents Sea, Newfoundland and Labrador in the North Atlantic; around Argentina and South Africa in the South Atlantic.
The Leatherback sea turtle (Demochelys coriacea)is the biggest turtle on earth. It is considered endangered as its population has decreased from 115000 in 1982 to 20000-30000 in 1996, The main threats to this animal are loss of nesting habitat, theft of eggs by humans, illegal hunting and global climatic change.