The effect of nest relocation on embryonic mortality and sex ratio of Loggerhead Turtles, Caretta caretta (Reptilia: Cheloniidae), at Dalyan Beach, Turkey

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Ilgaz Ç., Ozdemir A., Kumlutas Y., Durmus S. H.

ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY, vol.78, no.3, pp.354-363, 2011 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 78 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2011
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/11250003.2010.509742
  • Journal Name: ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.354-363
  • Keywords: Nest relocation, embryonic mortality, nest site factor, Caretta caretta, Dalyan, HATCHING SUCCESS, SITE SELECTION, GAS-EXCHANGE, GREEN TURTLE, HATCHLINGS, LEATHERBACK, TEMPERATURE, FETHIYE, MYDAS, CONSERVATION
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Marine turtles are globally endangered and one important conservation technique is nest relocation. This study assesses the relationship between nest site factors (wet nest depth, dry nest depth, total nest depth, nest diameter, distance to sea, moisture, clutch size and incubation duration) and embryonic mortality of natural and relocated nests at Dalyan beach, Turkey. Principal component analyses (PCA) revealed a three-factor structure for the natural nests and a four-factor structure for the relocated nests. The clutches in natural and relocated nests had a total of mortality ratio of 21% and 12%, incubation duration of 52 and 50 days, and estimated female ratio of 80% and 88%, respectively. Thus, mortality was lower and incubation faster in the relocated nests, but the proportion of females was higher. Hatching success in relocated nests (84.4%) was significantly higher than in natural nests (72.7%).