Open AccessNest relocation of Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) decrease the rate of non-developed eggs
Author(s) -
Patcharaporn Kaewmong,
Veerasak Punyapornwithaya,
Chutima Wongfu,
Wareerat Prasitwiset,
Pathompong Jongjit,
Araya Boonkasemsanti,
Kongkiat Kittiwattanawong,
Pakkanut Bansiddhi
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
veterinary integrative sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2629-9968
DOI - 10.12982/vis.2022.022
Subject(s) - hatchling , nest (protein structural motif) , hatching , biology , relocation , predation , ecology , zoology , incubation , biological dispersal , fishery , population , demography , biochemistry , sociology , computer science , programming language
Female leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) often oviposit in locations with high risk of predation, human activity, flooding, or erosion; thus, influencing hatching rates. It has been hypothesized that the relocation of these nests would significantly increase hatching success. In this study, we measured various nest traits to determine whether nest relocation has any influence on hatching success. Ten parameters of relocated nests (n=8) and nonrelocated nests (n=8) were compared. These parameters included incubation period (days), number of hatched eggs, number of survival hatchlings, number of healthy hatchlings, number of hatchlings in critical care unit (CCU) box, number of stillborn hatchlings, number of non-hatched eggs, number of non-developed eggs, number of embryonic dead hatchlings, and number of eggs without yolks. Poisson distribution, a generalized linear model employing the log link function, was used to compare differences in the rate values of the parameters between relocated and nonrelocated groups. It was found that the rate of non-developed eggs in the relocated nests was significantly lower than in the nonrelocated nests (P < 0.001). In conclusion, nest relocation was not detrimental to hatching success and decrease rate of non-developed eggs. Based on these findings, nest relocation may be an effective conservation method for leatherback turtles.