Incubation temperatures, sex ratio and hatching success of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) in two protected hatcheries on the central Mexican coast of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean

Incubation temperatures, sex ratio and hatching success of leatherback turtles have received little attention in conservation programs in Mexico. This study was carried out from October 2014 to May 2017 in two enclosed hatchery sites. To determine temperature parameters in the nest chamber environme...

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Main Authors: García–Grajales, J., Meraz Hernando, J. F., Arcos García, J. L., Ramírez Fuentes, E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona 2019-06-01
Series:Animal Biodiversity and Conservation
Subjects:
Online Access:http://abc.museucienciesjournals.cat/volume-42-1-2019-abc/incubation-temperatures-sex-ratio-and-hatching-success-of-leatherback-turtles-dermochelys-coriacea-in-two-protected-hatcheries-on-the-central-mexican-coast-of-the-eastern-tropical-pacific-ocean/?lang=en
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author García–Grajales, J.
Meraz Hernando, J. F.
Arcos García, J. L.
Ramírez Fuentes, E.
author_facet García–Grajales, J.
Meraz Hernando, J. F.
Arcos García, J. L.
Ramírez Fuentes, E.
author_sort García–Grajales, J.
collection DOAJ
description Incubation temperatures, sex ratio and hatching success of leatherback turtles have received little attention in conservation programs in Mexico. This study was carried out from October 2014 to May 2017 in two enclosed hatchery sites. To determine temperature parameters in the nest chamber environment and their variation during the incubation period, we placed data loggers in the centre of the egg mass in relocated nests. We then buried other data loggers in the sand near the relocated nests, inside and outside the hatchery. A total of 46 nests were examined over three nesting seasons. Mean nest temperature showed no statistical difference between nests in either the San Juan Chacahua hatchery or in the Palmarito hatchery nests. The mean sex ratio based on average temperature during the middle third of incubation duration was 96.3 % skewed to female production. Hatching success in both San Juan Chacahua and Palmarito was high. Our findings support the common pattern of a female–dominated leatherback turtle sex ratio. Furthermore, hatching success rates in the shade–cloth hatchery were higher than those in the natural nests observed in other population.
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spelling doaj.art-8502ebcd13c64f40b7aeee2981b410442022-12-21T21:04:50ZengMuseu de Ciències Naturals de BarcelonaAnimal Biodiversity and Conservation1578-665X2019-06-0142114315210.32800/abc.2019.42.0143Incubation temperatures, sex ratio and hatching success of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) in two protected hatcheries on the central Mexican coast of the Eastern Tropical Pacific OceanGarcía–Grajales, J.Meraz Hernando, J. F. Arcos García, J. L. Ramírez Fuentes, E. Incubation temperatures, sex ratio and hatching success of leatherback turtles have received little attention in conservation programs in Mexico. This study was carried out from October 2014 to May 2017 in two enclosed hatchery sites. To determine temperature parameters in the nest chamber environment and their variation during the incubation period, we placed data loggers in the centre of the egg mass in relocated nests. We then buried other data loggers in the sand near the relocated nests, inside and outside the hatchery. A total of 46 nests were examined over three nesting seasons. Mean nest temperature showed no statistical difference between nests in either the San Juan Chacahua hatchery or in the Palmarito hatchery nests. The mean sex ratio based on average temperature during the middle third of incubation duration was 96.3 % skewed to female production. Hatching success in both San Juan Chacahua and Palmarito was high. Our findings support the common pattern of a female–dominated leatherback turtle sex ratio. Furthermore, hatching success rates in the shade–cloth hatchery were higher than those in the natural nests observed in other population.http://abc.museucienciesjournals.cat/volume-42-1-2019-abc/incubation-temperatures-sex-ratio-and-hatching-success-of-leatherback-turtles-dermochelys-coriacea-in-two-protected-hatcheries-on-the-central-mexican-coast-of-the-eastern-tropical-pacific-ocean/?lang=enhatcheriessecondary beachesclutch sizenests temperaturesshading net
spellingShingle García–Grajales, J.
Meraz Hernando, J. F.
Arcos García, J. L.
Ramírez Fuentes, E.
Incubation temperatures, sex ratio and hatching success of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) in two protected hatcheries on the central Mexican coast of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean
Animal Biodiversity and Conservation
hatcheries
secondary beaches
clutch size
nests temperatures
shading net
title Incubation temperatures, sex ratio and hatching success of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) in two protected hatcheries on the central Mexican coast of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean
title_full Incubation temperatures, sex ratio and hatching success of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) in two protected hatcheries on the central Mexican coast of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean
title_fullStr Incubation temperatures, sex ratio and hatching success of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) in two protected hatcheries on the central Mexican coast of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean
title_full_unstemmed Incubation temperatures, sex ratio and hatching success of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) in two protected hatcheries on the central Mexican coast of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean
title_short Incubation temperatures, sex ratio and hatching success of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) in two protected hatcheries on the central Mexican coast of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean
title_sort incubation temperatures sex ratio and hatching success of leatherback turtles dermochelys coriacea in two protected hatcheries on the central mexican coast of the eastern tropical pacific ocean
topic hatcheries
secondary beaches
clutch size
nests temperatures
shading net
url http://abc.museucienciesjournals.cat/volume-42-1-2019-abc/incubation-temperatures-sex-ratio-and-hatching-success-of-leatherback-turtles-dermochelys-coriacea-in-two-protected-hatcheries-on-the-central-mexican-coast-of-the-eastern-tropical-pacific-ocean/?lang=en
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