Nest relocation of Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) decrease the rate of non-developed eggs

Abstract

Female leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) often oviposit in locations with high risk of predation, human activity, f looding, or erosion; thus, inf luencing 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 inf luence 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.