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An Assessment of Egg Size in The Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) on Samandağ Beach, Turkey

Year 2016, Volume: 1 Issue: 3, 33 - 41, 19.09.2016
https://doi.org/10.28978/nesciences.286310

Abstract

Many environmental factors such as temperature and moisture are known to influence the
eggs of sea turtles. Egg diameter, egg circumference and egg weight were compared in the
three stages on Samandağ beach, Turkey. Also, distance from sea, total nest depth, total eggs
(clutch size), number of unhatched eggs were measured. In total, 284 eggs from 44 nests were
measured. There were significant differences among the stages in term of egg diameter and
egg weight. However; there are no significant differences among the stages in term of egg
circumference. The egg diameter and egg weight were positively correlated with distance
from the sea. Total nest depth was positively correlated with egg circumference and egg
weight. The nests further from the sea and deeper from the surface have large egg size. If
larger females produce large eggs, large females are attempting to nesting further from the sea
and deeper from the surface. The morphometric characters of female turtles not measure in
this study. Similar research can be done including female measurements in the future. These
results would be useful for conservation workers or nest site managers

References

  • Ackerman, R. A. (1996). The nest environment and the embryonic development of sea turtles. P. L. Lutz & J. A. Musick (eds). The Biology of Sea Turtles. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp. 83-106.
  • Bjorndal, K. A. & Carr, A. (1989). Variation in clutch size and egg size in the green turtle nesting population at Tortuguero, Costa Rica. Herpetologica, 45 (2), 181-189.
  • Booth, D. T., Burgess, E., McCosker, J., Lanyon, J. M. (2004): The influence of incubation temperafure on post-hatching fitness characteristics ofturtles. Inter. Congr. Ser., l275, 226-233.
  • Cheng, I. J., Cheng, T. H., Hung, P. Y., Ke, B. Z., Kuo, C. W., Fong, C. L. (2009). Ten years of monitoring the nesting ecology of the green turtle, Chelonia mydas, on Lanyu (Orchid Island), Taiwan. Zool. Stud., 48 (1), 83-94.
  • Garcia, A., Ceballos, G., Adaya, R. (2003). Intensive beach management as an improved sea turtle conservation strategy in Mexico. Biol. Conserv., 111, 253–261.
  • Glen, F., Broderick, A. C., Godley, B. J., Hays, G. C. (2003). Incubation environment affects phenotype of naturally incubated green turtle hatchlings. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. UK, 83, 1183-1186.
  • Gutzke, W. H. N. & Packard, G. C. (1985). Hatching success in relation to egg size in painted turtles (Chrysemys picta). Can. J. Zool., 63 (1), 67-70.
  • Hays, G. C. (2001). The implication of adult morphology for clutch size in the flatback turtle (Natator depressa). J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. UK, 81, 1063-1064.
  • Hilton-Taylor, C. (2000). 2000 IUCN Red list of threatened species. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland. 61 pp.
  • Hirth, H.F. (1980). Some aspects of the nesting behavior and reproductive biology of sea turtles. Amer. Zool., 20, 507-523.
  • Janzen, F. Tucker, J. J. K & Paukstis, G. L. (2000). Experimental analysis of an early life- history stage: selection on size ofhatchling furtles. Ecology, 8l, 2290-2304.
  • Kaska, K. & Downie, J. R. (1999). Embryological development of sea turtles (Chelonia mydas, Caretta caretta) in the Mediterranean. Zool.Mid. East, 19, 55 – 69.
  • Kasparek, M., Godley, B. J., Broderick, A. C. (2001). Nesting of green turtle, Chelonia mydas, in the Mediterranean: a review of status and conservation needs. Zool. Mid. East, 24, 45–74.
  • Kılıç, Ç. & Candan, O. (2014). Hatchling sex ratio, body weight and nest parameters for Chelonia mydas nesting on Sugözü beaches (Turkey). Anim. Biodiv. Conserv., 37 (2), 177-182.
  • Limpus, C. J & Miller, J. D. (1993). Family Cheloniidae. C. J. Galsby, G. J. B. Ross, P. L. Beesley (eds). Fauna of Australia. Vol. 2A Amphibia and Reptilia. Australian Government Publishing Service. Canberra, 133-138.
  • Miller, J. D. (1985). Embryology of marine turtles. C. Gans, F. Billett, P. F. A. Maderson (eds). Biology of Reptilia, no. 14. pp. 269–328. NewYork: Willey.
  • Önder, B. & Candan, O. (2016). The feminizing effect of metabolic heating in Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) clutches in the eastern Mediterranean. Zool. Mid. East, 62 (3), 239-246.
  • Özdemir, A., Ilgaz, Ç., Kumlutaş, Y., Durmuş, S.H., Kaska, Y., Türkozan, O. (2007). An assessment of initial body size in loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) hatchlings in Turkey. Zool. Sci., 24, 376 – 380.
  • Packard, G. C., & Packard, M. J. (1988). The physiological ecology of reptilian eggs and embryos. C. Gas & R. B. Huey (eds). Biology of the Reptilia, Volume 16. Alan R. Liss, New York, USA pp. 524-605.
  • Roosenburg, M.W. (1996). Maternal condition and nest site choice: An alternative for the maintenance of environmental sex determination? Amer. Zool., 36, 157-168.
  • Sönmez B., Turan, C., Yalçın Özdilek, Ş.( 2011). The effect of relocation on the morphology of green turtle, Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus, 1758) hatchling on Samandağ beach, Turkey. Zool.Mid. East, 52, 29 – 38.
  • Sönmez, B., Turan, C., Yalçın Özdilek, Ş. (2013). Comparison of the physical properties of two green turtle (Chelonia mydas) nesting beaches (Akyatan and Samandağ) in the eastern Mediterranean (Reptilia: Cheloniidae). Zool.Mid. East, 59 (1), 30-38.
  • Sönmez, B. & Yalçın Özdilek, Ş. (2013). Conservation technique of the green turtle (Chelonia mydas L. 1758) nests under the risk of tidal inundation with hatcheries, on Samandağ beach, Turkey. Russ. J. Herpetol., 20, 19 – 26.
  • Turan, C., Erguden, D., Gürlek, M. (2016). Climate Change and Biodiversity Effects in Turkish Seas. Natural and Engineering Sciences, 1(2), 15-24.
  • Van Burskirk, J. & Crowder, L.B. (1994). Life-history variations in marine turtles. Copeia, (1), 66-81.
  • Wallace, B.P., Sotherland, P.R., Tomillo, P.S., Bouchard, S.S., Reina, R.D., Spotila, J.R., Paladino, F.V. (2006). Egg components, egg size, and hatchling size in leatherback turtles. Com. Bioch. Physiol., Part A, 145, 524-532.
  • Whitmore, C. & Dutton, P.H. (1985). Infertility, embriyonic mortality and nest site selection in leatherback and green sea turtles in Suriname. Biological Conservation, 34, 251–272.
  • Yalçın Özdilek, Ş. & Sönmez, B. (2011). Nesting characteristics at Samandağ and extended beaches, Turkey. Marine Turtle Newsletter, 131, 7-9.
  • Yalçın-Özdilek, Ş. (2007). Status of sea turtles (Chelonia mydas and Caretta caretta) on Samandağ Beach, Turkey: Evaluation of five-year monitoring study. Ann. Zool. Fenn., 44 (5), 333-347.
Year 2016, Volume: 1 Issue: 3, 33 - 41, 19.09.2016
https://doi.org/10.28978/nesciences.286310

Abstract

References

  • Ackerman, R. A. (1996). The nest environment and the embryonic development of sea turtles. P. L. Lutz & J. A. Musick (eds). The Biology of Sea Turtles. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp. 83-106.
  • Bjorndal, K. A. & Carr, A. (1989). Variation in clutch size and egg size in the green turtle nesting population at Tortuguero, Costa Rica. Herpetologica, 45 (2), 181-189.
  • Booth, D. T., Burgess, E., McCosker, J., Lanyon, J. M. (2004): The influence of incubation temperafure on post-hatching fitness characteristics ofturtles. Inter. Congr. Ser., l275, 226-233.
  • Cheng, I. J., Cheng, T. H., Hung, P. Y., Ke, B. Z., Kuo, C. W., Fong, C. L. (2009). Ten years of monitoring the nesting ecology of the green turtle, Chelonia mydas, on Lanyu (Orchid Island), Taiwan. Zool. Stud., 48 (1), 83-94.
  • Garcia, A., Ceballos, G., Adaya, R. (2003). Intensive beach management as an improved sea turtle conservation strategy in Mexico. Biol. Conserv., 111, 253–261.
  • Glen, F., Broderick, A. C., Godley, B. J., Hays, G. C. (2003). Incubation environment affects phenotype of naturally incubated green turtle hatchlings. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. UK, 83, 1183-1186.
  • Gutzke, W. H. N. & Packard, G. C. (1985). Hatching success in relation to egg size in painted turtles (Chrysemys picta). Can. J. Zool., 63 (1), 67-70.
  • Hays, G. C. (2001). The implication of adult morphology for clutch size in the flatback turtle (Natator depressa). J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. UK, 81, 1063-1064.
  • Hilton-Taylor, C. (2000). 2000 IUCN Red list of threatened species. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland. 61 pp.
  • Hirth, H.F. (1980). Some aspects of the nesting behavior and reproductive biology of sea turtles. Amer. Zool., 20, 507-523.
  • Janzen, F. Tucker, J. J. K & Paukstis, G. L. (2000). Experimental analysis of an early life- history stage: selection on size ofhatchling furtles. Ecology, 8l, 2290-2304.
  • Kaska, K. & Downie, J. R. (1999). Embryological development of sea turtles (Chelonia mydas, Caretta caretta) in the Mediterranean. Zool.Mid. East, 19, 55 – 69.
  • Kasparek, M., Godley, B. J., Broderick, A. C. (2001). Nesting of green turtle, Chelonia mydas, in the Mediterranean: a review of status and conservation needs. Zool. Mid. East, 24, 45–74.
  • Kılıç, Ç. & Candan, O. (2014). Hatchling sex ratio, body weight and nest parameters for Chelonia mydas nesting on Sugözü beaches (Turkey). Anim. Biodiv. Conserv., 37 (2), 177-182.
  • Limpus, C. J & Miller, J. D. (1993). Family Cheloniidae. C. J. Galsby, G. J. B. Ross, P. L. Beesley (eds). Fauna of Australia. Vol. 2A Amphibia and Reptilia. Australian Government Publishing Service. Canberra, 133-138.
  • Miller, J. D. (1985). Embryology of marine turtles. C. Gans, F. Billett, P. F. A. Maderson (eds). Biology of Reptilia, no. 14. pp. 269–328. NewYork: Willey.
  • Önder, B. & Candan, O. (2016). The feminizing effect of metabolic heating in Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) clutches in the eastern Mediterranean. Zool. Mid. East, 62 (3), 239-246.
  • Özdemir, A., Ilgaz, Ç., Kumlutaş, Y., Durmuş, S.H., Kaska, Y., Türkozan, O. (2007). An assessment of initial body size in loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) hatchlings in Turkey. Zool. Sci., 24, 376 – 380.
  • Packard, G. C., & Packard, M. J. (1988). The physiological ecology of reptilian eggs and embryos. C. Gas & R. B. Huey (eds). Biology of the Reptilia, Volume 16. Alan R. Liss, New York, USA pp. 524-605.
  • Roosenburg, M.W. (1996). Maternal condition and nest site choice: An alternative for the maintenance of environmental sex determination? Amer. Zool., 36, 157-168.
  • Sönmez B., Turan, C., Yalçın Özdilek, Ş.( 2011). The effect of relocation on the morphology of green turtle, Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus, 1758) hatchling on Samandağ beach, Turkey. Zool.Mid. East, 52, 29 – 38.
  • Sönmez, B., Turan, C., Yalçın Özdilek, Ş. (2013). Comparison of the physical properties of two green turtle (Chelonia mydas) nesting beaches (Akyatan and Samandağ) in the eastern Mediterranean (Reptilia: Cheloniidae). Zool.Mid. East, 59 (1), 30-38.
  • Sönmez, B. & Yalçın Özdilek, Ş. (2013). Conservation technique of the green turtle (Chelonia mydas L. 1758) nests under the risk of tidal inundation with hatcheries, on Samandağ beach, Turkey. Russ. J. Herpetol., 20, 19 – 26.
  • Turan, C., Erguden, D., Gürlek, M. (2016). Climate Change and Biodiversity Effects in Turkish Seas. Natural and Engineering Sciences, 1(2), 15-24.
  • Van Burskirk, J. & Crowder, L.B. (1994). Life-history variations in marine turtles. Copeia, (1), 66-81.
  • Wallace, B.P., Sotherland, P.R., Tomillo, P.S., Bouchard, S.S., Reina, R.D., Spotila, J.R., Paladino, F.V. (2006). Egg components, egg size, and hatchling size in leatherback turtles. Com. Bioch. Physiol., Part A, 145, 524-532.
  • Whitmore, C. & Dutton, P.H. (1985). Infertility, embriyonic mortality and nest site selection in leatherback and green sea turtles in Suriname. Biological Conservation, 34, 251–272.
  • Yalçın Özdilek, Ş. & Sönmez, B. (2011). Nesting characteristics at Samandağ and extended beaches, Turkey. Marine Turtle Newsletter, 131, 7-9.
  • Yalçın-Özdilek, Ş. (2007). Status of sea turtles (Chelonia mydas and Caretta caretta) on Samandağ Beach, Turkey: Evaluation of five-year monitoring study. Ann. Zool. Fenn., 44 (5), 333-347.
There are 29 citations in total.

Details

Journal Section Articles
Authors

Bektaş Sönmez

Publication Date September 19, 2016
Submission Date January 18, 2017
Published in Issue Year 2016 Volume: 1 Issue: 3

Cite

APA Sönmez, B. (2016). An Assessment of Egg Size in The Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) on Samandağ Beach, Turkey. Natural and Engineering Sciences, 1(3), 33-41. https://doi.org/10.28978/nesciences.286310

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