Effects of nest depth and distance among transferred clutches of Dermochelys coriacea (Linnaeus, 1766), on incubation temperature and survival of hatchlings at La Playona, Chocó (Colombia)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17533/udea.acbi.329422Keywords:
Dermochelys coriacea, distance among nests, hatcheries, nest depth, nest transfer, Chocó, ColombiaAbstract
La Playona is considered the most important nesting beach for leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) in the department of the Chocó (Colombia), with more than 300 nestings per season in only those 3 km of this 12 km beach that are actively monitored. The principal threat to this nesting colony is egg predation both by domestic animals and local people, reaching up to 100% nest loss. Therefore, we consider nest transfer an important alternative for protecting clutches. Being cognizant of the impacts that clutch manipulation may have, we evaluated nest depth and the distance between artificial nest chambers as possible variables that might influence juvenile survival (evaluated as emergence and hatching success) and incubation temperature. The different nest depth and distance treatments did not significantly affect the evaluated variables, but the effects of climatic conditions and the location of the hatchery facility on them were conspicous. Based on this study we propose alternative measures for distributing nests in hatchery facilities that would optimize space use in them and minimize effects on nest survival and incubation temperatures.
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