Influence of nest depth on incubation and emergence of loggerhead turtles

TL;DRAbstract

The depth at which turtle eggs incubate is influenced by environmental parameters that affect embryonic development. Incubation temperature and humidity can strongly influence incubation time, hatching success, hatchling size or sex ratio. Therefore, the depth at which nests are reburied is a key factor for the success of nest relocation programs. One hundred and eight loggerhead (Caretta caretta) nests were incubated in standard conditions and at different depths in a hatchery in a Boavista beach (Cabo Verde) so as to evaluate the infiuence of nest depth on incubation. Doomed nests (nests with low chances of survival) were relocated to a hatchery and buried at different depths (35, 40, 45, 50 and 55 cm). Eighteen nests were placed at each of the selected depths and monitored until hatching. Incubation temperature was recorded continuously within nests at every depth. We also placed 18 nests (in the hatchery) at the same depth at which they were laid by the female in situ. Information

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