Synchrony on embryonic development of marine turtles: individual variability and environmental effects

[EN] For sea turtles, to hatch and emerge from the nest communally is essential to decrease hatchling mortality. Thus, it is very important within a nest the simultaneous fertilization and the synchronized embryonic development of all eggs. On loggerhead nesting beaches of Cape Verde we have studied the individual variability on developmental synchrony of embryos and the influence on this process of some biological, environmental and management factors. We have compared this trait within and between 34 nests naturally incubated on the beach and 34 nests relocated to a beach hatchery during the 2009 and 2010 nesting seasons.

Synchrony on embryonic development of marine turtles: individual variability and environmental effects

[EN] For sea turtles, to hatch and emerge from the nest communally is essential to decrease hatchling mortality. Thus, it is very important within a nest the simultaneous fertilization and the synchronized embryonic development of all eggs. On loggerhead nesting beaches of Cape Verde we have studied the individual variability on developmental synchrony of embryos and the influence on this process of some biological, environmental and management factors. We have compared this trait within and between 34 nests naturally incubated on the beach and 34 nests relocated to a beach hatchery during the 2009 and 2010 nesting seasons.

Experimental study about the impact of artificial lighting on loggerhead female nesting in Cape Verde.

[EN] Artificial illumination of nesting beaches is one of the main threats to endangered sea turtle populations. Nocturnal lighting can impair female nest site selection and nesting success, as well as behavior and hatchling survival in their way from the nest surface to the seashore. The island of Boavista (Cape Verde) hosts the third largest loggerhead nesting aggregation in the world and the only relevant population in the Eastern Atlantic coast. Several threats such as fishing by-catch and female slaughter during nesting are severely threatening its conservation.