Temperature dependent sex determination and hatching performance of green turtle (Chelonia mydas) at Chendor Rookery on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

The green turtle (Chelonia mydas) is a major species of sea turtle in Malaysia. This study was conducted in 1997 and 1998 at a rookery of green turtles in Pahang. Hatching success as well as sex ratio between male and female was mainly affected by incubation temperatures. The objectives of this study are to determine the optimum temperature that could produce the best hatching performance and to obtain the suitable incubation temperature for producing the female hatching as well male of green turtle. The results showed that the temperatures between 25℃ to 33.0℃ are suitable for egg incubation. The temperatures between 27.2℃ to 29.2℃ produced more male turtle hatchlings at the Chendor rookeries, Pahang. More than 80% male hatchlings were produced at the temperatures between 27.2℃ to 28.2℃. Whereas female hatchlings are dominant at the temperature above 29.5℃. Temperature between 32.0℃ to 33.0℃ produce 100% female hatchlings. Thus determination on incubation temperature is vital to formulate the successful hatchery management of sea turtle in Malaysia as well as in the Southeast Asian region.