CLUTCH SIZE AND INCUBATION TEMPERATURES OF GREEN TURTLE EGGS

Abstract

Since clutch size of sea turtle eggs, through metabolic heating, can affect incubation temperatures, a study was conducted on Redang Island, Malaysia to look into the magnitude of this effect and its possible influence on sex determination of hatchlings. Miniature self-recording temperature loggers were used to monitor the incubation temperatures of relocated green turtle nests with 0, 5, 25, 50, 75, and 100 eggs at 60cm depth. Incubation temperatures were not constant but changed depending on weather, season, period of incubation and clutch size. The differential effects of metabolic heating on nest temperature due to clutch size only became evident after the first-third of incubation. These effects increase as the incubation progresses until hatching. Metabolic heating effects were greater in larger clutches compared to smaller clutch sizes. Incubation temperature reached its maximum after approximately 45 days of incubation. Clutch size can have a significant impact on incubation temperature through metabolic heating but may not necessarily influence significantly the sex ratio output of hatchlings.