Long-term monitoring of marine turtle nests in northeastern Brazil

Authors

  • Aline da Costa Bomfim Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Centro de Biociências, Departamento de Morfologia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4678-7534
  • Daniel Solon Dias de Farias Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Centro de Biociências, Departamento de Morfologia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5923-8625
  • Flávio José de Lima Silva Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, Laboratório de Monitoramento de Biota Marinha, Projeto Cetáceos da Costa Branca https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6521-9367
  • Silmara Rossi Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Centro de Biociências, Departamento de Morfologia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0281-7236
  • Simone Almeida Gavilan Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Centro de Biociências, Departamento de Morfologia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1163-9822
  • Vinícius Gabriel da Silva Santana Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, Laboratório de Monitoramento de Biota Marinha, Projeto Cetáceos da Costa Branca https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9474-1189
  • Cibele Soares Pontes Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Escola Agrícola de Jundiaí, Unidade Acadêmica Especializada em Ciências Agrárias https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1993-0032

Keywords:

Eretmochelys imbricata, Lepidochelys olivacea, spawn, hatching success, threats

Abstract

Abstract: This study monitored marine turtle nests in a region known as the Potiguar Basin, which stretches from the northern region of Rio Grande do Norte State (5°4’1.15” S, 36°4’36.41” W) to eastern Ceará State (4°38’48.28” S, 37°32’52.08” W) in Brazil. We collected data from January 2011 to December 2019 to identify species of sea turtles that spawn in the basin, to analyze the nesting spatial-temporal pattern and nests characteristics, and to record effects of environmental and anthropic factors on nests. A field team examined sea turtle tracks and nests signs. Turtle clutches were monitored daily until hatchings emerged from the nests. We monitored nests of hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata; n = 238) and olive Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea; n = 103). The nesting season for E. imbricata occurred between December and May and for L. olivacea from March to August. Hawksbills had clutch size, incubation time, number of unhatched eggs, and dead hatchlings higher than olive Ridley turtles; nevertheless, they presented lower hatching success. Precipitation between 0 and 22 mm and relative humidity (RH) higher than 69% increased the hatching success rate for E. imbricata; however, rainfall above 11 mm and RH 64% had the same effect for L. olivacea. Signs of egg theft and human presence (e.g. vehicle traffic and plastic residues on the beach) were recorded and are considered threats to nests. The results of our long-term monitoring study in the Potiguar Basin provide basis for the implementation of mitigation measures and adoption of management policies at nesting beaches in this Brazilian region.

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Published

2021-01-01

How to Cite

Bomfim, A. da C., Farias, D. S. D. de, Silva, F. J. de L., Rossi, S., Gavilan, S. A., Santana, V. G. da S., & Pontes, C. S. (2021). Long-term monitoring of marine turtle nests in northeastern Brazil. Biota Neotropica, 21(3). Retrieved from //www.biotaneotropica.org.br/BN/article/view/1820

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