Sánchez Cruz, Ivanis T.

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    Nest microenvironment characterization and reproductive success of 𝘋𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘰𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘺𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘢 (Vadelli, 1761) at Playa Grande in Arecibo, Puerto Rico
    (2024-07-05) Sánchez Cruz, Ivanis T.; Puente Rolón, Alberto R.; College of Arts and Sciences - Sciences; Díaz Lameiro, Alondra M.; Ramírez Martínez, Wilson R.; Department of Biology; Cruz Motta, Juan J.
    The reproductive success of leatherback sea turtles exhibits lower rates in comparison to any other sea turtle species. Given the absence of parental care, comprehending the influence of the egg development environment becomes critical. The extent to how incubation temperature influences the incubation period duration, embryo mortality, hatching, and emergence success remains inconclusive. This research aimed to characterize leatherback nests situated on Playa Grande beach in Arecibo during the 2023-nesting season. Incubation temperatures were measured placing data loggers in center of the egg chamber and sand samples were collected. Average temperature for successful nests was 32.2°C; failed nests 32.5°C. When the incubation temperatures were observed by the embryonic developmental stages, failed nests were significantly warmer during the early and mid-stages. A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis identified the highest rates of embryo mortality in the early and late stages of development. The sediment grain size was measured using sieve analysis, were medium sand (500-250µm) (Wentworth scale) was the predominant grain size observed across all samples. The sediment composition was studied by point counts in a stereoscope and the predominant composition of sediment found in all the sand samples studied was Bioclasts, Coated Grains, and Calcareous Lithoclasts with an average of 66.1% (ranging from 3 to 45%). Based on the colors of sediment particles the predominant classification was light sediments 76% (ranging from 70 to 82%), in contrast, dark sediments averaged 24%, ranging from 18 to 27%. No patterns were observed between reproductive success rates or incubation temperatures and the variations in the sediment variables measured. Further analysis is needed to understand the microenvironment influence in reproductive outcomes. This study represents the first nest microenvironment characterization for leatherbacks in Puerto Rico.