One of the most unique of all sea turtle species, the leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), is distinguished by its smooth, 'leathery' looking carapace or shell. Listed as vulnerable, this species is experiencing population declines from natural and anthropogenic threats—including climate change.
Listed as vulnerable, the leatherback is one of the most unique of all sea turtle species. Credit: Sarah Milton, Florida Atlantic University
For the study, temperature data loggers were placed in 13 leatherback turtle nests along 9.6 kilometers of coastline in Juno Beach on the day they were laid during the early, middle and late South Florida nesting seasons beginning in March and ending in June. Researchers looked at the relationship between nest incubation temperatures and hatching success, emergence success, hatchling morphology and locomotor performance.
Incubation temperatures also affected hatchling performance. Righting response scores were significantly lower in hatchlings from late season, hotter nests. Hatchlings that were smaller and/or had a larger body depth struggled to right themselves. However, 30 percent of all 119 of the hatchlings tested across the season could not right themselves even one time.
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