Comparative study of plasma parameters ridley (lepidochelys olivacea)‎ and (eretmochelys imbricata)‎ during nesting

Abstract EN

The aim of this study is to investigate the role of plasma level parameters during nesting activity and provide data potentially useful to future studies on the dynamics of reproductive and stress hormones in the most endangered sea turtle species in the world.

Plasma parameters in the sea turtles, olive riley (Lipodochelys oliveacea) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricate) from Messiah Island, Oman, was analyzed relative to nesting stress.

To date, no study has been conducted on plasma parameter levels in sea turtles during nesting.

Field observations were conducted under ideal temperature conditions.

At the time of sampling, there was no significant difference for cloacal, sand, air or water temperature for the two species.

Electrolytes (Cl¯, Ca++, K+, Na+ and Mg++), cholesterol, urea, uric acid and osmolality were measured during nesting.

Both species were observed to spend between 1.5 and 2.00 hours on the nesting grounds.

Some had successful oviposit ion and completed all nesting phases, while others with incomplete nesting phases failed to oviposit their eggs.

Under both conditions, the turtles of both species had an exhaustive and stressful nesting exercise.

Plasma parameter values, both intra-specifically and inter-specifically, were not significantly different for ovipositor and non-ovipositor turtles.

This may indicate that both species have the same physiological adjustment relative to plasma parameters whether or not the turtles ovipositor their eggs.