Evaluation of the influence of two transport boxes on the incubation, hatching and emergence of Kemp's ridley turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) eggs

Abstract

Anthropogenic activities directly and indirectly affect the life cycle of Kemp's ridley turtles (Lepidochelys kempii). The transport of sea turtle eggs in boxes helps to establish new nesting areas and increases the possibility of turtle survival. This study aimed to compare the effects of two types of transport boxes on egg incubation, hatching rate and turtle emergence: a conventional plastic crate-type box with polystyrene nets as egg protection, and an experimental plywood box with convoluted (egg carton) foam as egg protection. Both boxes were used to transport eggs from 40 in situ nests (n = 20 nests transported by each box system, with 89-97 eggs per nest) to the Tepehuajes station (Tamaulipas, Mexico), during the nesting season from 23 April to 31 May 2000. Incubation period, and hatching and emergence rates for both box systems were compared using Student's t-test. The results showed that the experimental box had a significant positive effect on hatching and emergence rates when compared with the conventional plastic box, representing a feasible alternative for nest translocation procedures.