The reproductive behavior and physiology of the Kemp's ridley sea turtle, Lepidochelys kempi (Garman, 1880) /
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| Other Authors: | , , |
| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
1991.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | ProQuest, Abstract Link to OAKTrust copy |
| Abstract: | The Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempi) is the most endangered sea turtle species in the world, yet its reproductive biology is poorly understood. The objectives of this research were to 1) describe the reproductive behavior of Li kempi in captivity, 2) determine the seasonal endocrine and behavioral patterns of captive Li kempi. and 3) apply these data to the nesting physiology of wild L kempi. A chronology of mating behavior for captive L kempi was described. Behavioral variations were observed with regard to: 1) courtship, 2) female avoidance, and 3) mounting and mount interference. The mating and nesting behavior of L. kempi is distinctive from that of the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas). Evidence from wild nesting L. kempi at Rancho Nuevo, Mexico suggest that the behavior observed in captivity is similar to the wild population. Lepidochelys kempi displays a seasonal reproductive cycle with a distinct mating period (March) followed by a three month nesting period (April to July) in captivity. Seasonal changes in the frequency of reproductive behaviors were observed. Male and female L. kempi display prenuptial gonadal cycles. Male testosterone rose four to five months prior to mating during which testicular recrudescence and spermatogenesis occurred. Female testosterone was correlated with the onset of mating activity and female receptivity, whereas, vitellogenesis was observed to occur four to six months prior to mating. Female testosterone levels were observed to decline over the nesting period with successive nestings. These results suggest that testosterone has both a physiological and behavioral role in males and females. These roles appear to have been conserved throughout the Class Reptilia. Serum testosterone and ultrasonography were used to study the nesting physiology of wild kempi at Rancho Nuevo, Mexico. Physiological data from the 1990 nesting season suggest that wild kempi are capable of 3.075 nests per season. These results also suggest that the population of nesting females arrive at Rancho Nuevo in mid-April and remain in the vicinity through June until they have completed nesting. This increase in nesting fecundity has implications regarding population estimates suggesting that the adult female population is being over-estimated by 30 to 38%. |
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| Item Description: | Typescript (photocopy). Vita. "Major subject: Zoology." |
| Physical Description: | xvi, 138 leaves : illustrations ; 29 cm |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |