Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

Incubation and Hatching rate in the turtle Chelonia mydas Linnaeus.

Volume 23 Issue 1&2

I. Njoman Sumertha Nuitja

Abstract

This paper embodies the results of experiments conducted to find out the role of temperature on the development, hatching and survival of turtle eggs. The experiments were conducted in the laboratory at Bogor Agriculture University as well as in the Citirem Beach. Temperature from the surface, 15 cm, 30 cm 45 cm and 60 cm below the surface were recorded at 0600, 1200, 1800 and 2400 Hrs WIT. The turtle eggs were incubated in groups in boxes at the University laboratory. 25 W and 40 W electrical bulbs were lighted over the surface of the nests to heat the incubating eggs. The temperature was found to vary with time and depth. The temperature variation was vide at 9 cm and 15 cm levels. The best result achieved in the seminatural nests was at the Citirem Beach where the hatching rate was 98 to 100% in group I. The hatching rate was O in Group III.

Date : 31-12-1981