scholarly journals Olive Ridley Sea Turtle Hatching Success as a Function of Microbial Abundance and the Microenvironment ofIn SituNest Sand at Ostional, Costa Rica

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa S. Bézy ◽  
Roldán A. Valverde ◽  
Craig J. Plante
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Costa Rica ◽  
Hatching Success ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
High Density ◽  
Microbial Abundance ◽  
Olive Ridley ◽  
Nesting Beaches

Sea turtle hatching success at mass nesting beaches is typically lower than at solitary nesting beaches, presumably due in part to high rates of microbial metabolism resulting from the large input of organic matter from turtle eggs. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that hatching success varies across areas of the beach in conjunction with differences in the physical nest environment and microbial abundance of in situ olive ridley sea turtle nests at Ostional, Costa Rica. We marked natural nests in high-density, low-density, and tidal-wash nesting areas of the beach and monitored clutch pO2and temperature throughout the incubation period. We quantified hatching success and collected samples of nest sand during nest excavations. We quantified microbial abundance (bacteria and fungi) with a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis. Hatching success was lower in nests with lower pO2, higher temperatures, higher organic matter content, and higher microbial abundance. Our results suggest that the lower oxygen within the nest environment is likely a result of the high microbial abundance and rates of decomposition in the nest sand and that these factors, along with increased temperature of clutches in the high-density nesting area, are collectively responsible for the low hatching success at Ostional.

scholarly journals Olive Ridley Sea Turtle Hatching Success as a Function of the Microbial Abundance in Nest Sand at Ostional, Costa Rica

PLoS ONE ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. e0118579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa S. Bézy ◽  
Roldán A. Valverde ◽  
Craig J. Plante
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Hatching Success ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Microbial Abundance ◽  
Olive Ridley

Unearthing the sand microbiome of sea turtle nests with disparate survivorship at a mass-nesting beach in Costa Rica

2020 ◽  
Vol 85 ◽  
pp. 71-83
Author(s):  
VS Bézy ◽  
KM Hill-Spanik ◽  
CJ Plante
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
Microbial Community ◽  
Costa Rica ◽  
Hatching Success ◽  
Microbial Community Composition ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Microbial Pathogens ◽  
Olive Ridley ◽  
Microbial Composition ◽  
Nesting Sites

For endangered sea turtle populations, microbial pathogens of developing embryos are of concern at nesting sites around the globe. For olive ridley turtles, hatching success is markedly lower at mass-nesting sites than at solitary nesting beaches, a case presumably resulting from the abundance of decomposing eggs generated by nesting turtles destroying adjacent eggs. This organic input drives microbial activity, affecting the nest environment (i.e. pO2 and temperature), and reducing embryo survivorship and hatching success. However, the composition of microbial communities in nest sand has not been studied in detail and the presence of potential pathogens can, therefore, not be discounted. As a part of a larger study that investigated microbial abundance in nests, we employed high-throughput DNA sequencing to compare fungal and bacterial composition in nest sand from areas of disparate embryo survivorship. While we found no differences in alpha-diversity (mean operational taxonomic unit diversity within each site) among nesting areas, the microbial community composition of each area was distinct, and differences in community structure corresponded with variable hatching success. Some sequences of potential sea turtle egg pathogens were obtained (e.g. Fusarium solani species complex), but were in low relative abundance, and their presence was not associated with low hatching success. Our results from the arribada beach at Ostional, Costa Rica, provide further evidence that the physical characteristics of the nest (including those that determine microbial composition and activity) are likely more relevant to hatching success than the presence of potential pathogens or microbial community structure alone.

scholarly journals Chelonicola and Poulinea, two new gomphonemoid diatom genera (Bacillariophyta) living on marine turtles from Costa Rica

Phytotaxa ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 233 (3) ◽  
pp. 236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roksana Majewska ◽  
J. P. Kociolek ◽  
Evan W. Thomas ◽  
Mario De Stefano ◽  
Mario Santoro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Sea Turtles ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
New Genera ◽  
Olive Ridley ◽  
Lepidochelys Olivacea ◽  
Marine Turtles ◽  
The Family ◽  
Long Time

Marine mammals such as whales and dolphins have been known for a long time to host a very specific epizoic community on their skin. Less known however is the presence of a similar community on the carapaces of sea turtles. The present study is the first describing new taxa inhabiting sea turtle carapaces. Samples, collected from nesting olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) on Ostional Beach (Costa Rica), were studied using light and scanning electron microscopy. Two unknown small-celled gomphonemoid taxa were analysed in more detail and are described as two new genera, closely related to other gomphonemoid genera with septate girdle bands, such as Tripterion, Cuneolus and Gomphoseptatum. Chelonicola Majewska, De Stefano & Van de Vijver gen. nov. has a flat valve face, uniseriate striae composed of more than three areolae, simple external raphe endings, internally a siliceous flap over the proximal raphe endings and lives on mucilaginous stalks. Poulinea Majewska, De Stefano & Van de Vijver gen. nov. has at least one concave valve, uniseriate striae composed of only two elongated areolae, external distal raphe endings covered by thickened siliceous flaps and lives attached to the substrate by a mucilaginous pad. Chelonicola costaricensis Majewska, De Stefano & Van de Vijver sp. nov. and Poulinea lepidochelicola Majewska, De Stefano & Van de Vijver sp. nov. can be separated based on stria structure, girdle structure composed of more than 10 copulae, raphe structure and general valve outline. A cladistics analysis of putative members of the Rhoicospheniaceae indicates that the family is polyphyletic. Chelonicola and Poulinea are sister taxa, and form a monophyletic group with Cuneolus and Tripterion, but are not closely related to Rhoicosphenia, or other genera previously assigned to this family. Features used to help diagnose the family such as symmetry and presence of septa and pseudosepta are homoplastic across the raphid diatom tree of life.

scholarly journals Sea turtles support sustainable livelihoods at Ostional, Costa Rica

Oryx ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mallika Sardeshpande ◽  
Douglas MacMillan
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Sustainable Livelihoods ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Environmental Conservation ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Olive Ridley ◽  
Nesting Site

AbstractOstional in Costa Rica is the second largest nesting site of the olive ridley sea turtle Lepidochelys olivacea, which is categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. In Ostional the local community helps maintain the nesting site and collects olive ridley eggs for consumption and trade within Costa Rica. Since its inception in 1987 the egg harvesting project has integrated sea turtle conservation with community development. We assessed the current status of this project in terms of community awareness, dependency, involvement and perceptions, using a household survey and semi-structured interviews with key informants. We also compared some of our findings with those of previous studies at the site, finding that the project has fewer dependents, primary livelihood activities have shifted towards tourism and hospitality, and respondents are more aware about environmental conservation and stewardship. We map outcomes of the project with the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, and suggest that further capacity building for research and tourism could contribute towards sustaining the turtle population, local livelihoods, and the community-based conservation institution.

scholarly journals Impact of the fire ant pesticide AMDRO on loggerhead turtle nest productivity and seafinding orientation

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 339-347
Author(s):  
HE Smith ◽  
SR Hoover ◽  
M Salmon ◽  
H Seaman ◽  
CM Coppenrath ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nest Site ◽  
Hatching Success ◽  
Loggerhead Turtle ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Fire Ants ◽  
Fire Ant ◽  
Typical Application ◽  
Ghost Crabs ◽  
Emergence Success ◽  
Nesting Beaches

Invasive fire ants prey on a variety of organisms in the southeastern USA, including the pipped eggs and hatchlings within sea turtle nests. The granular fire ant bait AMDRO® (active ingredient hydramethylnon) is currently used at some rookeries to protect nests, but no studies have been conducted to determine if the pesticide negatively impacts the eggs or the hatchlings. We examined the pesticide’s effect on loggerhead (Caretta caretta) nests at Juno Beach, Florida, USA, specifically targeting how exposure affected hatching success, hatchling emergence success, and the ability of the turtles to orient visually from the nest to the sea. Pesticide granules were placed within a 30 cm diameter circle on the sand directly above the nest during the final 5-10 days of incubation, representative of its typical application at nesting beaches. Cornmeal granules in soybean oil and untreated natural nests served as controls. AMDRO had no significant effect on hatching success or emergence success, nor did it result in any deficiencies in hatchling orientation accuracy. However, the pesticide and cornmeal control attracted other predators (Atlantic ghost crabs and avian species), in addition to fire ants, to the nest site, thus revealing the nest’s location and potentially increasing its vulnerability. Consequently, we suggest that its usage may not be beneficial at sites where predators other than ants are especially abundant.

scholarly journals Long-term monitoring of marine turtle nests in northeastern Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aline da Costa Bomfim ◽  
Daniel Solon Dias de Farias ◽  
Flávio José de Lima Silva ◽  
Silmara Rossi ◽  
Simone Almeida Gavilan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hatching Success ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Marine Turtle ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Olive Ridley ◽  
Potiguar Basin ◽  
Long Term Monitoring ◽  
Term Monitoring

Abstract: This study monitored marine turtle nests in a region known as the Potiguar Basin, which stretches from the northern region of Rio Grande do Norte State (5°4’1.15” S, 36°4’36.41” W) to eastern Ceará State (4°38’48.28” S, 37°32’52.08” W) in Brazil. We collected data from January 2011 to December 2019 to identify species of sea turtles that spawn in the basin, to analyze the nesting spatial-temporal pattern and nests characteristics, and to record effects of environmental and anthropic factors on nests. A field team examined sea turtle tracks and nests signs. Turtle clutches were monitored daily until hatchings emerged from the nests. We monitored nests of hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata; n = 238) and olive Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea; n = 103). The nesting season for E. imbricata occurred between December and May and for L. olivacea from March to August. Hawksbills had clutch size, incubation time, number of unhatched eggs, and dead hatchlings higher than olive Ridley turtles; nevertheless, they presented lower hatching success. Precipitation between 0 and 22 mm and relative humidity (RH) higher than 69% increased the hatching success rate for E. imbricata; however, rainfall above 11 mm and RH 64% had the same effect for L. olivacea. Signs of egg theft and human presence (e.g. vehicle traffic and plastic residues on the beach) were recorded and are considered threats to nests. The results of our long-term monitoring study in the Potiguar Basin provide basis for the implementation of mitigation measures and adoption of management policies at nesting beaches in this Brazilian region.

scholarly journals Sustainable Community-run Development: Experiences from the ADIO Project in Ostional, Costa Rica

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Katja Klopfer
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Olive Ridley ◽  
Turtle Species ◽  
Conservation Projects

<p>In the face of the current global sustainability challenge, seeking out and strengthening sustainable alternative methods for community development has become an urgent task for development professionals and academics. In order to explore one of such alternatives, in this thesis I draw on research conducted with the Associación de Desarollo Integral de Ostional (ADIO). Located on Costa Rica’s rural Pacific coast, ADIO was initiated by the local community of Ostional and resulted in the Project of Sustainable Use, Conservation and Management of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle in 1987. Co-managed by the University of Costa Rica (UCR) and the Ministry of Natural Resources (MINAE), ADIO practices conservation and scientifically monitors the management of the Olive Ridley sea turtle species. Surplus eggs from the turtle arribadas (the mass nesting’s of sea turtles) at the optional beach are being legally harvested and marketed by ADIO. This project has successfully contributed to the protection of the Olive Ridley turtle population whilst returning socio-economic benefits into the community. The aim of this research is to gain a better understanding of ADIO’s work and the significance of ADIO to the local community. My research draws on the experiences of community members to identify their perception of the benefits of ADIO to their own community, and unpack areas in need of improvement. Qualitative data were collected from community members through: semi structured interviews, participant observation, a reflective workshop, a questionnaire and field notes. The findings of this research identify key elements for the success of ADIO, and demonstrate the benefit of this Project toward the sustainability of the local community. This research demonstrates that socio-economic benefits can be gained through appropriate community participation in sustainable conservation projects, which can further enhance the desire of the local community to be better stewards of natural resources. This thesis seeks to contribute in some small way to an existing body of knowledge on the topics of sustainability, community-run conservation, and development.</p>

scholarly journals Sustainable Community-run Development: Experiences from the ADIO Project in Ostional, Costa Rica

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Katja Klopfer
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Olive Ridley ◽  
Turtle Species ◽  
Conservation Projects

<p>In the face of the current global sustainability challenge, seeking out and strengthening sustainable alternative methods for community development has become an urgent task for development professionals and academics. In order to explore one of such alternatives, in this thesis I draw on research conducted with the Associación de Desarollo Integral de Ostional (ADIO). Located on Costa Rica’s rural Pacific coast, ADIO was initiated by the local community of Ostional and resulted in the Project of Sustainable Use, Conservation and Management of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle in 1987. Co-managed by the University of Costa Rica (UCR) and the Ministry of Natural Resources (MINAE), ADIO practices conservation and scientifically monitors the management of the Olive Ridley sea turtle species. Surplus eggs from the turtle arribadas (the mass nesting’s of sea turtles) at the optional beach are being legally harvested and marketed by ADIO. This project has successfully contributed to the protection of the Olive Ridley turtle population whilst returning socio-economic benefits into the community. The aim of this research is to gain a better understanding of ADIO’s work and the significance of ADIO to the local community. My research draws on the experiences of community members to identify their perception of the benefits of ADIO to their own community, and unpack areas in need of improvement. Qualitative data were collected from community members through: semi structured interviews, participant observation, a reflective workshop, a questionnaire and field notes. The findings of this research identify key elements for the success of ADIO, and demonstrate the benefit of this Project toward the sustainability of the local community. This research demonstrates that socio-economic benefits can be gained through appropriate community participation in sustainable conservation projects, which can further enhance the desire of the local community to be better stewards of natural resources. This thesis seeks to contribute in some small way to an existing body of knowledge on the topics of sustainability, community-run conservation, and development.</p>

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