Meeting Abstract

P3.37  Sunday, Jan. 6  Do leatherback turtles shift their nesting seasons as a response to changes in sea surface temperature? NEEMAN, N.*; ROBINSON, N.J.; O’CONNOR, M.P.; SPOTILA, J.R.; PALADINO, F.V.; Drexel University; Purdue University; Drexel University; Drexel University; Purdue University nn72@drexel.edu

Modern species of sea turtles have survived past shifts in climate. However, current rates of increase in atmospheric greenhouse gases and associated temperature changes are very rapid and it remains unclear whether sea turtles, limited by their long generation times, will be able to adapt to new conditions. If they do, it may be by changing their nesting; either by moving to new beaches or by shifting their nesting season. The aim of this study is to determine whether the leatherback populations nesting at two Caribbean beaches (Tortuguero, Costa Rica and St. Croix, US Virgin Islands) are shifting their nesting seasons in response to changing sea surface temperatures. Correlations were made between sea surface temperatures both at nesting and foraging sites and Julian date by which certain percentiles (10th, 25th and 50th) of nests have been laid on each beach. The correlation between temperature and net primary production (NPP) was also studied for each site. The temperature at the nesting sites did not have an effect on nesting dates. However, changes in temperature (higher or lower, depending on the site) at two of the foraging sites for Tortuguero led to higher NPP and to later nesting. One of the foraging sites for St. Croix had suggestive results, consistent with those for Tortuguero. To better determine if this observed trend is real, the study will be repeated for Playa Grande, Pacific coast of Costa Rica.