hays-reproductiveseasonality-2002.pdf (163.52 kB)
Reproductive seasonality and sexual dimorphism in green turtles
journal contribution
posted on 2002-01-01, 00:00 authored by B Godley, A Broderick, R Frauenstein, F Glen, Graeme HaysGraeme HaysThe temporal distribution of nesting and mating in green turtles Chelonia mydas at Ascension Island (7°57¹S, 14°22¹W) in the South Atlantic is described. Mathematical description of the seasonal pattern of nesting showed extreme similarity between seasons, and evidence is presented to support the hypothesis that observed patterns are driven by prevailing environmental temperature. Mating was observed to begin before nesting and follow a pattern consistent with a modelled seasonal influx of suitable females into the annual breeding population. When available data on male size are compared with that of females from the same population (n = 12 populations), a pronounced and consistent sexual dimorphism, with males being smaller than females, is highlighted in all populations. The possible mechanisms behind the evolution of such a pattern are discussed.
History
Journal
Marine ecology progress seriesVolume
226Pagination
125 - 133Publisher
Inter-ResearchLocation
Oldendorf, GermanyISSN
0171-8630eISSN
1616-1599Language
engPublication classification
C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2002, Inter-ResearchUsage metrics
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Keywords
Chelonia mydasmatingbreedingAscension Islandsea turtlesAtlanticScience & TechnologyLife Sciences & BiomedicinePhysical SciencesEcologyMarine & Freshwater BiologyOceanographyEnvironmental Sciences & EcologyCHELONIA-MYDASASCENSION-ISLANDSEA-TURTLESSIZE DIMORPHISMCOURTSHIP BEHAVIORGENE FLOWPOPULATIONMITOCHONDRIALSELECTIONBIOLOGYZoologyOceanographyEcology
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