Accuracy and precision of sea-finding orientation as a function of dune proximity in hatchlings of two species of sea turtles

Abstract

Context Sea turtle hatchlings generally emerge at night from nests on sand beaches and immediately orient using visual cues, which are believed to entail the difference in brightness between the light seen in the seaward direction and that seen in the duneward direction. Aim The aim of this study was to understand how dune proximity affected hatchling orientations in two sea turtle species that share a nesting beach 15 km long and 25.3 ± 9.4 m (N = 215) from dune to waterline, with low to moderate artificial light nearby. Methods For hatchling loggerhead and green turtles, we measured accuracy and precision of orientation, tested differences in distance from nest to dune, and investigated the effect of dune proximity on hatchling orientation. Key results We found a significant decrease in hatchling orientation accuracy and precision in both species as the distance increased from nests to dune. Loggerhead and green turtles showed similar orientation ability when in the same proximity to the dune. Conclusions We conclude that dune features provide important cues for hatchling orientation on sea turtle nesting beaches. Implications Restoring and maintaining natural beach profiles, especially dune systems, is likely to increase the accuracy and precision of sea finding in hatchling sea turtles.