Abstract
Green sea turtles are one of the two species of marine turtles known to nest in the Maldives. The prevalent time of nesting seems to be inconsistent throughout the island nation. In this study, sea turtle nesting activity was monitored on the island of Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu in Baa Atoll over a period of 12 months. A total of 13 nests were confirmed with a median hatching success rate of 89.58% as ascertained by nest excavation. In one of the nests, a severely deformed hatchling with polycephaly, an opening in the neck area and a lordotic spine was found, and we investigated in detail with radiographic images and a necropsy. Our findings support the importance of consistent nesting activity and nest monitoring efforts in the country as a basis for conservation efforts.
Highlights
Various case reports from different populations all over the world are known
All false crawls, failed nest attempts and nests were identified as green turtle (Chelonia mydas) activities with confirmed nests restricted to June to September (Table 2)
Comparable hatching rates have been documented in the entire country (Hudgins et al 2017), showing that beach conditions in the Maldives are currently well-suited for sea turtle nests, providing these nests are left to develop undisturbed
Summary
Congenital malformations in wildlife are only reported sporadically, but they have been found in fishes (Dethelfsen, Von Westerhagen & Cameron 1996; Hevia-Homazábal, Pasten-Marambio & Vega 2011), amphibians (Blaustein & Johnson 2003; Henle et al 2012) and reptiles (Frye 1991; Sant’Anna et al 2013), birds (Ohlendorf et al 1986; Pourlis 2011) and mammals (Rojas-Lleonart, Silveira-Prade & Sotero-Delgado 2011; Stills & Bullock 1981). Various case reports from different populations all over the world are known (see, e.g., Bárcenas-Ibarra et al 2015; Caldwell 1959; Carswell & Lewis 2002; Craven et al 2019; Dodd 1988; Drennen 1990; Eckert et al 2012; Ehrhart & Witherington 1987; Fowler 1979; Gularte 2000; Hughes, Bass & Mentis 1967; Kaska & Downie 1999; Reichart 1993; Rhodin, Pritchard & Mittermeier 1984). The prevalence of congenital malformations can differ between sea turtle populations but overview studies are currently still rare (see e.g. Bárcenas-Ibarra et al 2015; Calderón Peña & Azanza Ricardo 2021; Craven et al 2019; Fowler 1979; Kaska, Downie & Furness 2000; Peters, Verhoeven & Strijbosch 1994)
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