Determination of sensitive nesting habitats and reproductive status of critically endangered species, hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata (Linnaeus, 1766)) in Shidvar International Wetland

Abstract

The present study aimed to determine the sensitive habitats and reproductive status of hawksbill turtles in Shidvar international wetland in Hormozgan province from March to June 2019. During the study 61 turtles were biometry. According to the beaches monitoring, the northern and eastern parts of Shidvar Island were identified as sensitive nesting habitats with a total of about 1,700 meters were determined. Most nesting turtles were observed from 15 April to the end of May. The results showed that mean CCL and CCW were 72.757±4.7 cm, and 66.303±2.6 cm, respectively, and the mean total number of eggs were 86.2±19.2, mean of normal and abnormal eggs were 72.2 ±19.2 and 14.2±13.2, mean of normal egg diameter and weight were 36.92±2.2 mm and 31.2±3.2gr, and mean of abnormal egg diameter and weight were 22.2±11.2 mm and 8.2±7.2gr. The mean of hatchling length, width, and weight were 37.17 ±0.49, 29.77±2.52 mm, and 13.5±0.51gr. The incubation period and hatching percentages were 64.3 days and 53.2%. Comparing biological factors in the Shidvar area with other laying areas all over the world showed that the hawksbill turtle in the study area is smaller than others in the world. But the diameter and weight of eggs are no different from others in the world.

Keywords

• sensitive habitats. breeding
• turtle
• wetland
• persian gulf