Spatiotemporal preferences in nesting of the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) in Melaka, Malaysia. (26th October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mohd Salleh, Sarahaizad; Nishizawa, Hideaki; Mohd Sah, Shahrul Anuar; Safri, Mohd Fardianshah
• Is Part Of: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. Volume 98:Number 8(2018)
• Page Start: 2145
• Page End: 2152
• Publication Date: 2017-10-26
• Subjects: Clutch size, -- emergence, -- nest site selection, -- seasonality, -- vegetation; Biology -- Periodicals; Marine biology -- Periodicals; 578.77
• DOI: 10.1017/S0025315417001734
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-3154

Abstract

Abstract : Nesting of hawksbill turtles ( Eretmochelys imbricata ) was monitored in 2013 and 2014 at 20 nesting beaches along the shores of Melaka, Peninsular Malaysia. Total nest numbers found were 481 and 463 in 2013 and 2014, respectively. The mean clutch size in 2013 of 123.5 ± 32.3 (SD) was similar to that in 2014 (118.5 ± 39.7). The distributions of nests were not uniform among the 20 beaches, and a large number of nests were found in Padang Kemunting, Kem Terendak, and Pulau Upeh, where the beaches were not always long. The nest sites indicated that the hawksbill turtle preferred to build its nest within the woody vegetation zone. The preferred vegetation species was Scaevola taccada . The temporal nesting pattern was year-round in both years, but the peak nesting season was between May and August, in the south-west monsoon season, possibly due to the gentle winds during this period. The turtles tended to nest between 22:01 and 24:00 h. This study provides basic information about hawksbill turtle nesting and insights into their spatial and temporal nesting preferences, which will contribute towards the conservation of this endangered species.