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Rekawa sea turtle nesting sand thermal profiles: temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD)?

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V
Valerie Incubation•930 rep

How do beach sand grain color, moisture levels, and vegetation shading govern male-versus-female hatchling ratios at the Rekawa turtle rookery?

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5 Answers from travellers

✓Accepted Answer

Sex determination in sea turtles nesting at Rekawa is temperature-dependent (TSD), governed by incubation temperatures in the middle third of the 60-day embryonic development. The pivotal temperature for Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) is roughly 29.2°C. Sand temperatures above 29.5°C produce 100% female hatchlings, while temperatures below 28.5°C yield males. At Rekawa, dark quartz-ilmenite sand grains absorb solar radiation, raising open beach temperatures; clutches laid beneath coastal Scaevola and Pandanus beach scrub remain cooler, producing the male hatchlings critical for regional genetic diversity.

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Dr Bandara DWC•1890 rep

In-situ nest conservation at Rekawa maintains natural sand thermal gradients, whereas concrete-tank artificial hatcheries often produce 100% female clutches.

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V
Valerie Incubation•930 rep

Community TCP field researchers record nest temperatures using buried digital data-loggers to monitor climate change impacts on sex ratios.

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Dr Dharshani NARA•1910 rep

Global warming trends that elevate beach sand temperatures threaten to feminize turtle populations, underscoring the value of preserving coastal vegetative tree buffers.

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Prof Gamhewage Bio•1950 rep

Night visitors must walk strictly near the water line to avoid stepping on and compacting the sand above subterranean egg chambers.

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Sarah Field Scout•1720 rep

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