Female-biased sex ratio of immature loggerhead sea turtles inhabiting the Atlantic coastal waters of Florida
The sex ratio of immature loggerhead sea turtles, Caretta caretta, inhabiting the Atlantic coastal waters of Florida was investigated. Blood samples were obtained from 223 turtles that were captured in the intake channel of a power plant on Hutchinson Island. A serum androgen sexing technique was ut...
| Published in: | Canadian Journal of Zoology |
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Canadian Science Publishing
1991
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z91-419 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z91-419 |
| Summary: | The sex ratio of immature loggerhead sea turtles, Caretta caretta, inhabiting the Atlantic coastal waters of Florida was investigated. Blood samples were obtained from 223 turtles that were captured in the intake channel of a power plant on Hutchinson Island. A serum androgen sexing technique was utilized to sex individual turtles. The sex ratio of the turtles (2.1 female: 1.0 male) differed significantly from 1:1 and thus appears to differ from predictions of sex allocation theory. These observations are consistent with those of a previous study, and collectively the results suggest that the sex ratio of immature C. caretta inhabiting the Atlantic coastal waters of the United States is significantly female biased: approximately two females per male. |
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