Sand temperature variability at a sea turtle nesting site in the Indian Ocean

What is it about?

In a process known as temperature-dependent sex determination, the sex of sea turtles is determined by sand temperature: warmer temperatures produce more females, and cooler temperatures produce more males. This study examines one of the most extensive sand temperature datasets - a decade-long - from a sea turtle nesting site in the Indian Ocean. Here we explore sand temperature variation seasonally, inter-annually, between and within nesting beaches in the Indian Ocean.

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Photo by Satyawan Narinedhat on Unsplash

Photo by Satyawan Narinedhat on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Our finding of relatively low sand temperatures suggest both male and female-biased clutches are likely produced across the nesting season. This is important given that high sand temperatures and female-skewed sex ratios have been reported at many other sea turtle nesting sites around the world. Seasonality had the greatest influence on thermal variation which can lead to different incubation conditions throughout the nesting season. We also highlight the value of exploring long-term sand temperatures to capture outlier years of distinct cold or warm periods.

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