Rediscovering nesting activities of Lepidochelys olivacea along the Dakshina Kannada Coast Karnataka West Coast of India.

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Auteurs principaux: Shettigar, Thejaswini, Haragi, Shivakumar, Mariyappa, Anthony
Format: Artículo científico
Langue:en
Publié: Scientific reports 2026
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author Shettigar, Thejaswini
Haragi, Shivakumar
Mariyappa, Anthony
author_facet Shettigar, Thejaswini
Haragi, Shivakumar
Mariyappa, Anthony
Shettigar, Thejaswini
Haragi, Shivakumar
Mariyappa, Anthony
collection PubMed - marine biology
contents Rediscovering nesting activities of Lepidochelys olivacea along the Dakshina Kannada Coast Karnataka West Coast of India. Shettigar, Thejaswini Haragi, Shivakumar Mariyappa, Anthony Animals India Nesting Behavior Turtles Conservation of Natural Resources Seasons Ecosystem Clutch Size This study documents the first recorded nesting of Lepidochelys olivacea along the Dakshina Kannada coast in 18 years, marking a significant milestone in regional sea turtle conservation. Between December 2023 to March 2024, 21 nests were recorded across six beaches, with Sasihithlu Beach (Mangalore) contributing 62% of nesting events and the highest density (2.36 nests/km). Nesting occurred even on isolated and commercially active beaches such as Panambur and Tannirbhavi. Nesting was observed across all lunar phases, deviating from the previously reported full moon preference, suggesting potential adaptive nesting strategies. Artificial lighting along the coast may influence this behaviour. Clutch size ranged from 71 to 135 eggs, with a positive correlation between egg weight and diameter. The average incubation period was 49 days (± 2.28), decreasing to 45 days for later-season nests. A moderately positive correlation was found between nest depth and hatching success. A negative correlation was observed between hatching success and distance from estuarine mouths, suggesting more favourable conditions closer to the estuary. In-situ nests recorded higher hatching (58.93%) and emergence (41.17%) rates than relocated nests, although a few relocated nests exhibited high hatching success (up to 98%). Identified threats along the study area include seawall construction, beach armouring, unsustainable fishing, ghost net entanglement, artificial illumination, pollution, and predation by feral dogs. These anthropogenic pressures were addressed through awareness campaigns, community involvement, and beach clean-up drives. This study offers baseline data for future research and supports the formulation of region-specific conservation strategies aimed at protecting Lepidochelys olivacea and its nesting habitats along the Dakshina Kannada coast.
format Artículo científico
id pubmed_41507238
institution PubMed
language en
publishDate 2026
publisher Scientific reports
record_format pubmed
spellingShingle Rediscovering nesting activities of Lepidochelys olivacea along the Dakshina Kannada Coast Karnataka West Coast of India.
Shettigar, Thejaswini
Haragi, Shivakumar
Mariyappa, Anthony
Animals
India
Nesting Behavior
Turtles
Conservation of Natural Resources
Seasons
Ecosystem
Clutch Size
Rediscovering nesting activities of Lepidochelys olivacea along the Dakshina Kannada Coast Karnataka West Coast of India. Shettigar, Thejaswini Haragi, Shivakumar Mariyappa, Anthony Animals India Nesting Behavior Turtles Conservation of Natural Resources Seasons Ecosystem Clutch Size This study documents the first recorded nesting of Lepidochelys olivacea along the Dakshina Kannada coast in 18 years, marking a significant milestone in regional sea turtle conservation. Between December 2023 to March 2024, 21 nests were recorded across six beaches, with Sasihithlu Beach (Mangalore) contributing 62% of nesting events and the highest density (2.36 nests/km). Nesting occurred even on isolated and commercially active beaches such as Panambur and Tannirbhavi. Nesting was observed across all lunar phases, deviating from the previously reported full moon preference, suggesting potential adaptive nesting strategies. Artificial lighting along the coast may influence this behaviour. Clutch size ranged from 71 to 135 eggs, with a positive correlation between egg weight and diameter. The average incubation period was 49 days (± 2.28), decreasing to 45 days for later-season nests. A moderately positive correlation was found between nest depth and hatching success. A negative correlation was observed between hatching success and distance from estuarine mouths, suggesting more favourable conditions closer to the estuary. In-situ nests recorded higher hatching (58.93%) and emergence (41.17%) rates than relocated nests, although a few relocated nests exhibited high hatching success (up to 98%). Identified threats along the study area include seawall construction, beach armouring, unsustainable fishing, ghost net entanglement, artificial illumination, pollution, and predation by feral dogs. These anthropogenic pressures were addressed through awareness campaigns, community involvement, and beach clean-up drives. This study offers baseline data for future research and supports the formulation of region-specific conservation strategies aimed at protecting Lepidochelys olivacea and its nesting habitats along the Dakshina Kannada coast.
title Rediscovering nesting activities of Lepidochelys olivacea along the Dakshina Kannada Coast Karnataka West Coast of India.
topic Animals
India
Nesting Behavior
Turtles
Conservation of Natural Resources
Seasons
Ecosystem
Clutch Size
url https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41507238/