Age structure of stranded Loggerhead Turtles (Caretta caretta) in Turkey

Abstract

The Mediterranean coast of Turkey includes important nesting beaches and marine habitats for the Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta). We studied the demographic structure of this population by applying the skeletochronological method on stranded individuals. The mean age of stranded turtles was 27.0±3.83 years for females (N=10) and 40.1±14.97 years for males (N=7). The age of first reproduction was 23 years with a curved carapace length (CCL) of 61 cm for females and 21 years with a 67.5 cm CCL for males. The oldest observed female was 34 years old with a 67.8 cm CCL, while the oldest male was 59 years old with a 77.0 cm CCL. Incidental capture in fishing gear (60%) and marine vessel collisions (24%) were determined as the main causes of stranding.

Keywords:

• Age determination
• skeletochronology
• Mediterranean Sea

Acknowledgements

This research is part of the first author's master thesis from Pamukkale University. The permissions for field work, handling and laboratory studies were issued by the Animal Ethics Committee of Pamukkale University, the Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs, the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and Natural Parks and the Turkish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock. We are grateful to Yağmur Özyılmaz for assistance during laboratory work and anonymous volunteers for collecting bone samples from the Mediterranean coasts of Turkey.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.