Hatching and emergence success in green turtle Chelonia mydas nests in the Galápagos Islands

Green turtle hatching and emergence success in the Galápagos Islands, a critical rookery in the eastern Pacific, averages 45.6%, significantly lower than global norms. Predation by feral pigs and beetles, along with nest destruction by nesting females, are primary causes of embryo mortality. The study, analyzing 1039 nests across four beaches, found significant variation in success linked to beach location, year, oviposition timing, and habitat. These findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced conservation measures, particularly feral pig control near Isabela beaches, to protect this endangered species and its habitats.

Zárate, P., Bjorndal, K., Parra, M., Dutton, P., Seminoff, J., & Bolten, A. (2013). Hatching and emergence success in green turtle Chelonia mydas nests in the Galápagos Islands. Aquatic Biology, 19(3), 217–229. https://doi.org/10.3354/ab00534