Reproductive Behavior and Physiology of Marine Turtles: Results of Recent Research
Owens D, Wibbels T, Comuzzie D, Rostal D, Grassman M, Figler R, Limpus C. Reproductive Behavior and Physiology of Marine Turtles: Results of Recent Research
Imprinting studies: Grassman conducted laboratory protocols in which hatchling C. mydas, C. Caretta or L. kempi were exposed to natural beach sands and solutions or artificial media and chemicals. Chemical exposures were either: A. nest only, B. tank water only or C. nest and tank. The turtles were less than one year of age when their responses to these same chemicals were evaluated in a multiple choice arena. The following conclusions are derived from this work: 1. Sea turtles can orient to specific chemical cues learned early in life without formal conditioning. 2. They can distinguish between low concentrations of solutions prepared from natural beaches. 3. In our apparatus, immature turtles appear to show imprinting (Lorenzian definition) to chemicals to which they have been exposed early in life. 4. Exposure both in the nest and the tank water was necessary for any consistent responses in our system. This amounts to a prolonged exposure of several weeks.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Owens, David; Wibbels, Thane; Comuzzie, Diana; Rostal, David; Grassman, Mark; Figler, Robert; Limpus, Colin
- Units
- SFCN
- Keywords
- adaptations, Breeding, habitat conditions, habits, Instincts, Nesting, Physiology