Departure of male olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) from a nearshore breeding ground

Between 1990 and 1993, adult male olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) were captured at their breeding ground, in the Gulf of Papagayo, on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. We attached radio (VHF) and satellite (UHF) transmitters to 11 reproductively active males (as verified by serum testosterone measurements and laparoscopy) to monitor their movements in and from the breeding ground. Telemetered males departed the Gulf of Papagayo by late September, which coincided with a notable decrease in the number of males that we observed in the breeding ground and with the mid-season peak in the number of females emerging to lay eggs at Nancite Beach. We suggest that males of L. olivacea depart nearshore breeding grounds at mid-season because most of the females already have mated.

Departure of male olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) from a nearshore breeding ground Academic Article