Insect Infestation of Hawksbill Sea Turtle Eggs in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
Abstract
We describe infestation of hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) nests by insects on Pipa beach in the municipality of Tibaudo Sul, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil in January and June 2011. The mean number of live hatchlings (83.96 ± 43.31) was higher in nests unassociated with vegetation, although it is important to consider that a number of parameters other than proximity to vegetation may also affect nest success.
Map showing Cacimbinhas (01), Madeiro (02), and Baía dos Golfinhos (03) beaches in the municipality of Tibau do Sul, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.
(A) Proportion of infested and uninfested Eretmochelys imbricata nests on the 3 study beaches in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, in 2011. (B) Mean (± SD) number of live Eretmochelys imbricata hatchlings found in nests in the different sectors of the study beaches in Pipa, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, in 2011. (C) Proportion of infested and uninfested Eretmochelys imbricata nests in the different sectors of the study beaches in Pipa, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, in 2011.
(A) Dipteran larva found in an Eretmochelys imbricata nest. Adult flies of the families (B) Tachinidae and (C) Piophilidae found in the nests of Eretmochelys imbricata. Adult flies of the families (D) Calliphoridae and (E–F) Phoridae found in the nests of Eretmochelys imbricata. Ant found in a damaged Eretmochelys imbricata egg (G) in situ and (H) under the microscope. (I) Beetle of the family Staphylinidae found in the nests of Eretmochelys imbricata. Photos by Paula Fonseca da Silva, 2011 and Márcio Frazão Chaves, 2011.
Diagram representing the locations of the Eretmochelys imbricata nests recorded in the present study relative to the vegetation and high-tide line on the study beaches in Pipa, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The white dots represent infested nests, and the black dots represent uninfested nests. Drawing by Israel Macedo de Sousa.
Contributor Notes
Handling Editor: Jeffrey A. Seminoff
