Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
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Bjorndal, K. A., Parsons, J., Mustin, W., & Bolten, A. B. (2012). Threshold to maturity in a long-lived reptile: Interactions of age, size, and growth. Marine Biology, 160(3), 607–616.
Added by: Admin (06 Jan 2014 18:24:05 UTC) |
| Resource type: Journal Article DOI: 10.1007/s00227-012-2116-1 BibTeX citation key: Bjorndal2012 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Chelonia mydas, Cheloniidae, Fortpflanzung - reproduction, Haltung - husbandry, Physiologie - physiology, Schildkröten - turtles + tortoises Creators: Bjorndal, Bolten, Mustin, Parsons Collection: Marine Biology |
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| Abstract |
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Chelonia mydas Thresholds to sexual maturity—either age or size—are critical life history parameters. Usually investigated in short-lived organisms, these thresholds and interactions among age, size, and growth are poorly known for long-lived species. A 34-year study of captive green turtles (Chelonia mydas) that followed individuals from hatching to beyond maturity provided an opportunity to evaluate these parameters in a long-lived species with late maturity. Age and size at maturity are best predicted by linear growth rate and mass growth rate, respectively. At maturity, resource allocation shifts from growth to reproductive output, regardless of nutrient availability or size at maturity. Although captive turtles reach maturity at younger ages than wild turtles, the extensive variation in captive turtles under similar conditions provides important insights into the variation that would exist in wild populations experiencing stochastic conditions. Variation in age/size at maturity should be incorporated into population models for conservation and management planning.
Added by: Admin |