[Coral-List] Turtle imprinting.

[jessica]

Hi John,
This is a very complex subject and to answer your question simply, it is not known when turtles imprint to their natal beach.  However, since once turtles leave the beach (most species) embark on migrations away from their natal beach.  So it is thought that imprinting occurs during development in the nest or on their crawl to the water.  It is possible that 'head-starting' turtles does interfere with this process.  For more information on the geomagnetic imprinting hypothesis, see the past and current work being done in the Lohmann Lab at UNC-Chapel Hill ( http://www.unc.edu/depts/geomag/ ).  Also for information on results of a long-term head-starting program see the results of work done with Kemp's Ridleys that were transplanted from Mexico to Texas (http://www.sefsc.noaa.gov/turtles/PR_Fontaine_Shaver_2005_CCB.pdf).  Hope this helps!

Jessica Pate
MSc Candidate FAUjpate10 at fau.edu

> Date: Thu, 24 Jul 2014 13:39:57 -0700
> From: jware at erols.com
> To: Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> Subject: [Coral-List] Turtle imprinting.
> 
> Dear List:
> 
> Not really a coral reef topic, but related:
> 
> Over the past few years we have seen several resorts in tropical areas 
> that stand guard over sea-turtle egge clutches.  Then, when hatching 
> occurs, the young turtles are put in pens and raised until they are ~6 m 
> to 1 y old and then released.
> 
> I know that female turtles return to their natal place to lay their 
> eggs.  The question is: When do they imprint on that natal place?  If 
> the imprinting must occur soon after hatching, then the well meaning 
> people at the resorts are actually doing a disservice.
> 
> Anybody with real knowledge out there that can comment on the practice?
> 
> John
> 
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