Do the Female Sea Turtles Benefit from Multiple Paternity? A Review of the Frequencies of Multiple Paternity Across Sea Turtle Rookeries

Abstract

Sea turtles are promiscuous breeders. Since it is very difficult to observe individuals of a marine species while mating and usually impossible to determine the successful mating, molecular studies provide a tool to make an inference about mating system of this species. Recent molecular studies on sea turtle mating systems have demonstrated that polyandry is much more common than polygyny in sea turtles. It is well known that multiple paternity (MP) is evident in all sea turtle populations with polyandrous mating system. Determination of frequency of MP is of great importance for understanding of mating system and population structure of endangered populations and contributes to the conservation efforts. The frequency of MP shows great inter- and intra-specific variability. But why does this frequency vary greatly within and among species? Why does a female sea turtle mate multiple times within a season? Do the females benefit from MP? To elucidate these questions, here I review the frequency of MP for sea turtles nesting around the world. Based on data for several rookeries throughout the world, there were significant differences in the frequency of MP among species (p < 0.01). The frequency of MP was statistically correlated to neither clutch size (eggs) nor female size (curved carapace length [CCL]) (p > 0.05). However, there was a moderate positive correlation between the frequency of MP and hatching success (defined as the rate of hatchlings emerging successfully from the eggs) (r2 = 0.45, p < 0.05). These findings suggest that MP, contrary to common belief, does not work in favour of larger females and does not result in increased clutch size, but hatching success increases with the increasing frequency of MP. It can be concluded from these evaluations that MP in sea turtle may have at least some benefits: increased genetic diversity and heightened offspring viability and variability.

Keywords

• Sea turtle,Multiple paternity,Female size,Clutch size,Hatching success

References

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