Influence of Nest Microbiota on Hatching Success of Caretta Caretta on Lampedusa Island.

ABSTRACT: Egg hatching success in sea turtle nests can be influenced by multiple abiotic and biotic factors. Although interest in nest microbiota as a determinant of embryo development and viability is increasing, its role has not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we profiled the bacterial communities of four Caretta caretta nests on Lampedusa Island: Cala Pisana (P1 and P2) and Spiaggia dei Conigli (C1 and C2), which showed different hatching success rates (P1 = 85.2%, P2 = 1.1%, C1 = 1.1%, C2 = 0.0%). Using 16S rRNA gene (V3-V4) sequencing, we analyzed different sample types, including sand from inside and outside the nest chamber, eggshells, and inner membranes. Alpha diversity was highest in sand and lower in eggshells and inner membranes. β-diversity clearly separated the only successfu

SUBMITTER: Capri FC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12904927 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature