Global analysis of the effect of local climate on the hatchling output of leatherback turtles.

ABSTRACT: The most recent climate change projections show a global increase in temperatures along with precipitation changes throughout the 21(st) century. However, regional projections do not always match global projections and species with global distributions may exhibit varying regional susceptibility to climate change. Here we show the effect of local climatic conditions on the hatchling output of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) at four nesting sites encompassing the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans. We found a heterogeneous effect of climate. Hatchling output increased with long-term precipitation in areas with dry climatic conditions (Playa Grande, Pacific Ocean and Sandy Point, Caribbean Sea), but the effect varied in areas where precipitation was high (Pacuare, Caribbean Sea)

SUBMITTER: Santidrian Tomillo P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4648107 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature