The Herpetological Journal
The Herpetological Journal is the Society's prestigious quarterly scientific journal. Articles are listed in Biological Abstracts, Current Awareness in Biological Sciences,Current Contents, Science Citation Index, and Zoological Record.
ISSN 0268-0130
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pdf 01. Size at Male Maturity, Sexing Methods and Adult Sex Ratio in Loggerhead Turtles (Caretta caretta) from Italian Waters Investigated Through Tail Measurements
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Open Access
pp. 145-148
Authors: Casale, Paolo; Freggi, Daniela; Basso, Roberto & Argano, Roberto
Abstract: Tail length is the main secondary sexual characteristic of adult sea turtles. In order to assess the size at which sexual dimorphism in this character becomes evident, six different measurements of tail length were collected or calculated from 2631 Caretta caretta specimens found in the waters around Italy. These data show that an average male develops a longer tail at a size of 70 cm and attains sexual maturity at a size of 75-80 cm Curved Carapace Length. Studies of adult sex ratio based on tail measurements should therefore be restricted to specimens >75 cm. The distance from the cloaca to the posterior margin of the carapace appears to be the most effective measurement for sexing turtles of this size among the six characteristics investigated. In the sample, females are estimated to comprise 61% of the specimens >75 cm.
Keywords: MEDITERRANEAN SEA, SEXING METHOD, SEXUAL DIMORPHISM, WORDS : MALE SEXUAL MATURITY
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