Reproductive Occurrence of Eretmochelys imbricata (Linnaeus, 1766) in The Northern Coast of The State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Abstract

Female sea turtles migrate to breeding areas in search of deserted beaches with less human activity in which to lay their eggs and, consequently, continue their life cycle. This behavior varies depending on the species and breeding area. This research aimed to record the reproductive occurrences of Eretmochelys imbricata (Linnaeus, 1766) on the Barra de Maxaranguape, Cabo de São Roque, Caraúbas and Maracajaú beaches in the municipality of Maxaranguape, which sits on the northern coast of the State of Rio Grande do Norte. Data were collected during the 2016-2017 reproductive season. A standard type of methodology (TAMAR/ICMBio/MMA) was applied, with daytime and nighttime environmental monitoring in the species’ nesting sectors. 135 reproductive occurrences were recorded in all. Among the records with associated spawnings, 106 (78.5 %) were identified at the species level—104 of which corresponded to the E. imbricata species. The average number of eggs per nest and the hatching rate were calculated for each established sector. The breeding period saw its highest number of spawnings between the months of January and March 2017. Thus, the occurrence data and the reproductive behavior show that Cabo de São Roque beach had become a new nesting area. Preference for this beach was evident as a result of features such as ample vegetation cover and a lack human interference, which contributed to the conservation of the hawksbill turtle, a critically endangered species.