Phenology of marine turtle nesting revealed by statistical model of the nesting season.

摘要: Marine turtles deposit their eggs on tropical or subtropical beaches during discrete nesting seasons that span several months. The number and distribution of nests laid a season provide vital information various aspects marine turtle ecology conservation. In the case leatherback sea in French Guiana, we developed mathematical model to explore phenology season, derived from an incomplete nest count dataset. We detected 3 primary components leatherbacks: overall shape corresponds arrival departure females Guianas region, sinusoidal pattern with period approximately 10 days is related physiological constraints female leatherbacks, 15 likely reflects influence spring high tides turtles. proposed here offers variety uses for both also other taxa when individuals are observed particular location only part year.