Sea surface temperature variations in core foraging grounds drive nesting trends and phenology of loggerhead turtles in the Mediterranean Sea

摘要: Abstract The sea surface temperature (SST) in loggerhead turtle breeding areas affects the species reproductive biology. Less is known about effects of changes SST foraging grounds. We used nesting data for Mediterranean population on Greek island Zakynthos to study effect grounds upon initiation and number clutches laid. found that climatic conditions affected phenology short term (i.e. within same year); warmer years triggered an earlier onset nesting. However, comparatively less important than local at ground. Although seems depend current's year nests our rookery were negatively correlated with SSTs recorded 2 years prior nesting, higher leading fewer nests. From this point view, climate change may influence loggerheads.