Thermal biology of sea turtels

Termalna biologija proučava utjecaj temperaturnog okoliša na organizme te adaptacije organizma na istu. Temperatura se prenosi na tri načina: kondukcijom (konvekcijom), evaporacijom i radijacijom. Utjecaj temperature zrake i vode su različitu. Voda ima veći koeficijent provodljivosti te je hlađenje kondukcijom veće. Vodeni organizmi mogu ostati u toplijim krajevima ili razviti anatomsko-fiziološke prilagodbe na hladnoću. Ove prilagodbe uključuju porast metaboličke aktivnosti, termalnu izolaciju potkožnim slojem masnoće i protustrujnu izmjenu topline. Da bi povećali metaboličku aktivnost i stvorili sloj masnoće potrebna je velika količina kemijske energije koja se dobiva hranom. Samo je sedmopruga usminjača razvila takve adaptacije te jedino nju hladnoća ne omamljuje u vodama temperature ispod 10⁰C. Sve se morske kornjače gnijezde na tropskim plažama, osim glavate želve koje preferiraju suptropska i umjerena mora. Temperatura unutar gnijezda utječe na omjer spolova i na preživljavanje jedinki unutar gnijezda. Klimatske promjene utjecati će na mjesto i vrijeme gniježđenja te na omjer spolova i stopu preživljavanja jedinki u gnijezdu. Klimatske promjene će dovesti do izumiranja vrsta morskih kornjača koje se neće adaptirati.Thermal biology studies the influence of the ambient temperature on the organism and its adaptation on thus. The temperature is transmitted in three ways: by conduction (convection), evaporation and radiation. Air temperature influence differs from influence of the water temperature. The water has a higher conductivity coefficient and its cooling effect through conductivity is higher. Aquatic organisms can stay in warmer regions or develop anatomical and physiological adaptations to the cold environment. These adjustments include increased metabolic rate, thermal insulation provided by blubber and countercurrent heat exchange. To increase the metabolic rate and create a layer of blubber, a large amount of food to store as chemical energy is needed. Only the leatherback turtle has developed such adjustments, and is the only living turtle species that doesn’t suffer from cold stunning in waters whose temperature is below 10°C. All sea turtles nest on tropical beaches, except for the loggerhead which prefers subtropical and temperate seas. The temperature inside the nest affects the sex ratio and the survival of individuals within the nest. Climatic changes will affect the nesting period and the nesting site, as well as the survival rate of individuals in the nest. Climate changes will lead to the extinction of species of sea turtles which are unable to successfully adapt