Nesting ecology of the green sea turtle Chelonia mydas along the Saurashtra coast

The nest and clutch characteristics of the green sea turtle Chelonia mydas were assessed during 2000-02 in the Mangrol -Porbandar beach of Saurashtra coast (Lat. 21" 6' - 21" 38' N; Long. 69" 37' - 70" 6' E) in India during December 2001 -January 2002. The nesting density was 5.1 nests/km. Within the area of survey, the nesting site preference was evaluated for 11 transects. Maximum nest density was within 20 m from the high tide line where moisture content of the soil was 3.6%. Of the total nests observed (194), the depth of 63% nests varied between 71 - 90 cm. Except in one transect, the soil particle size was below 0.7 mm. There was no correlation between the nest density, and the soil pH and salinity. The number of eggs in each clutch ranged from 61 - 135 with a mean of 93. About 25% of the nests were predated by wild animals. The mean hatching and emergence success was 79% and 76%, respectively. It is estimated that 17,964 eggs were laid, but only 10,936 hatchlings emerged successfully and reached the sea. Key words: Nesting ecology, green sea turtle, Chelonia myda