Effects of Green Turtle Fibropapillomatosis on the Reproductive Success and Egg Composition of Green Turtles (Chelonia Mydas) Nesting at French Frigate Shoals, Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge

x, 89 leavesNesting activity of Hawaiian green turtles was monitored during the 1999 season on Tern Island, French Frigate Shoals, Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Throughout the nesting season, 28 turtles without fibropapillomatosis (FP) and 15 turtles with FP were monitored to determine if reproductive success is affected by FP. Weight (kg) and morphometric measurements (cm) were not significantly different between turtles with and without FP. Although hatch success was not significantly different; clutch sizes of turtles with FP were significantly less (ex < 0.1) than turtles without FP. A subsample of 8 turtles without FP and 7 with FP were observed to determine the potential effects of FP on egg composition. Average egg weight (g) was greater (p<0.01) and the percent crude fat was greater (p