Critical Approaches to Sex Determination in Sea Turtles
113
TABLE 4.3
Examples of Hatchling Sex Ratios Predicted for Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches
Location
Method for
Predicting
Sex
Predicted Sex
Ratio
Reference
Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)
South Carolina and
Georgia
GH
56.3% female
Mrosovsky et al., 1984
Florida
GH
>93% female
Mrosovsky and Provancha, 1988
Florida
GH, BT
87.0–99.9%
female
Mrosovsky and Provancha, 1992
Brazil
ID
82.5% female
Marcovaldi et al., 1997
Florida
NT
>90% female
Hanson et al., 1998
Cyprus and Turkey
GH
Female-biased
Kaska et al., 1998
Cyprus
NT
Female-biased
Godley et al., 2001
Green (Chelonia mydas)
Sarawak
ID
74% female
Standora and Spotila, 1985, based
on data from Hendrickson, 1958
Suriname
GH, ID
53.9% female
Mrosovsky et al., 1984
Costa Rica
GH
67% female
Spotila et al., 1987
Suriname
GH, BT
68.4% female
Godfrey et al., 1996
Cyprus
GH
Female-biased
Kaska et al., 1998
Cyprus
NT
Highly femalebiased
Broderick et al., 2000
Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea)
Suriname
GH, ID
44% female
Mrosovsky et al., 1984
French Guiana
GH
Nearly 1:1
Rimblot-Baly et al., 1987
Suriname
GH, BT
53.6% female
Godfrey et al., 1996
Costa Rica
BT, NT
93.5–100%
female
Binckley et al., 1998
Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata)
Antigua
BT, ID
Not likely to be
highly femalebiased
Mrosovsky et al., 1992
U.S. Virgin Islands
GH
Female-biased
Wibbels et al., 1999
Brazil
ID
>90% female
Godfrey et al., 1999
Notes: The predicted sex ratio is based on the authors’ prediction in percent female (if reported) or
is the general description given by the authors (e.g., female bias, etc.). The methodology can vary
greatly between these studies, so readers should refer to each individual study for information on
number of seasons estimated, seasonal variation, interyear variation, etc. GH = gonadal histology;
BT = beach temperature; ID = incubation duration; NT = nest temperature.
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