Reproduction of Chelonia mydas
Document Source: http://sealifebase.ca/Reproduction/FishReproSummary.php?ID=67018&GenusName=Chelonia&SpeciesName=mydas&fc=1338&StockCode=6011
 
Main Ref. Márquez, M.R., 1990
Mode
Fertilization internal (oviduct)
Spawning Frequency
Batch Spawner No
Reproductive Guild bearers
Nesters
Description of life cycle and mating behavior Gonochorism. Two year breeding interval; can also breed in cycles of 1, 3 or 4 years or may switch from one cycle to another depending on age, food quantity and quality. Usually successive nestings are separated by two week intervals, which often lays 2 to 5 clutches per season. Nesting peaks differs in response to variations in localities (Ref. 1397). Mating system of green turtles is called scramble polygamy, which is when males competitively search for receptive females. Individual males are thus observed to mate with several females within the same season (Ref. 66637). Their secondary sexual characteristic is a longer prehensile tail with terminal nail, larger, recurved claws on the front flippers and a soft, more concave plastra (Refs. 85357, 85358). This characteristic is important for successful mounting in the face of intrasexual agonism, which is common for this species (Ref. 85356). Sexual dimorphism also exists for this species, males being a smaller size and females being larger. This helps males be efficient at foraging, defending their territories, and performing elaborate courtship displays which is favored by females. The larger size of females on the other hand, favors them since it allows them to lay more large-sized eggs (Ref. 66637).
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(e.g. 9948)
(e.g. cnidaria)
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