Invertebrate infestation in green turtle (Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus, 1758)) and loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta (Linnaeus, 1758)) nests on Alata Beach, Mersin, Turkey

Authors: CEMİL AYMAK, REMZİYE SERAP ERGENE, YUSUF KATILMIŞ, AŞKIN HASAN UÇAR

Abstract: Invertebrate infestation in sea turtle nests (Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas) was recorded for the first time for Alata beach, Mersin, Turkey. A total of 121 green and 32 loggerhead nests were recorded and 34 (22.22%) of these were examined in terms of the invertebrate faunal composition. The specimens found in the nests were identified to order, family, or genus levels and they were represented as 5 orders. These invertebrate groups are Pimelia sp. larvae (Tenebrionidae; Coleoptera), Elater sp. larvae (Elateridae; Coleoptera), Scarabaeidae larvae (Coleoptera), Muscidae (Diptera), Enchytraeidae (Oligochaeta), Myrmeleontidae (Neuroptera), and Cyrptostigmata (Acari).

Keywords: Chelonia mydas, Caretta caretta, nest, invertebrate infestation, Pimelia sp., Alata beach, Turkey

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