About This Project

This research focuses on collecting DNA samples from the olive ridley sea turtle, Lepidochelys olivacea. We are wanting to further comprehend the health of the species outside of population size by assessing the genetic diversity. High enough levels of inbreeding can cause a decrease in genetic diversity that is difficult for a species to recover from. Understanding if there are genetic factors challenging this turtle's survival will help motivate countries to find sustainable solutions.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

The olive ridley sea turtle, previously an endangered species, is currently listed as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List. While the numbers of some sub-populations have rebounded, the species as a whole is still in steady decline due to poaching of sea turtle eggs a lack of nesting habitat. As the most abundant sea turtle in the world, these turtles are overlooked in favor of rarer sea turtle species in terms of research. We hope our research will help diagnose and assess the health of the species outside of their numbers. Our results will lay the foundation for more efforts to assist this species before its population declines to unsustainable levels.

What is the significance of this project?

Arribadas (mass nesting locations) are key to successful sea turtle reproduction. Several countries have recognized the significance of these nesting grounds, like India, which recently enacted laws preserving the country’s turtle nesting areas. Costa Rica has enacted a sustainable way of harvesting turtle eggs that maintains the current sea turtle population. Mexico also has prominent turtle nesting beaches, but has yet to take significant measures to preserve their populations. The exact opposite is actually occurring as poaching the eggs is considered economically and culturally valuable. If our research is able to prove the real danger these turtles are under, we may be able to convince and motivate Mexico to provide sustainable protection for this species.

What are the goals of the project?

We want to take genetic material from mothers and offspring at the end of the breeding season. Using this we will extract DNA and ascertain allele frequencies. We hope to produce a comprehensive picture of the current trends in genetic diversity found in the olive ridley sea turtles of Mexico. As this species is able to live up to 50 years we hope to get DNA from multiple generations. As their decline began in the 1960’s the turtles present in Mexico will be the best specimens as they have not received protection like other populations. Based off the genetic diversity and possible inbreeding of the turtles we will be able to understand the health of the species in the Eastern Pacific.