MASCULINIZATION OF LEATHERBACK TURTLE DERMOCHELYS-CORIACEA HATCHLINGS FROM EGGS INCUBATED IN STYROFOAM BOXES

A masculinizing bias was found in the sex ratio of hatchling leatherback sea turtles Dermochelys coriacea from eggs incubated artificially in styrofoam boxes, when compared with the natural sex ratio in Surinam. This bias is much larger than that reported for green turtles. Boxes failed to produce any females at all during 2 thermally different times of the season, while natural sex ratios varied seasonally with averages of 30% female for clutches laid in May and 100% female for clutches laid in June. These findings are consistent with the boxes being 1.4-2.4.degree. C cooler than the sand. Clutches reburied in the sand produced the same sex ratio as natural nests. Some options for the use of styrofoam boxes in sea turtle conservation programs are discussed.