Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2004

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Salmon, Michael

Abstract

This study's objective was to determine if the transfer of a crawling direction to a magnetic compass in loggerhead hatchling sea turtles ( Caretta caretta L.) was facilitated by how long the turtle crawled (an "endogenous timing" component). I first determined how long it took hatchlings to crawl from their nest to the ocean. Two types of experiments were then carried out. In the first, crawling time varied. In the second, both crawling time and direction varied. I found that at most beaches hatchlings crawled to the ocean in less than 5 min. My experiments showed that if crawls are too short (1 min), or too long (5 min), vector transfer is weakened compared to a 2 min crawl. I also found that a period of non-directional crawling interfered with the ability of a 2 min crawl to promote calibration. These results confirm that efficient transfer of a crawling vector, maintained by visual compass, to a swimming vector, maintained by a magnetic compass, depends upon an endogenous timing program in hatchlings. The temporal properties of that program are, in turn, apparently shaped by where their mothers place nests on the beach.

Extent

37 p.

Comments

Charles E. Schmidt College of Science|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2004.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Charles E. Schmidt College of Science

Identifier

FADT13175

Format

pdf

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