SEASONAL REPRODUCTIVE-CYCLE OF THE KEMPS RIDLEY SEA-TURTLE (LEPIDOCHELYS-KEMPI)

The seasonal reproductive cycle of the Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepid ochelys kempi) was studied under seminatural conditions at the Cayman Turtle Farm, Grand Cayman, British West Indies, from June 1987 to July 1988. Male L. kempi displayed a prenuptial rise in serum testosterone 4 to 5 months prior to the mating period (March). Male testosterone t hen declined sharply during the mating period. Female L. kempi also di splayed a prenuptial rise in serum testosterone, estradiol. and total calcium 4 to 6 months prior to the mating period (March). Female testo sterone and estradiol declined during the nesting period (April to Jul y) immediately following the mating period (March). Elevated levels in female estradiol and total calcium corresponded with the period of vi tellogenesis as determined from gel electrophoresis and ultrasonograph y. Serum thyroxine also fluctuated seasonally with elevated levels obs erved in females associated with the period of vitellogenesis. L. kemp i displayed a distinct seasonal reproductive cycle in captivity. Nesti ng in the captive study group corresponded with nesting in the wild po pulation at Rancho Nuevo, Mexico (April to July). Female endocrine cyc les during the nesting period were similar to those observed in the wi ld population. (C) 1998 Academic Press.