Study reveals nesting heat impacts sea turtle hatchling cognition
A pioneering study has found that higher temperatures during nesting affect the learning abilities of sea turtle hatchlings. Researchers demonstrated reduced cognitive performance in hatchlings from warmer nests. This research highlights potential risks from climate change to marine wildlife.
Scientists have conducted the first study to examine how heat during the nesting period influences the intelligence of sea turtle hatchlings. Published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the research focused on loggerhead sea turtles on Florida's beaches. The team, led by Dr. Jonathan Lagarde from the University of Bristol, tested 200 hatchlings from 10 nests between June and August 2023.
The experiment involved maze navigation tasks to assess orientation and learning skills. Hatchlings incubated at temperatures above 32°C showed about 20% lower performance compared to those from cooler nests around 30°C. 'This is the first study to demonstrate that incubation temperature can influence cognitive development in sea turtles,' Dr. Lagarde stated. He emphasized that warmer conditions, increasingly common due to global warming, could impair hatchlings' ability to find food and avoid predators post-hatching.
Sea turtles exhibit temperature-dependent sex determination, where nests warmer than 29.5°C produce mostly females. This study builds on that by linking heat to cognition, not just sex ratios. The researchers collected eggs from natural nests on Florida's Atlantic coast, incubated them in controlled environments mimicking field conditions, and released successful hatchlings back to the sea.
Background context includes rising ocean and sand temperatures from climate change, which have already skewed sex ratios in some populations. The study suggests that cognitive deficits could compound these pressures, potentially reducing survival rates. No direct contradictions were noted in the research, though experts call for further studies across species like green and leatherback turtles.
Implications extend to conservation efforts. Warmer nesting sites might require shaded or cooled interventions to protect hatchling development. Dr. Lagarde noted, 'As temperatures rise, we may see broader impacts on reptile intelligence worldwide.' This work underscores the need for urgent climate action to safeguard endangered species.