Ant predation on green turtle nests and hatchlings at Chagar Hutang, Redang Island

Abstract

In recent year, the hatching success of green turtles nest in Chagar Hutang had decreasing due to the high predation incidences by ant. From the first study of ant predation on turtle nest in Chagar Hutang in 2004 by Mr. Morita, the predation was become serious; it will lower the production of hatchling. Certainly, urgent study is needed in order to overcome the problem of ants at Chagar Hutang, Redang Island. In every, sea turtles conservation the main objective is to increase the hatching success of sea turtle nests so that it can replenish the depleted sea turtle population. Sampling was conducted from August to October 2010. Ant species were collected during nest check and preserved in 75% alcohol for species identification. A total of 60 food traps were set up on the vegetation area of Chagar Hutang in order to observe the effect of Optigard® ant gel bait on ant predation incidences. There were two ants' species; Dory/us sp and Pheidologeton sp was identified attacked green turtles nest in Chagar Hutang. Both ants were also observed attracted to the food trap. The ant predation rate during the study period was 35.0 % and most of the predation was on turtle eggs. Chagar Hutang was divided into 35 sectors, from east to west by SEATRU. Ants were present on most of the food trap in sector Oto 26, but not in sector 27 to 35.