Hawksbill turtle ( Eretmochelys imbricata) eggs and matchlings in Malacca : morphometric and heavy metal analysis

Abstract

A study on the hawksbill turtle eggs and hatchlings was conducted from June to October, 2007 in Malacca. A total of 28 nests incubated in the beach hatchery (n = 14) and styrofoam box (n = 14) were monitored every night for hatchlings emergence and the incubation period. Measurements of hatchlings (n = 20 per clutch) produced from those 28 nests were also taken. T-test analysis showed no significant difference between beach hatchery and styrofoam box for the incubation period and hatchlings size. Hawks bill eggs from Malacca had an average diameter of 23. 3 cm while average straight carapace length and width and body weight of hatchlings were 3.93cm and 2.96 cm, and 13 .1 g respectively. Regression analysis showed a positive correlation between size of eggs with hatchlings size and mass. Concentration of heavy metal (Cd, Cu, Hg, Mn, Pb and Zn μg/g wet wt.) in hawksbill fresh eggs were also analyzed in this study. All the value (μgig wet wt.) of these metals (Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn) was lower than the permissible limits set by Malaysian Food Regulation (1985) except for Hg. On the other hand, the mean concentrations of heavy metals in fresh and unhatched eggs showed no significant differences in this study. Thus, a non-killing method of heavy metal monitoring using un-hatched turtle eggs can be implemented in further study.