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Age and growth rates of Hawaiian hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) using skeletochronology |
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| Authors: | Melissa L Snover George H Balazs Shawn K K Murakawa Stacy K Hargrove Marc R Rice William A Seitz |
| Institution: | 1. NOAA Fisheries, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, 2570 Dole St., Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA 5. Denali National Park and Preserve, P.O. Box 9, Milepost 237 George Parks Highway, Denali Park, AK, 99755, USA 2. Hawaii Preparatory Academy, 65-1692 Kohala Mt. Rd., Kamuela, HI, 96743, USA 3. Hawaii Island Hawksbill Turtle Recovery Project, Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit, University of Hawaii-Mānoa, P.O. Box 52, Hawaii National Park, HI, 96718, USA 4. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, P.O. Box 52, Hawaii National Park, HI, 96718, USA |
| Abstract: | The Hawaiian hawksbill population has fewer than 20 females nesting per year; hence, there is a need to monitor this population closely and basic biological information on individual growth and age to maturity is critical. We present a skeletochronology analysis of Hawaiian hawksbills using humeri recovered from 30 dead stranded hawksbills, plus 10 dead hatchlings. Growth mark morphology shows readily distinguishable marks similar in appearance to other species, though some animals displayed more diffuse marks. Growth rates remained high (average 2.24–4.77 cm year?1) from 20 to 80 cm straight carapace length (SCL). Hawksbills larger than 80 cm SCL had average growth rates of 0.3 cm year?1. There were few adult turtles in the sample; however, results indicate hawksbills have faster growth rates than loggerhead or green turtles, with probable average age to maturity (at size 78.6 cm SCL) occurring between 17 and 22 years. |
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