Insects and mites infestation on eggs and hatchlings of the nile soft-shelled turtle, trionyx triunguis, in kükürtlü lake (turkey)

Abstract

The damage caused by insect and mites to eggs and hatchlings of Nile Soft-shelled Turtles, Trionyx triunguis, was investigated during the 2002 and 2003 nesting seasons in Kükürtlü Lake (Dalaman, Turkey). The greatest impact on turtle nests was recorded by Muscidae and Tenebrionidae. Tenebrionids affected 33%, and Muscidae 52%, of the 58 intact Nile Soft-shelled Turtles nests studied. The number of Tenebrionidae found in turtle nests decreased with their distance from vegetation. Hatchling success of nests without insect infestation was found to be statistically higher than of uninfested nests. © 2007 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.