US EPA

2999420 

Journal Article 

Why are hatching and emergence success low? Mercury and selenium concentrations in nesting leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) and their young in Florida 

Perrault, J; Wyneken, J; Thompson, LJ; Johnson, C; Miller, DL 

2011 

1 

Marine Pollution Bulletin
ISSN: 0025-326X
EISSN: 1879-3363 

Elsevier B.V., P.O. Box 800 Kidlington Oxford OX5 1DX United Kingdom 

1879-3363 

62 

8 

1671-1682 

English 

21722926 

10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.06.009 

WOS:000294039000024 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X1100333X
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Leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) have low hatching and emergence success compared to other sea turtle species. Postmortem examinations of hatchlings showed degeneration of heart and skeletal muscle that was similar to that found in other neonates with selenium deficient mothers. Selenium deficiency can result from elevated concentrations of bodily mercury. Ingested mercury is detoxified by the liver through mercury-selenium compound formation. In animals persistently exposed to mercury, the liver's ability to detoxify this element may decrease, especially if dietary selenium is insufficient. We measured mercury and selenium concentrations in nesting female leatherbacks and their hatchlings from Florida and compared the levels to hatching and emergence success. Both liver selenium and the liver selenium-to-mercury ratio positively correlated with leatherback hatching and emergence success. This study provides the first evidence for the roles of mercury and selenium in explaining low reproductive success in a globally imperiled species, the leatherback sea turtle. 

Dermochelys coriacea; Hatching success; Emergence success; Hatchling; Mercury (Hg); Selenium (Se); Marine turtles