Ontogeny of energetics in leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) and olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtle hatchlings

Changes in activity related oxygen consumption were measured in leatherback and olive ridley sea turtle hatchlings over their first month after emergence from the nest. Leatherbacks emerged with 75–90 KJ of energy in the residual yolk for growth and activity whereas olive ridleys emerged with 45 KJ. In leatherbacks (n = 8), resting mass-specific oxygen consumption rates decreased by 53% over the first post–hatching month (0.34 + 0.03 mL O2 h− 1 g− 1 to 0.16 + 0.01 mL O2 h− 1 g− 1, respectively), while for ridleys (n = 8) the fall was 35% (0.20 + 0.03 mL O2 h− 1 g− 1 to 0.13 + 0.01 mL O2 h− 1 g− 1, respectively). Olive ridley factorial aerobic scope doubled (1.93 + 0.30 to 3.97 + 0.51) over the first month but there was no significant increase in leatherback factorial aerobic scope (1.39 + 0.21 to 1.60 + 0.13). Leatherback hatchlings gained on average 20% initial body mass (7.68 + 1.66 g) over the first week, with 70 to 80% of this increase due to water accumulation. Olive ridleys gained 14% (1.83 + 0.16 g) in initial mass over the first week of age. We propose that the differences in aerobic scope and energy reserves are related to differences in early life ecological stratagems of these species.