| Polyandry is a common reproductive strategy in many animals, including various species of sea turtles. In many species, it appears the benefits of polyandry are not observable material benefits but instead genetic benefits, which can enhance reproductive success of the animal. A positive correlation has also been found among population density and instances of multiple paternity in several species of animals. Polyandry in the leatherback sea turtle has not been widely studied, thus it is unclear as to whether these turtles do indeed receive genetic benefits from multiple paternity. Polyandry was examined in the leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) nesting at Matura Beach, Trinidad. DNA samples were taken from 40 adult leatherback females and 148 hatchlings, and 10 nests were analyzed. Allele frequency distribution was analyzed using three microsatellite markers. In two out of ten (20%) of nests examined, the null hypothesis of singular paternity was rejected. A minimum of three fathers were estimated for both of these nests. Consistent with the heavy population density at Matura Beach, instances of multiple paternity were higher than that found among leatherbacks at other beaches, although this was not statistically significant. This is the first known study examining multiple paternity among leatherbacks nesting in Trinidad, and should help provide a better understanding of the mating system of this endangered species. |
