[Embryonic mortality and hatching rate of Trachemys scripta (Testudines: Emydidae) eggs artificially grown in a...

In the northeast of Costa Rica, illegal collecting, habitat destruction and heavy predation on adult females, young and eggs of Trachemys scripta produced a population decline in recent years. The slider turtle has a high reproductive potential and nests were relocated. Between January and March 1991, 179 nests (3220 eggs) were collected from natural areas of Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica and relocated for incubation under natural conditions in a protected site. The mean of number of eggs per clutch was 19.5 +/- 4.5 (range 8 to 31) and the mean incubation period was 77.4 +/- 11.4 days (range 50 to 110 days). The mean hatching success was 89.6 +/- 3.4% (range 60.0 to 100%). The mean early and mid embryonic mortality was 5.5 +/- 4.3%, the average late embryonic mortality was 8.5 +/- 3.5% and infertility 1.8 +/- 1.0%.