Mar Biol (2007) 151:1743–1749 DOI 10.1007/s00227-007-0607-2 123 RESEARCH ARTICLE Emergence pattern of loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) hatchlings from Kyparissia Bay, Greece Victoria Adam · Carlos Tur · Alan F. Rees · Jesús Tomás Received: 19 September 2006 / Accepted: 4 January 2007 / Published online: 19 January 2007  Springer-Verlag 2007 Abstract The present study describes the emergence pattern of loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings (Caretta caretta) from a nesting beach in Kyparissia Bay (Greece). We try to establish the role played by hatch- ling biometry, nest relocation and distance from nest to the sea on this emergence pattern. We surveyed a total of 32 nests, and found long emergence periods (mean = 6.7 nights). The majority of emergences occurred at night, mainly between 0030 and 0100 hours, and in small groups. Most of the hatchlings emerged from the nests the Wrst night. We found no clear trend when we studied the eVect of hatchling biometry between successive emergence days. We also found that relocation of the nests did not signiWcantly aVect the emergence pattern. However, we noted that in the relocated nests, hatchlings emerged in smaller groups. Emergence periods were inversely related to distance from the sea. In short, factors such as climate condi- tions, relocation and nest distance to the sea appear to have some eVect on the emergence pattern. Therefore, they should be taken into account in both biological studies and management plans for sea turtle nesting beaches. Our results suggest leaving an extended period between the Wrst emergence of hatchlings and the excavation of nests by researchers in future studies in the area. Introduction The loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) is a globally endangered species (MTSG 1996). SigniWcant resources are currently devoted to numerous conservation and management projects at loggerhead nesting areas. One of most important and costly activities in management projects is the monitoring of beaches to protect nests and hatchlings from anthropogenic threats, such as arti- Wcial light sources, and ensure a high hatching success and safe arrival of hatchlings to the sea. Richardson (1999) remarks that a complete study of all aspects related to nesting biology is essential for the selection and application of adequate management measures for the conservation of sea turtle popula- tions. One of these measures is the relocation of clutches from their original location to another place in the same beach or elsewhere. Boulon (1999) lists some circumstances in which relocation is adequate in order to mitigate some threats that reduce hatchling success. However, nest relocation can have a detrimental eVect, even when undertaken with a proper technique. Relo- cation of clutches may aVect the natural incubation conditions, thus modifying the emergence rates of hatchlings from the nest and the timing of these emer- gences, with negative consequences to their survivor- ship (Glen et al. 2005). Traditionally, it was thought that almost all hatch- lings emerged together from the nests en masse. Communicated by S.A. Poulet. V. Adam · C. Tur Av. Cid 52-3, 46018 Valencia, Spain A. F. Rees ARCHELON, The Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece, Solomou 57, 104 32 Athens, Greece J. Tomás (&) Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, P.O. Box 22085, 46071 Valencia, Spain e-mail: jesus.tomas@uv.es