Sex Determination in Green Turtle Hatchlings: Geometric Morphometry and Molecular Sex Markers

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Determination of the sex ratio in sea turtle population is one of the most important parameters for the conservation and management of the species. We aimed to the test usability of the more than one approaches that identify the sex of hatchlings with alternative non-invasive methods. Geometric morphometry and molecular sex marker were used to indicate difference between the sexes in the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) hatchlings which sexes were previously determined by gonad histology. A total of 60 landmarks were identified from three body parts (carapace, plastron and tail) for geometric morphometry. No sex specific difference was found in these three body parts. Furthermore, we analyzed a total of 55 different oligonucleotide combinations using sex-based pool strategy but found no difference. These two techniques are insufficient for sex determination in the green turtle hatchlings. A relatively small number of the primer combinations and male hatchlings used to identify sex of C. mydas appears to be a disadvantage. In order to obtain clearer results with geometric morphometric and molecular sex markers, it is recommended to compare sexes in laboratory conditions with constant temperature.