Size Matters: Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) Sea Turtle Shell and Egg Count

Jade Stetson

Co-Presenters: Individual Presentation

College: Hennings College of Science Mathematics and Technology

Major: BS.BIO/ENVIR

Faculty Research Mentor: Daniela Shebitz

Abstract:

Olive Ridley, Lepidochelys olivacea, sea turtles are currently listed as vulnerable on the IUCN red list due to the decline in their population numbers. The purpose of this study was to gather data on the turtles nesting on the beach of Ostional, Costa Rica. Researchers on the expedition worked with Bioma Travel to collect information on carapace and clutch size. The researcher hypothesized that there would be no significant changes to the carapace and clutch size of the Olive Ridley turtles. Using a five year study from 2015 by Dornfeld et al., clutch and carapace size averages from those years were compared to the new data collected in 2025. Statistical analysis using a linear regression line was used to determine the statistical significance in changes to the carapace and clutch averages. This study had shown that there was no statistical significance in the changes to these averages, meaning the population has remained stable throughout the years since 2009 despite the varying environmental changes throughout the years.