Mixed‐stock aging analysis reveals variable sea turtle maturity rates in a recovering population

Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the eastern Pacific Ocean exhibit variable maturity rates, with females from Michoacán, Mexico, reaching sexual maturity at a younger age (~17 years) and smaller size compared to those from the Revillagigedo Islands (~30 years). This divergence suggests that anthropogenic pressures, such as historical harvesting, may have accelerated maturation in some subpopulations. Researchers used skeletochronology to analyze growth rates and life-history traits in 65 turtles, revealing that smaller body sizes correlate with earlier maturity. The study also highlights the importance of protecting nearshore habitats where young turtles (4–6 years old) transition from oceanic to neritic environments, emphasizing the need for variable maturation time in population recovery assessments.

Turner Tomaszewicz, C. N., Avens, L., LaCasella, E. L., Eguchi, T., Dutton, P. H., LeRoux, R. A., & Seminoff, J. A. (2022). Mixed‐stock aging analysis reveals variable sea turtle maturity rates in a recovering population. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 86(4). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22217