Investigation of sex-based hatchling morphology of green sea turtle(Chelonia mydas L.,1758) hatchlings emerging from nests with different nest characteristics on akyatan nesting beach

The sex ratio of sea turtles is an important parameter for population dynamics. However, in sea turtles, it is difficult to determine the sex of the hatchlings, and researchers use different techniques to measure sex ratios in hatchling populations. In this thesis, it has been tested whether there are significant differences between the hatchlings at different temperatures, nest depths and nest distances to the sea by classical morphometry and geometric morphometry analysis. A total of 140 hatchlings were studied by measurement of 11 characters for classical morphometry and 48 landmark on carapace and plastorn body regions for geometric morphometry analysis. The data obtained in this way were tested with multiple variance analysis (MANOVA), discriminant function analysis (DFA) and principal component analysis (PCA). As a result of classical morphometry and geometric morphometry analyzes, hatchlings at different nest temperatures, nest depths and nest distances to the sea did not differentiate from each other. Among the reasons for this may be that the hatchlings in nests with different nest characteristics do not represent the correct sex, or there is no morphological difference between the hatchling of nests with different nest characteristics. It may be recommended to plan new studies with controlled experiments and more sample.