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Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) x Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) sea turtle hybridization
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  • Brian Shamblin,
  • Hilary Frandsen,
  • Jennifer Walker,
  • Andrew Orgill,
  • Shayna Whitaker,
  • Donna Shaver
Brian Shamblin
University of Georgia
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Hilary Frandsen
National Park Service
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Jennifer Walker
National Park Service
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Andrew Orgill
University of Texas Marine Science Institute
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Shayna Whitaker
University of Texas Marine Science Institute
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Donna Shaver
National Park Service

Corresponding Author:donna_shaver@nps.gov

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Abstract

The Gulf of Mexico (GoM) supports six sea turtle species, including hawksbill (E. imbricata) and Kemp’s ridley (L. kempii), which utilize discrete areas of the GoM as developmental, foraging, migratory, and nesting habitat. Hybridization is commonly observed in sea turtles but has not been previously reported between E. imbricata and L. kempii. On 30 July 2022, a juvenile E. imbricata x L. kempii hybrid stranded near Port Aransas, Texas, USA. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first hybrid between these species to be reported in literature. The southern and western GoM waters serve as important habitat for E. imbricata and L. kempii, and future observations of hybridization between the two is likely.
02 Apr 2024Submitted to Ecology and Evolution
24 Dec 2024Submission Checks Completed
24 Dec 2024Assigned to Editor
06 Jan 2025Reviewer(s) Assigned