All species of sea turtle are either endangered or threatened. Those concerned with the conservation of sea turtles are strongly interested in the behavior of these animals. Drs. Mellgren and Mann will conduct exploratory research on the behavioral capacities of hatchling green and hawksbill sea turtles that are being "head-started" in a conservation project in Quintana Roo, Mexico. Experiments on diet selection, learning, and species and kin recognition will be carried out at the turtles' natal beach. The research will be done in cooperation with Mexican biologists involved in the conservation project. Information gained in this research will be important for understanding reptilian function in general and marine turtles in particular. Efforts to conserve sea turtles will benefit from a better understanding of the basic processes governing their behavior.
