Does variation in soil water content induce variation in the size of hatchling snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina)?

Published source details Finkler M.S. (2006) Does variation in soil water content induce variation in the size of hatchling snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina)?. Copeia, 2006, 769-777.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

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	Relocate nests/eggs for artificial incubation: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles Action Link

Relocate nests/eggs for artificial incubation: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles

A randomized study in laboratory conditions in Indiana University, Kokomo, USA (Finkler 2006) found that snapping turtle Chelydra serpentine eggs artificial incubated in substrate with higher moisture levels had higher hatching success up to a threshold, after which hatching success was lower. Snapping turtle eggs artificially incubated in 9% and 7% soil moisture had the highest hatching success (7%: 14 of 20 eggs hatched; 9% 16 of 20 eggs hatched) compared to lower soil moisture levels (3%: 9 of 20; 5%: 10 of 20 eggs hatched) or higher soil moisture levels (11%: 9 of 20; 12% 8 of 20 eggs hatched). Survivorship of hatchlings was significantly lower in at 13% moisture level compared to 7% or 9% moisture level (data presented as statistical model outputs). Freshly laid eggs were collected from the wild in June 2002 (120 total eggs from six clutches). Eggs were incubated under one of six soil moisture conditions: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13% water content (two nest boxes of 10 eggs/moisture level). Eggs were buried to 3 cm depth in the soil and incubated at 25°C.

(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)