Does time in the harvesting containers affect Caiman latirostris eggs hatchability?

PIÑA, C.I.; SIMONCINI, M.; SIROSKI, P.; LARRIERA, A.

MonteLimar

Congreso; 18th Working Meeting of IUCN-SSC Crocodile Apecialist Group; 2006

Crocodile Specialist Group - UICN

For a Ranching operation the cost of harvesting and feeding the animals are essential. Low cost, and safer transport, of eggs from the field to the incubator would help to attain commercial feasibility of these projects. Trying to improve harvesting efficiency, we tested if harvested eggs could stay for longer periods of time within the containers without reducing hatching success. We maintained eggs collected by ‘gauchos’ within the harvesting containers for different time periods (up to one day; from two days up to seven days, and more than a week), in the gauchos houses, simulating the same procedure as we harvesting the eggs commercially. We found no effect of the time within the containers on hatching success. This result will allow gauchos, involved in the program, to harvest eggs on their first visit to the nest reducing the chances of losing eggs by being depredated or flooded.