Intraspecific application of the mid-domain effect model: spatial and temporal nest distributions of green turtles, Chelonia mydas, at Tortuguero, Costa Rica

Manjula Tiwari, Karen A. Bjorndal,* Alan B. Bolten and Benjamin M. Bolker Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research and Department of Zoology, University of Florida, PO Box 118525, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA *Correspondence: E-mail: [email protected] Abstract The mid-domain effect (MDE) model was developed to evaluate patterns of species richness. We applied the MDE model to intraspecific distribution patterns – the spatial and temporal nest distributions of green turtles, Chelonia mydas, at Tortuguero, Costa Rica, from 1972 to 2000. Spatial and temporal distributions of green turtle nests at Tortuguero did not exhibit significant annual variation over this time period. The spatial and temporal distribution of nests largely conformed to the predictions of the MDE model, although the spatial model has a better fit. Environmental factors that may cause deviations from the MDE model are discussed. The model also indirectly provided a first estimate of the mean spatial nesting range of individual green turtles at Tortuguero: 10.1 km (SD 8.7 km). The MDE model provides insight into intraspecific as well as interspecific distribution patterns.