Food intake and conversion in hatchlings of olive ridley Lepidochelys olivacea fed animal and plant food

Abstract

Effect of starvation, onset of feeding after emergence, food preferencc.food intake, absorption and conversjon have been studied in hatchlings of olive lidhy, Leptdochelys olivacea, fed clam meat (Meretriz casta), sea grass (Hallophilla sp.) and a combination of both, reared individually and in groups. The hatchlings started feeding only on the 6th day after emergence even though they had free access to both animal and plant food. Absorption efficiency in terms of calories and protein was higher than that for dry matter in both animal and plant fed hatchlings. Conversion efficiency (Ki) was maximum in ad libitum clam fed hatchlings viz.,23,lS±2.i54% (dry matter); 25,13 ± 0.24% (calories) and 26.38 ± 1.52% (protein). The hatchlings converted calories and protein more efficiently than dry matter of food. Metabolic rate of the hatchlings was also calculated using food intake-conversion values. Survival rates of hatchlings starved from the time of emergence were also estimated. The study indicated that olive ridley hatchlings are obligatory carnivores and may not have the 'digestive climate' to utilize plant food exclusively. Size hierarchy effects observed in the course of group rearing has also been discussed in detail.