Introduction

In order to make effective management decisions and improve
current conservation projects on nesting beaches, it is important to
accurately estimate population size, population structure, and reproductive
behavior. In populations where polyandry occurs, multiple
paternity influences the effective population size (Sugg and Chesser,
1994) and the genetic variability within a population (Baer and
Schmid-Hempel, 1999). Multiple paternity studies yield valuable
information regarding mating patterns, and help in understanding
population structure (Jensen et al., 2006). Recent studies have shown
evidence of multiple paternity in all sea turtle species: green (Chelonia
midas) (FitzSimmons, 1998; Lee and Hays, 2004), loggerhead (Caretta
caretta) (Moore and Ball, 2002; Zbinden et al., 2007b), leatherback
(Dermochelys coriacea) (Crim et al., 2002; Stewart and Dutton, 2011),
hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) (Joseph and Shaw, 2011), flatback
(Natator depressus) (Theissinger et al., 2009), olive ridley (Lepidochelys
olivacea) (Hoeckert et al., 1996; Jensen et al., 2006) and Kemp's ridley
(Lepidochelys kempi) (Kichler et al., 1999),with high inter- and intraspecific
variability (Uller and Olsson, 2008). In the case of olive ridleys,
Jensen et al. (2006) showed that multiple paternity strongly depends
on reproductive patterns, with arribada nesters showing much higher
rates than solitary nesters. They suggested that the frequency of multiple
paternity depends primarily on the abundance of individuals in the
mating system, and calculated the relationship between population size
and multiple paternity levels for the genus Lepidochelys.