Open research questions in Turtle Biology and Conservation

What the literature leaves open

• The absence of a fully annotated G. elegans proteome limited the study. Single-time-point blood sampling limited the temporal resolution of the study. The small sample size may reduce the statistical power for rare protein detection.

  Systems-Level Proteomic and Biochemical Profiling of Plasma from Captive Indian Star Tortoise with Reactome Pathway Enrichment Analysis · 2026 · DOI

• There is a lack of understanding of the physiological and molecular health indicators of the Indian star tortoise. There is a need to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers for the species. Prior studies have not analyzed plasma proteome profiles and biochemical parameters in captive Indian star tortoises.

  Systems-Level Proteomic and Biochemical Profiling of Plasma from Captive Indian Star Tortoise with Reactome Pathway Enrichment Analysis · 2026 · DOI

• However, little is known about its nesting habits in these environments, information that would help to understand and support its urban resilience.

  Nesting ecology of Chelodina longicollis in stormwater ponds, Australian Capital Territory, Australia · 2026 · DOI

• Burrowing is a widespread thermoregulatory strategy among ectotherms, yet the spatial and temporal scales by which burrows buffer organisms from thermal extremes remain poorly quantified.

  Position Within the Burrow and Behavioral Thermoregulation Jointly Shape Thermal Lability in a Fossorial Ectotherm · 2026 · DOI

• However, gut microbiological trait similarities between wild and artificially bred green turtles remain unexplored.

  Comparison of the intestinal flora of wild and artificial breeding green turtles (Chelonia mydas) · 2024 · DOI

• While many reports exist describing wildlife associated with alligator nests, no studies have quantified faunal associates and their corresponding behaviors while visiting nests.

  Fauna Associated with American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) Nests in Coastal South Carolina, USA · 2024 · DOI

• The period between their leaving and their returning to natal areas, known as the "Lost Years", is poorly understood.

  Novel Microsatellite Tags Hold Promise for Illuminating the Lost Years in Four Sea Turtle Species · 2024 · DOI

• The study faced challenges in analyzing the environmental factors that may have contributed to the speed of recovery. The paper highlights the challenges of implementing effective conservation strategies. The study faced challenges in balancing the needs of conservation efforts with the needs of hunting and other human activities.

  Applying PECBMS data in conservation: the Turtle Dove population decline, adaptive management, and recovery · 2026 · DOI

• The study identifies a research gap in the analysis of environmental factors that may have contributed to the speed of recovery. The paper highlights the need for further research on the impact of other external causes on the population decline.

  Applying PECBMS data in conservation: the Turtle Dove population decline, adaptive management, and recovery · 2026 · DOI

• The study identifies the challenge of habitat degradation and loss of nesting beaches due to coastal development and tourism. The study highlights the challenge of climate change and its impact on marine turtle conservation. The study mentions the challenge of implementing effective conservation strategies and the need for applied training and interdisciplinary collaboration.

  Academic Perceptions of Sea Turtle Conservation in Sinaloa, Mexico: Evidence from an Exploratory Factor Analysis · 2026 · DOI

• There is a need to understand the perception of academics regarding marine turtle conservation in Sinaloa, Mexico. The study identifies a gap in the implementation of conservation strategies and the need for applied training and interdisciplinary collaboration.

  Academic Perceptions of Sea Turtle Conservation in Sinaloa, Mexico: Evidence from an Exploratory Factor Analysis · 2026 · DOI

• Further study is needed to understand the migration patterns and habitat use of turtles in the region. The use of new technologies, such as drone surveillance, could be explored to monitor turtles. Continued monitoring and protection of marine habitats is necessary to conserve sea turtle populations.

  Regionally important developmental foraging grounds for green turtles and hawksbills in the Southwest Indian Ocean · 2026 · DOI

• Long-term in-water population monitoring programs for sea turtles in Southwest Indian Ocean foraging grounds should investigate the ecological roles and functional contributions of different life stages (subadults, adults) to inform population recovery targets and conservation strategies beyond simple abundance metrics.

  Regionally important developmental foraging grounds for green turtles and hawksbills in the Southwest Indian Ocean · 2026 · DOI

• High energetic cost of reproduction in sea turtles. Unsuccessful nesting activities are common in green turtles. Conservation efforts are needed to protect green turtle populations.

  Drivers of unsuccessful nesting activities in East Pacific green turtles (Chelonia mydas) · 2026 · DOI

• There is a need to understand the drivers of unsuccessful nesting activities in green turtles. Previous studies have not fully explored the effects of environmental and non-environmental drivers on nesting outcomes.

  Drivers of unsuccessful nesting activities in East Pacific green turtles (Chelonia mydas) · 2026 · DOI

• The study had a limited sample size. The experiment was conducted in a controlled environment, which may not reflect natural conditions. The study did not investigate other factors that may influence social cohesion, such as age or size.

  Sex, not familiarity, shapes social interactions in adult captive tortoises (Testudo hermanni) · 2026 · DOI

• Future studies could investigate the effects of age and size on social cohesion in tortoises. Research could explore the implications of the findings for conservation efforts and captive management. The study suggests the need for further research on the social behavior of solitary species.

  Sex, not familiarity, shapes social interactions in adult captive tortoises (Testudo hermanni) · 2026 · DOI

• There is a lack of information on the physical conditions and sex ratios of freshwater turtles in captivity. There is a need for innovative techniques for marking and evaluating physical characteristics of turtles.

  BIOMETRIC EVALUATION OF FRESHWATER TURTLES IN LOS RÍOS REGION IN SOUTHEASTERN MEXICO · 2026 · DOI

• simulation-only study, - use of a specific model (SODA), - limited to a particular species (loggerhead sea turtles)

  Simulating 135 years of post-hatchling sea turtle dispersal in a dynamic North Atlantic Ocean · 2026 · DOI

• further study on the importance of first-year survival relative to other life history parameters, - examination of interaction effects among parameters, - investigation of the relationship between climate indices and particle fates

  Simulating 135 years of post-hatchling sea turtle dispersal in a dynamic North Atlantic Ocean · 2026 · DOI

• Sample sizes are limited. Data are preliminary and should be considered cautious. Interpretation of results should be cautious due to small sample size.

  High Early Embryo Mortality and Low Hatching Success Observed in Aldabra Giant Tortoise Populations · 2026 · DOI

• More detailed monitoring of hatching success, fertilisation rates, and recruitment is needed. Further research should investigate the causes of embryo mortality and its impact on population dynamics.

  High Early Embryo Mortality and Low Hatching Success Observed in Aldabra Giant Tortoise Populations · 2026 · DOI

• The taxonomic identity of the Yellow River softshell turtle has remained uncertain. Previous studies have not provided a clear understanding of the taxonomic status of the Yellow River softshell turtle.

  Integrative evidence resolves the taxonomic identity of the Yellow River softshell turtle previously assigned to Pelodiscus sinensis (Wiegmann, 1834) · 2026 · DOI

• The review is limited to publications from 1960 to 2025. The eligibility criteria may have excluded some relevant studies.

  Assessing the impacts of urban development and tourism on sea turtles and their habitat: a systematic review · 2026 · DOI

• There is a need for harmonized, operational indicators that integrate ecological, technological, and socio-environmental dimensions. The current indicators used to quantify the impacts of urban development and tourism on sea turtles are fragmented and inconsistent.

  Assessing the impacts of urban development and tourism on sea turtles and their habitat: a systematic review · 2026 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Turtle Biology and Conservation

• Where Have All the Turtles Gone, and Why Does It Matter? · BioScience · 2018 · 352 citations
• Impacts of fisheries bycatch on marine turtle populations worldwide: toward conservation and research priorities · Ecosphere · 2013 · 226 citations
• A review of marine mammal, sea turtle and seabird bycatch in USA fisheries and the role of policy in shaping management · Marine Policy · 2008 · 160 citations
• Why Do Turtles Live So Long? · BioScience · 1987 · 143 citations
• Large-scale movements and high-use areas of western Pacific leatherback turtles,Dermochelys coriacea · Ecosphere · 2011 · 121 citations
• Marine turtle regional management units 2.0: an updated framework for conservation and research of wide-ranging megafauna species · Endangered Species Research · 2023 · 116 citations
• What is a basic factor and which factors are basic? Turtles all the way down · Personality and Individual Differences · 1992 · 101 citations
• Local Conservation Practice and Global Discourse: A Political Ecology of Sea Turtle Conservation · Annals of the Association of American Geographers · 2007 · 98 citations
• Conservation implications of sea turtle nesting trends: elusive recovery of a globally important loggerhead population · Ecosphere · 2019 · 97 citations
• Multiple paternity, sperm storage, and reproductive success of female and male painted turtles ( Chrysemys picta ) in nature · Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology · 2002 · 91 citations

Most recent work

• Natal homing in male green turtles (Chelonia mydas) from two neotropical islands · Frontiers in Marine Science · 2026
• An Approximation of the Reproductive Cycle of the Atrato River Slider, Trachemys medemi · Chelonian Conservation and Biology · 2026
• Underwater hearing sensitivity of the Kemp's ridley sea turtle ( Lepidochelys kempii ) · The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America · 2026
• Applying PECBMS data in conservation: the Turtle Dove population decline, adaptive management, and recovery · Environmental and Experimental Biology · 2026
• Physics-informed multi-task learning framework for modelling microplastic impacts on sea turtle nest temperature and sex determination · Marine Pollution Bulletin · 2026
• Academic Perceptions of Sea Turtle Conservation in Sinaloa, Mexico: Evidence from an Exploratory Factor Analysis · Sustainability · 2026
• Regionally important developmental foraging grounds for green turtles and hawksbills in the Southwest Indian Ocean · Marine Biology · 2026
• Retrospective Analysis of Hatchling Success From Chelonian Eggs at a North Carolina Wildlife Clinic 2010 to 2023 · Zoo Biology · 2026
• Anatomy of the skull and inner ear cavity of the North American Eocene turtle Echmatemys based on high-resolution computed tomography and its implications for the deep history of Geoemydidae (Cryptodira: Testudinoidea) · Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology · 2026
• Habitat-specific environmental characteristics are associated with the movement of male and female loggerhead sea turtles · bioRxiv · 2026

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