Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination in the Diamond-backed Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin)
Most Emydidae, including Diamond-backed Terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin), have temperature-dependent sex determination. However, the full relationship between incubation temperature and offspring sex in the Diamond-backed Terrapin has not been reported, and the pivotal temperature, range of transitional temperatures, and the temperature-sensitive period have not been investigated fully. Here we report on these parameters, comparing our data with data from other emydid turtles, and also comparing our laboratory data to field data collected previously for this population. La mayoría de Emydidae, incluyendo a las Diamond-backed Terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin), tienen determinación de sexo por temperatura. Sin embargo, la relación entre temperatura de incubacion y sexo de crías en el Diamond-backed Terrapin no ha sido reportada, ni el umbral de temperatura ni el período sensible a la temperatura han sido investigados. Aquí reportamos ambos fenómenos y los compararmos con otras Emydidae, asi como con datos de campo de ésta población previamente colectados.Abstract
Resumen
Shift experiments with 25°C baselines, indicating shift periods and resulting sex ratios (male:female).
Shift experiments with 31°C baselines, indicating shift periods and resulting sex ratios (male:female).
Relationship between constant incubation temperature and offspring sex (percentage of males) in the Diamond-backed Terrapin. Plotted points indicate actual data; curves indicate the Hill equation (dashed line) fit to data bracketed by confidence interval of 2 SDs (solid lines).
Contributor Notes
