Estimating sex ratios of loggerhead turtles in Brazil from pivotal incubation durations

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. 755-770 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Ângela Marcovaldi ◽  
Matthew H. Godfrey ◽  
N. Mrosovsky
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Sexual Differentiation ◽  
Sex Ratios ◽  
Caretta Caretta ◽  
Temperature Dependent ◽  
Loggerhead Turtles ◽  
Biased Sex Ratio ◽  
Nesting Beaches

A method of estimating natural sex ratios of hatchlings of species with temperature-dependent sexual differentiation from data on incubation durations is described. The method was applied to loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) nesting in Brazil. Data on incubation durations were collected from 11 nesting beaches monitored for up to six seasons. It was estimated that 82.5% of the loggerhead hatchlings produced were female. The strongly female-biased sex ratio in Brazil is similar to that found previously for loggerheads using beaches in the eastern U.S.A. This suggests that a female-biased hatchling sex ratio may be a feature of loggerhead populations.

Sex ratio of hatchling loggerhead sea turtles: data and estimates from a 5-year study

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 530-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Mrosovsky ◽  
Jane Provancha
Keyword(s):  
Global Warming ◽  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Sea Turtles ◽  
Sex Ratios ◽  
Caretta Caretta ◽  
Loggerhead Sea Turtles ◽  
Loggerhead Turtles ◽  
Biased Sex Ratio ◽  
Nesting Season

Hatchling loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) were collected over three nesting seasons from a rookery at Cape Canaveral, Florida. From data on the distribution of nests over the season, we estimated that 92.6–96.7, 94.7–99.9, and 87.0–89.0% of the hatchlings produced on this beach in 1986, 1987, and 1988, respectively, were females. These skewed sex ratios were consistent with the fact that for most of the season, sand temperatures were above the pivotal level for loggerhead turtles. The present results show that the female-biased sex ratio reported previously by these authors for the 1986 nesting season at this site was not an isolated, atypical event. In addition to a total of 3 years of sampling for sex ratio, measurements of beach temperatures at the depth of turtle nests were extended to cover 5 years. These temperatures were commonly above the pivotal level. The strongly female-biased hatchling sex ratio found in this population of loggerhead turtles poses theoretical challenges. It may also complicate conservation efforts, since global warming might be expected to skew the sex ratio still further toward females.

Validation of incubation duration as an index of the sex ratio of hatchling sea turtles

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (5) ◽  
pp. 831-835 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Mrosovsky ◽  
Cecília Baptistotte ◽  
Matthew H Godfrey
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
High Temperatures ◽  
Low Temperatures ◽  
Sea Turtles ◽  
Sex Ratios ◽  
Caretta Caretta ◽  
Turtle Species ◽  
Loggerhead Turtles ◽  
Incubation Duration

One method of estimating the sex ratio of hatchling sea turtles is to use the incubation duration. Long and short durations imply low and high temperatures, respectively. In turtle species whose sex is determined by temperature, males are produced at low temperatures and females at high temperatures. This study assesses the validity of using incubation duration to estimate the sex ratio. Samples of hatchling loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) were collected from nests with known incubation durations, and sex was ascertained by means of histology. The sex ratio of groups of nests determined by histology was compared with that predicted from previous relationships between incubation duration and sex ratio. For conditions causing relatively long or relatively short incubation durations, the sex ratio could be predicted with considerable accuracy. For conditions causing durations nearer to the pivotal duration (that which gives 50% of each sex), predictions could be off by 10%, depending on the distribution of incubation durations, but it was still possible to determine whether ratios were highly skewed or approximately balanced. Estimating sex ratios of hatchling sea turtles from incubation durations is simple, cheap, and can be used retrospectively.

Male-Biased Sex Ratio of Adult-Sized Loggerhead Turtles (Caretta caretta) Migrating to High-Latitude Summer-Restricted Foraging Grounds in the Northwest Pacific1

2020 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shohei Kobayashi ◽  
Takuya Fukuoka ◽  
Chihiro Kinoshita ◽  
Katsufumi Sato ◽  
Katsuhiko Arai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
High Latitude ◽  
Caretta Caretta ◽  
Loggerhead Turtles ◽  
Biased Sex Ratio

scholarly journals The sex ratio of wild Chinese alligators Alligator sinensis

2013 ◽  
Vol 59 (6) ◽  
pp. 725-731 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lan Zhao ◽  
Hai-Qiong Yang ◽  
Li-Ming Fang ◽  
Guo-Liang Pan ◽  
Wei-Qiang Zou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Sex Ratios ◽  
Temperature Dependent ◽  
Sex Structure ◽  
Ratio Data ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Biased Sex Ratio ◽  
Alligator Sinensis ◽  
Two Populations

Abstract The Chinese alligator Alligator sinensis is one of the most endangered crocodilian species, and typically exhibits temperature-dependent sex determination. It is extremely important to clarify the sex structure of Chinese alligators to implement recovery projects successfully. However, the sex ratio of wild Chinese alligators remains unknown. In this study, we collected 28 years of sex ratio data from Chinese alligators residing in the natural and artificial habitats of Changxing Nature Reserve, China, and examined the differences in the sex ratio dynamics between these two populations. We observed that the sex ratio of wild Chinese alligators is 1 male to 4.507 females, which was significantly lower compared to that of the captive population (1 to 2.040; P < 0.001), and is significantly different to previously documented sex ratios for this species (all P < 0.01). Furthermore, we documented an annually stable (P = 1.000) female-biased sex ratio for wild alligators at hatching [1 male to 4.747 females; 0.174 (0.167–0.182)], in contrast to a dramatically fluctuating sex ratio (P < 0.001) in captivity [1 male to 1.674 females; 0.374 (0.246–0.593)], showing a potential mechanism for adjusting the sex structure. Finally, we found that the hatchling sex ratios were similar to that of the population sex ratio (P = 0.748), with little correlation to air temperature values in the 60–70 day incubation period during the breeding season (July and August; both P > 0.05). Overall, this study indicates that the stabilized female-biased sex ratio of Changxing Chinese alligators might result from selection pressure caused by local mate competition and major inbreeding.

scholarly journals Does sex-ratio selection influence nest-site choice in a reptile with temperature-dependent sex determination?

2013 ◽  
Vol 280 (1772) ◽  
pp. 20132460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy S. Mitchell ◽  
Jessica A. Maciel ◽  
Fredric J. Janzen
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Sex Determination ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Sex Ratios ◽  
Temperature Dependent ◽  
Dioecious Species ◽  
Offspring Sex Ratio ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Offspring Sex ◽  
Nest Site Choice

Evolutionary theory predicts that dioecious species should produce a balanced primary sex ratio maintained by frequency-dependent selection. Organisms with environmental sex determination, however, are vulnerable to maladaptive sex ratios, because environmental conditions vary spatio-temporally. For reptiles with temperature-dependent sex determination, nest-site choice is a behavioural maternal effect that could respond to sex-ratio selection, as mothers could adjust offspring sex ratios by choosing nest sites that will have particular thermal properties. This theoretical prediction has generated decades of empirical research, yet convincing evidence that sex-ratio selection is influencing nesting behaviours remains absent. Here, we provide the first experimental evidence from nature that sex-ratio selection, rather than only viability selection, is probably an important component of nest-site choice in a reptile with temperature-dependent sex determination. We compare painted turtle ( Chrysemys picta ) neonates from maternally selected nest sites with those from randomly selected nest sites, observing no substantive difference in hatching success or survival, but finding a profound difference in offspring sex ratio in the direction expected based on historical records. Additionally, we leverage long-term data to reconstruct our sex ratio results had the experiment been repeated in multiple years. As predicted by theory, our results suggest that sex-ratio selection has shaped nesting behaviour in ways likely to enhance maternal fitness.

scholarly journals Cooperative interactions among females and even more extraordinary sex ratios

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryosuke Iritani ◽  
Stuart A West ◽  
Jun Abe
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Sex Ratios ◽  
Structured Populations ◽  
Local Mate Competition ◽  
Mate Competition ◽  
Wasp Species ◽  
Cooperative Interactions ◽  
Competition Theory ◽  
Local Mate ◽  
Biased Sex Ratio

AbstractHamilton’s local mate competition theory provided an explanation for extraordinary female biased sex ratios in a range of organisms. When mating takes place locally, in structured populations, a female biased sex ratio is favoured to reduce competition between related males, and to provide more mates for males. However, there are a number of wasp species where the sex ratios appear to more female biased than predicted by Hamilton’s theory. We investigated theoretically the extent to which cooperative interactions between related females can interact with local mate competition to favour even more female biased sex ratios. We found that: (i) cooperative interactions between females can lead to sex ratios that are more female biased than predicted by local competition theory alone; (ii) sex ratios can be more female biased when the cooperative interactions are offspring helping parents before dispersal, rather than cooperation between siblings after dispersal. Our results can be applied to a range of organisms, and provide an explanation for the extreme sex ratio biases that have been observed in Sclerodermus and Melittobia wasps.

Increased secondary sex ratios in golden hamster litters sired by males without coagulating glands and seminal vesicles

1996 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 297 ◽  
Author(s):  
PH Chow ◽  
MP Cheung ◽  
WS O
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Y Chromosome ◽  
Sex Ratios ◽  
Seminal Vesicles ◽  
Differential Survival ◽  
Bilateral Ablation ◽  
Primary Sex Ratio ◽  
Sh Group ◽  
Biased Sex Ratio ◽  
Coagulating Gland

In golden hamsters, although bilateral ablation of paternal coagulating glands (CGX) and seminal vesicles (SVX) did not affect fertility, a higher number of male pups were born. The present study aimed at determining whether this male-biased sex ratio was due to an imbalance of fertilization by X and Y chromosome-bearing sperms or whether it was the consequence of a sex-related differential survival of embryos. The sex of embryos sired by sham-operated (SH) controls or males subjected to bilateral ablation of ampullary glands (AGX), CGX and SVX was determined from chromosomal spreads at 10 h post coitum and 10 days post coitum. The primary sex ratio of of the SH group did not deviate from the hypothetical sex ratio of 1:1. The sex ratios of zygotes from the three experimental groups did not differ from that of the controls. However, by mid gestation, the sex ratio was significantly higher in the SVX group (P < 0.05) and the CGX group (P < 0.005). The absence of secretions from the ampullary gland, coagulating gland and seminal vesicle had no effect on the primary sex ratio, thus these glands did not appear to affect fertilization by the X and Y chromosome-bearing sperm. The increased secondary sex ratios observed in the SVX and CGX groups were due to the preferential survival of males.

Experimental observations on the sex ratio of adult Schistosoma mansoni, with comments on the natural male bias

Parasitology ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 121 (4) ◽  
pp. 379-383 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. BOISSIER ◽  
H. MONÉ
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Schistosoma Mansoni ◽  
Sex Ratios ◽  
Vertebrate Host ◽  
Natural Conditions ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Male Bias ◽  
Biased Sex Ratio ◽  
And Bisexual

The sex ratio of adult worms has been observed biased towards males in Schistosoma mansoni under natural conditions. The origin of this bias is unknown. This paper determines whether males are more infective than females under controlled experimental bisexual conditions, and hence if the sex ratio is male-biased as a consequence of this. The male and female cercarial infectivities in uni- and bisexual vertebrate host infections using a range of controlled cercarial sex ratios were studied. The results showed that, in experimental unisexual infections, male cercariae were more infective than females, and that in experimental bisexual infections, male cercarial infectivity was similar to that of female, irrespective of cercarial sex ratio. Furthermore, cumulative male and female cercarial infectivity was maximal when sex ratio was equilibrated. The unbiased sex ratios obtained in our experimental bisexual infections are discussed in terms of behavioural and/or biochemical male–female interaction. Alternative explanations of the natural biased sex ratio are proposed.

Incubation temperature affects sexual differentiation, incubation time, and posthatching survival in desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizi)

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (11) ◽  
pp. 2091-2097 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Lewis-Winokur ◽  
Robert M. Winokur
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Incubation Time ◽  
Sexual Differentiation ◽  
Hatching Success ◽  
Incubation Temperature ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Temperature Dependent ◽  
Incubation Temperatures ◽  
Male To Female ◽  
Pivotal Temperature

Eggs of captive desert tortoises. Gopherus agassizi, incubated at six temperatures (25, 27, 28, 29, 29.4, and 31 °C) produced 107 specimens. Eggs incubated at 31 °C resulted in a male to female sex ratio of 5:7; all other incubation temperatures resulted in males only. Histological examination of gonads revealed that the testes of newly hatched to 3-month-old individuals showed incomplete and poorly developed seminiferous tubules. Female gonads showed a thickened cortex. Incubation times were longer at lower temperatures. Both hatching success and hatchling survivorship were lower at lower incubation temperatures. We confirm that temperature-dependent sex determination occurs in desert tortoises and that the pivotal temperature is between 31 and 32 °C.

The genetic basis of sex ratio in Silene alba (= S. latifolia).

Genetics ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 136 (2) ◽  
pp. 641-651
Author(s):  
D R Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Sex Ratios ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Sex Ratio Bias ◽  
Deleterious Alleles ◽  
Silene Alba ◽  
Biased Sex Ratio ◽  
Paternal Parent ◽  
Reciprocal Crossing ◽  
Female Bias

Abstract A survey of maternal families collected from natural populations showed that the sex ratio in Silene alba was slightly female biased. Sex ratio varied among populations and among families within a female biased population. Crosses among plants from the most female biased population and the most male biased population showed that the sex ratio polymorphism was inherited through or expressed in the male parent. Males from one family in particular exhibited a severe female bias, characterized by less than 20% male progeny. The inheritance of sex ratio was investigated using a reciprocal crossing design. Sex ratios from reciprocal crosses were significantly different, indicating either sex-linkage or cytoplasmic inheritance of sex ratio. The sex ratios produced by males generally resembled the sex ratios produced by their male parents, indicating that the sex ratio modifier was Y linked. The maternal parent also significantly influenced sex ratio through an interaction with the genotype of the paternal parent. Sex ratio, therefore, is apparently controlled by several loci. Although sex ratio bias in this species may be due to deleterious alleles on the Y chromosome, it is more likely to involve an interaction between loci that cause the female bias and a Y-linked locus that enhances the proportion of males in the progeny.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document