Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination in Crocodilians and Climate Challenges
Boglárka Mária Schilling-Tóth,
Scott M. Belcher,
Josefine Knotz,
Silvia Ondrašovičová,
Tibor Bartha,
István Tóth,
Attila Zsarnovszky,
Dávid Sándor Kiss
Affiliations
Boglárka Mária Schilling-Tóth
Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1078 Budapest, Hungary
Scott M. Belcher
Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
Josefine Knotz
Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1078 Budapest, Hungary
Silvia Ondrašovičová
Department of Biology and Physiology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, 041 81 Košice, Slovakia
Tibor Bartha
Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1078 Budapest, Hungary
István Tóth
Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1078 Budapest, Hungary
Attila Zsarnovszky
Agribiotechnology and Precision Breeding for Food Security National Laboratory, Institute of Physiology and Nutrition, Department of Animal Physiology and Health, Hungarian University of Agricultural and Life Sciences, 7400 Kaposvár, Hungary
Dávid Sándor Kiss
Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1078 Budapest, Hungary
The sex of crocodilians is determined by the temperature to which the eggs, and hence the developing embryo are exposed during critical periods of development. Temperature-dependent sex determination is a process that occurs in all crocodilians and numerous other reptile taxa. The study of artificial incubation temperatures in different species of crocodiles and alligators has determined the specific temperature ranges that result in altered sex ratios. It has also revealed the precise temperature thresholds at which an equal number of males and females are generated, as well as the specific developmental period during which the sex of the hatchlings may be shifted. This review will examine the molecular basis of the sex-determination mechanism in crocodilians elucidated during recent decades. It will focus on the many patterns and theories associated with this process. Additionally, we will examine the consequences that arise after hatching due to changes in incubation temperatures, as well as the potential benefits and dangers of a changing climate for crocodilians who display sex determination based on temperature.
