PMID: 9427676Jan 15, 1998Paper

Embryonic temperature influences juvenile temperature choice and growth rate in snapping turtles Chelydra serpentina

The Journal of Experimental Biology
S O'Steen

Abstract

Snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) demonstrate temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD): intermediate egg incubation temperatures (23-27 degreesC) produce males, while extreme temperatures produce females. Snapping turtles are also sexually dimorphic: adult males are typically larger than females. Previous researchers hypothesized that male-producing egg temperatures enhanced the growth rate of juvenile turtles, resulting in the adult dimorphism and potentially providing an adaptive benefit for TSD. In reptiles, the choice of ambient temperature can also influence growth. I measured the effect of egg incubation temperature on juvenile growth rate and water temperature choice of C. serpentina. Eggs were incubated in the laboratory at 21.5, 24.5, 27.5 or 30.5 degreesC to produce both sexes, all males, both sexes or all females, respectively. Egg temperature was linearly and negatively correlated with growth rate of both male and female juveniles. Thus, growth was enhanced, but not maximized, by male-producing egg temperatures. Egg temperature was also negatively correlated with juvenile temperature choice such that, on average, turtles from 21.5 degreesC eggs selected 28 degreesC water, while turtles from 30.5 degreesC e...Continue Reading

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