Protracted rainfall decreases temperature within leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) clutches in Grenada, West Indies: Ecological implications for a species displaying temperature dependent sex determination

Houghton, Jonathan; Myers, Alan A.; Lloyd, C.; King, Rebecca; Isaacs, C.; Hays, Graeme C.

doi:10.1016/j.jembe.2007.02.001

Cited by 104 publications

(82 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Our results are similar to those presented by Houghton et al (2007) from Grenada, West Indies, where incubation temperatures of Leatherback nests in a natural environment ranged between 26.3 and 36.0 8C. Our finding that mean nest incubation temperatures (overall and for each third of the incubation period) varied significantly agrees with several field studies that observed significant differences between incubation temperature profiles in reptile nests (Shine et al 1997;Binckley et al 1998;Glen et al 2003;Zbinden et al 2006;Houghton et al 2007).…”

Section: Nest Success and Incubation Temperature Profilessupporting

confidence: 91%

“…Our finding that mean nest incubation temperatures (overall and for each third of the incubation period) varied significantly agrees with several field studies that observed significant differences between incubation temperature profiles in reptile nests (Shine et al 1997;Binckley et al 1998;Glen et al 2003;Zbinden et al 2006;Houghton et al 2007). Monitored nests in the current study were 4-5 8C higher than sand-only controls by the time of hatchling emergence, with increased temperatures attributed to metabolic activity within the nest cham- ber.…”

Section: Nest Success and Incubation Temperature Profilessupporting

confidence: 90%

“…Nest incubation temperature determines the sex of hatchlings during the middle third of the incubation period (Binckley et al 1998), where females are produced at higher temperatures and males at lower temperatures (Booth 2006). The pivotal temperature that produces a 50:50 sex ratio in Leatherback hatchlings is 29.4 8C, and the critical threshold temperature above which a clutch contains 100% females is 29.75 8C (Houghton et al 2007). In addition to determining the sex of reptile hatchlings, nest incubation temperature has also been shown to influence factors such as size (Elphick and Shine 1998;Ashmore and Janzen 2003;Wallace et al 2006;Janzen et al 2007), morphology (Braña and Ji 2000;Parker and Andrews 2007;Hare et al 2008), and locomotion performance (Shine et al 1997;Elphick and Shine 1998;Braña and Ji 2000;Glen et al 2003;Booth 2006;Elnitsky and Claussen 2006;Hare et al 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Influence of incubation temperature on morphology and locomotion performance of Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) hatchlings

Mickelson

Downie

2010

Can. J. Zool.

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Abstract:The journey of Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea (Vandelli, 1761)) hatchlings from nest to the sea is a vulnerable life-history stage. Studies have shown that nest incubation temperatures influence hatchling morphology and locomotor performance, which may affect hatchling fitness. We obtained incubation temperature profiles from 16 Leatherback nests in Tobago, West Indies, during the 2008 nesting season (March-June). There was significant variation among mean nest incubation temperatures, which had a significant influence on hatchling morphology. Using principal components analysis, we determined the morphological traits that explained the most variation among hatchlings, which allowed investigation of the relationship between hatchling morphology and terrestrial locomotion speed. Hatchlings with a narrower carapace width and longer flipper reach (produced at lower incubation temperatures) had significantly faster terrestrial speed and total run time than those with opposite characteristics (produced at higher incubation temperatures). Our results demonstrate that lower incubation temperatures produce hatchlings with traits that are significantly advantageous to terrestrial locomotion. These findings suggest that nest incubation temperature is important in determining hatchling fitness, as nest incubation temperature significantly influences hatchling morphology and locomotor capabilities. This study supplements related findings in Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas (L., 1758)), but also illustrates some unique features in Leatherbacks. (Vandelli, 1761)) nouveau-nées de leur nid à la mer constitue une étape vulnérable de leur cycle biologique. Des études ont démontré que la température d'incubation des nids influence la morphologie et la performance locomotrice des nouveau-nés, ce qui peut affecter la fitness de ces nouveaunés. Nous avons obtenu les profils des températures d'incubation de 16 nids de tortues-luths à Tobago, Antilles, durant la saison de nidification de 2008 (mars-juin). Il y a une variation significative entre les températures moyennes d'incubation au nid, qui a une influence significative sur la morphologie des nouveau-nés. Une analyse des composantes principales nous a servi à déterminer quels traits morphologiques expliquent le maximum de variation entre les nouveau-nés, ce qui nous a permis d'étudier la relation entre la morphologie des nouveau-nés et leur vitesse de déplacement au sol. Les nouveau-nés possédant une carapace plus étroite et une portée plus grande des nageoires (produits aux températures d'incubation plus basses) ont une vitesse au sol plus rapide et une « durée totale du trajet » plus courte que ceux qui ont les caractéristiques opposées (produits aux températures d'incubation plus élevées). Nos résultats démontrent que les tempéra-tures d'incubation plus basses produisent des nouveau-nés qui possèdent des traits qui favorisent significativement la locomotion terrestre. Ces observations indiquent que la température d'incubation au nid est importante pour la détermination...

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Section: Nest Success and Incubation Temperature Profilessupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Nest Success and Incubation Temperature Profilessupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Influence of incubation temperature on morphology and locomotion performance of Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) hatchlings

Mickelson

Downie

2010

Can. J. Zool.

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“…Additionally, Matsuzawa et al (2002) examined nests in Japan and found sand temperature increased as the rainy season ended; thus moisture may influence the thermal environment of the nest. Houghton et al (2007) found high rainfall in Granada produced unseasonably cool nest temperatures and interpreted these results as likely shifting leatherback sex ratios toward male-bias; however, sex ratio verification in this study was lacking. Wyneken & Lolavar (2015) found that loggerhead nests incubated in years that were wetter than normal and nests incubated in the lab under hot and wet conditions produced more males than would be expected based on previous studies of sex ratio and incubation temperature (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 53%

“…2004, Girondot et al 2010, Telemeco et al 2013a). In addition to genetic variation and possible maternal effects, environmental factors, such as sand albedo (Hays et al 2001), shading and sun exposure (Standora & Spotila 1985), and moisture from rainfall (Godfrey et al 1996, Houghton et al 2007) may modify nest sex ratios. A number of studies suggest that the hydric environment, in combination with the thermal environment, influences embryonic development and phenotype, including sex in turtles (e.g., Packard et al 1987, Cagle et al 1993, Finkler 2006, LeBlanc & Wibbels 2009, Wyneken & Lolavar 2015.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of rainfall on loggerhead turtle nest temperatures, sand temperatures and hatchling sex

Lolavar¹,

Wyneken²

2015

Endang. Species. Res.

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Marine turtles deposit their eggs in underground nests where they develop unattended and without parental care. Incubation temperature varies with environmental conditions, including rainfall, sun/shade and sand type, and affects developmental rates, hatch and emergence success, and embryonic sex. We documented (1) rainfall and sand temperature relationships and (2) rainfall, nest temperatures and hatchling sex ratios at a loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting beach in Boca Raton, Florida, USA, across the 2010 to 2013 nesting seasons. Rainfall data collected concurrently with sand temperatures at different depths showed that light rainfall affected surface sand; effects of the heaviest rainfall events tended to lower sand temperatures but the temperature fluctuations were small once upper nest depths were reached. This is important in understanding the potential impacts of rainfall as a modifier of nest temperatures, as such changes can be quite small. Nest temperature profiles were synchronized with rainfall data from weather services to identify relationships with hatchling sex ratios. The sex of each turtle was verified laparoscopically to provide empirical measures of sex ratio for the nest and nesting beach. The majority of hatchlings in the samples were female, suggesting that across the 4 seasons most nest temperatures were not sufficiently cool to produce males. However, in the early portion of the nesting season and in wet years, nest temperatures were cooler, and significantly more males hatched.

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Temperature‐Dependent Sex Determination in Sea Turtles in the Context of Climate Change: Uncovering the Adaptive Significance

Tomillo

Spotila

2020

BioEssays

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The adaptive significance of temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) in reptiles remains unknown decades after TSD was first identified in this group. Concurrently, there is growing concern about the effect that rising temperatures may have on species with TSD, potentially producing extremely biased sex ratios or offspring of only one sex. The current state-of the-art in TSD research on sea turtles is reviewed here and, against current paradigm, it is proposed that TSD provides an advantage under warming climates. By means of coadaptation between early survival and sex ratios, sea turtles are able to maintain populations. When offspring survival declines at high temperatures, the sex that increases future fecundity (females) is produced, increasing resilience to climate warming. TSD could have helped reptiles to survive mass extinctions in the past via this model. Flaws in research on sex determination in sea turtles are also identified and it is suggested that the development of new techniques will revolutionize the field.

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Protracted rainfall decreases temperature within leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) clutches in Grenada, West Indies: Ecological implications for a species displaying temperature dependent sex determination

Cited by 104 publications

References 18 publications

Influence of incubation temperature on morphology and locomotion performance of Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) hatchlings

Influence of incubation temperature on morphology and locomotion performance of Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) hatchlings

Effect of rainfall on loggerhead turtle nest temperatures, sand temperatures and hatchling sex

Temperature‐Dependent Sex Determination in Sea Turtles in the Context of Climate Change: Uncovering the Adaptive Significance

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