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Title: Incubation temperature alters stripe formation and head colouration in American alligator hatchlings and is unaffected by estradiol-induced sex reversal
ABSTRACT Considerations of the impact climate change has on reptiles are typically focused on habitat change or loss, range shifts and skewed sex ratios in species with temperature-dependent sex determination. Here, we show that incubation temperature alters stripe number and head colouration of hatchling American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). Animals incubated at higher temperatures (33.5°C) had, on average, one more stripe than those at lower temperatures (29.5°C), and also had significantly lighter heads. These patterns were not affected by estradiol-induced sex reversal, suggesting independence from hatchling sex. Therefore, increases in nest temperatures as a result of climate change have the potential to alter pigmentation patterning, which may have implications for offspring fitness.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1754903
NSF-PAR ID:
10450385
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Journal of Experimental Biology
Volume:
226
Issue:
6
ISSN:
0022-0949
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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