| Sexual differentiation of the marine leatherback turtle is sensitive to temperature. Incubation of eggs below 29 degree C results in 100% males, whereas incubationa bove 30 degree C results in 100% potential females at hatching. Therefore, the threshold temperature lies between 29 and 30 degree C as has been found for other marine turtles (Caretta caretta, Chelonia mydas ). Among hatchlings from natural nests in French Guiana, 10% were males, 20% were potential females and 70% had an intermediate phenotype. The sand temperature at 60 cm of depth, near one nest, was recorded and was found to vary between 29 and 30 degree C during the presumed thermosensitive period. These results will be useful to marine turtle hatcheries which seek to manipulate sex ratios... |
