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Temperature-dependent sex determination and contemporary climate change
1Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Animal Biology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia. nicola.mitchell @ cyllene.uwa.edu.au
Summary
Global warming threatens reptiles with temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) by skewing sex ratios. Conservation strategies should focus on managing TSD reptiles to mitigate risks and support adaptation.
Area of Science:
- Herpetology
- Climate Change Biology
- Conservation Genetics
Background:
- Climate change presents a significant threat to species persistence.
- Reptiles with temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) face unique risks from rapid warming due to potential demographic collapse from skewed sex ratios.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms by which TSD reptiles are imperiled by global warming.
- To discuss evidence for and against adaptation in TSD reptiles.
- To propose a vulnerability ranking scheme for TSD reptiles and recommend management strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of ecological and physiological traits influencing reptile survival under climate change.
- Analysis of existing data on temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) in reptiles.
- Development of a vulnerability assessment framework for TSD reptiles.
Main Results:
- Rapid warming poses a unique risk to TSD reptiles, potentially leading to skewed sex ratios and population decline.
- Evidence for adaptive capacity through behavioral or physiological means in TSD reptiles is limited.
- Critical data on TSD lability and trait heritability are lacking for most species.
Conclusions:
- A precautionary approach is recommended for managing TSD reptiles at high risk.
- Management strategies should include neutralizing sex ratio biases and promoting adaptive processes.
- Conservation actions can support species persistence and facilitate further research into vulnerability prediction.
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