Temperature-dependent sex determination in crocodilians

Abstract

The gender of crocodilian eggs is determined by temperature during the incubation period. Temperature-dependent sex determination is a phenomenon occurring amongst all crocodilians and several other reptilian species. Thereinafter, high, and low temperatures produce female hatchlings, while intermediate temperatures engender males. Artificial incubation temperatures in various crocodile and alligator species identified the critical temperature ranges where sex ratios are skewed, the pivotal points at which males and females are produced in a 50:50 ratio and the time frame where gender of the hatchling can be altered.