Sex Determination in Reptiles

@article{Bull1980SexDI,
  title={Sex Determination in Reptiles},
  author={James J. Bull},
  journal={The Quarterly Review of Biology},
  year={1980},
  volume={55},
  pages={3 - 21}
}
  • J. Bull
  • Published 1 March 1980
  • Biology
  • The Quarterly Review of Biology
Two factors in reptile sex determination have been studied: (1) the presence or absence of heteromorphic sex chromosomes, and (2) the influence of temperature. Recognizable sex chromosomes are common in snakes and lizards, but are apparently rare in turtles and absent in crocodilians and the tuatara. Temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) is common in turtles and has been reported in two lizards and alligators; however, data on TSD are available for few non-turtle species. Present… 
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Highly Influential Citations
44
Background Citations
293
Methods Citations
10
Results Citations
5

721 Citations

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The sex-determining mechanisms of squamate reptiles are poorly known, relative to the large number of species in the group; only 16% of these species have been karyotyped (Olmo, '861), and the effects of multi-temperature incubations have been examined in only a few species.
Environmental Sex Determination in Reptiles: Ecology, Evolution, and Experimental Design
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Physiological investigations of TSD have clarified the roles of steroid hormones, various enzymes, and H-Y antigen in sexual differentiation, whereas molecular studies have identified several plausible candidates for sex-determining genes in species with TSD.
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It appears that sex determination can be viewed as genotypic and monogenic with some individuals sexually inverted by the action of temperature.
Sex Determination in Southern Alligator Lizards (Elgaria multicarinata; Anguidae)
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Results indicate that E. multicarinata displays GSD, as is most common in vertebrates, although I cannot rule out the possibility that sex determination is somewhat thermally sensitive.
Environmental Control of Sex Determination and Differentiation in Reptiles
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The general background and recent advancements for TSD research in reptiles is discussed and factors triggering the intrinsic genetic cascade, which leads either to development of a testis or ovary are discussed.
Alternative life-history styles in reptiles
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Analysis of the effects of size and phylogeny on patterns of co-variation in certain squamate life-history traits reveals that although many variables scale allometrically with body size, significant variation in clutch size and age at maturity remains at order, family and generic level.
Temperature dependent sex determination: Evaluation and hypotheses
OF BIOLOGY JUNE 1991 ENVIRONMENTAL SEX DETERMINATION IN REPTILES : ECOLOGY , EVOLUTION , AND EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
TLDR
Physiological investigations of TSD have clarified the roles of steroid hormones, various enzymes, and HY antigen in sexual differentiation, whereas molecular studies have identified several plausible candidates for sex-determining genes in species with TSD.
Are Reptiles Predisposed to Temperature- Dependent Sex Determination?
TLDR
It is suggested that reptiles are predisposed to evolving TSD from genotypic sex determination (GSD) by virtue of the uniquely variable thermal environment experienced by their embryos during the critical period in which sex is determined.
Sex determination: Are two mechanisms better than one?
  • J. Bull
  • Biology
    Journal of Biosciences
  • 2008
TLDR
It is reported that, in the lab, extreme incubation temperatures can override sex chromosomes in the development of gonadal sex, and should be surprised at the coexistence of both systems in a species.
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