ROSIE, a database of reptilian offspring sex ratios and sex-determining mechanisms, beginning with Testudines

Caleb J. Krueger,Fredric J. Janzen

doi:10.1038/s41597-021-01108-1

Caleb J. Krueger, Fredric J. Janzen

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-021-01108-1

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Journal: Scientific Data	Publication Date: Jan 21, 2022
Citations: 2	License type: open-access

Affiliation: Iowa State University, Michigan State University

Abstract

In contrast to genotypic sex determination (GSD), temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) in amniotic vertebrates eludes intuitive connections to Fisherian sex-ratio theory. Attempts to draw such connections have driven over 50 years of research on the evolution of sex-determining mechanisms (SDM), perhaps most prominently among species in the order Testudines. Despite regular advancements in our understanding of this topic, no efforts have been published compiling the entirety of data on the relationships between incubation temperature and offspring sex in any taxonomic group. Here, we present the Reptilian Offspring Sex and Incubation Environment (ROSIE) database, a comprehensive set of over 7,000 individual measurements of offspring sex ratios in the order Testudines as well as SDM classifications for 149 species. As the name suggests, we plan to expand the taxonomic coverage of ROSIE to include all non-avian reptiles and will regularly release updates to maintain its comprehensive nature. This resource will enable crucial future research probing the ecology and evolution of SDM, including the presumed sensitivity of TSD to rapid environmental change.

Highlights

Assuming the cost of producing males and females is equal, theory predicts that gonochoristic populations should reach an equilibrium sex ratio of 1:1, a value produced at fertilization by the meiotic processes of most forms of genotypic sex determination (GSD)[1,2]
Despite its evident potential to produce non-Fisherian sex ratios, temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) is remarkably widespread among vertebrates; first described in the lizard Agama agama by Madeleine Charnier in 196612, it was subsequently confirmed in turtles[13], fishes[14], crocodilians[15], and tuatara[16]
This curious sex-determining mechanism (SDM) diversity and phylogenetic distribution has spurred a bounty of research over the past 50 + years on the ecology and evolution of SDM, focusing primarily on the mechanism and potential adaptive value of TSD

Summary

Introduction

Background & SummaryAssuming the cost of producing males and females is equal, theory predicts that gonochoristic populations should reach an equilibrium sex ratio of 1:1, a value produced at fertilization by the meiotic processes of most forms of genotypic sex determination (GSD)[1,2]. Chelonian studies have dominated the published literature on TSD, accounting for approximately 50% of all offspring sex-ratio studies in non-avian reptiles despite only comprising ~3% of the species in this group[24].

Results

Conclusion