Sex determination(SD)is a critical embryonic development process that has profound impacts on the morphology of individuals and the survival of populations[1].In vertebrates,sex can be determined by either genetic or ...Sex determination(SD)is a critical embryonic development process that has profound impacts on the morphology of individuals and the survival of populations[1].In vertebrates,sex can be determined by either genetic or environmental factors[2],with the underlying molecular mechanism unknown for most species except for a few model organisms[3,4].Unlike mammals and birds,展开更多
The Chinese alligator Alligator sinensis is one of the most endangered crocodilian species, and typically exhibits temperature-dependent sex determination. It is extremely important to clarify the sex structure of Chi...The Chinese alligator Alligator sinensis is one of the most endangered crocodilian species, and typically exhibits temperature-dependent sex determination. It is extremely important to clarify the sex structure of Chinese alligators to implement recovery projects successfully. However, the sex ratio of wild Chinese alligators remains unknown. In this study, we collected 28 years of sex ratio data from Chinese alligators residing in the natural and artificial habitats of Changxing Nature Reserve, China, and examined the differences in the sex ratio dynamics between these two populations. We observed that the sex ratio of wild Chinese alligators is 1 male to 4.507 females, which was significantly lower compared to that of the captive population （1 to 2.040; P 〈 0.001）, and is significantly different to previously documented sex ratios for this species （all P 〈 0.01）. Furthermore, we documented an annually stable （P = 1.000） female-biased sex ratio for wild alligators at hatching [1 male to 4.747 females; 0.174 （0.167~）.182）], in contrast to a dramatically fluctuating sex ratio （P 〈 0.001） in captivity [1 male to 1.674 females; 0.374 （0.246-0.593）], showing a potential mechanism for adjusting the sex structure. Finally, we found that the hatchling sex ratios were similar to that of the population sex ratio （P = 0.748）, with little correlation to air temperature values in the 60-70 day incubation period during the breeding season （July and August; both P 〉 0.05）. Overall, this study indicates that the stabilized female-biased sex ratio of Changxing Chinese alligators might result from selection pressure caused by local mate competition and major inbreeding .展开更多
基金supported by the Key Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31230010 and 31530087)the National Key Program(2016YFC0503200)from the Ministry of Science and Technology of China+1 种基金a special grant from the State Forestry Administrationthe Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China
文摘Sex determination(SD)is a critical embryonic development process that has profound impacts on the morphology of individuals and the survival of populations[1].In vertebrates,sex can be determined by either genetic or environmental factors[2],with the underlying molecular mechanism unknown for most species except for a few model organisms[3,4].Unlike mammals and birds,
文摘The Chinese alligator Alligator sinensis is one of the most endangered crocodilian species, and typically exhibits temperature-dependent sex determination. It is extremely important to clarify the sex structure of Chinese alligators to implement recovery projects successfully. However, the sex ratio of wild Chinese alligators remains unknown. In this study, we collected 28 years of sex ratio data from Chinese alligators residing in the natural and artificial habitats of Changxing Nature Reserve, China, and examined the differences in the sex ratio dynamics between these two populations. We observed that the sex ratio of wild Chinese alligators is 1 male to 4.507 females, which was significantly lower compared to that of the captive population （1 to 2.040; P 〈 0.001）, and is significantly different to previously documented sex ratios for this species （all P 〈 0.01）. Furthermore, we documented an annually stable （P = 1.000） female-biased sex ratio for wild alligators at hatching [1 male to 4.747 females; 0.174 （0.167~）.182）], in contrast to a dramatically fluctuating sex ratio （P 〈 0.001） in captivity [1 male to 1.674 females; 0.374 （0.246-0.593）], showing a potential mechanism for adjusting the sex structure. Finally, we found that the hatchling sex ratios were similar to that of the population sex ratio （P = 0.748）, with little correlation to air temperature values in the 60-70 day incubation period during the breeding season （July and August; both P 〉 0.05）. Overall, this study indicates that the stabilized female-biased sex ratio of Changxing Chinese alligators might result from selection pressure caused by local mate competition and major inbreeding .
