Temperature's Role in Turtle Sex Determination Unveiled
New research from Duke University shows that higher incubation temperatures increase the number of germ cells in turtle embryos, which in turn drives feminization. This finding may explain why temperature-dependent sex determination persists in many animals and could have troubling implications for species in a warming world. As global temperatures continue to rise, scientists are studying how further increases in temperature will affect the pool of germ cells and whether it will produce less-fit females.