Gonadal development and differentiation in Alligator mississippiensis at male and female producing incubation temperatures

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1989.tb05009.x
• Publication Date: 2009-03-24T12:16:33Z
• Authors: J. M. P. Joss
• Keywords: Sexual Differentiation

The development and differentiation of the gonads embryonic alligators incubated at 30 °C (100% female producing) 33 male was investigated histologically. stage gonad into an ovary or a testis occurred essentially same time both temperatures. This contrasts with overall embryos which slower lower temperature. A few days prior to differentiation, grew more quickly than they did °C. However, once differentiated presumptive testis, reduced in volume so that hatching testes were smaller ovaries. It is hypothesized synchrony/asynchrony rest embryo may account for temperature‐dependent sex determination.