Ecology of Hatchling Sex Ratio in Map Turtles

• DOI: 10.2307/1941420
• Publication Date: 2006-05-09T13:44:35Z
• Authors: R. C. Vogt; J. J. Bull
• Keywords: Hatchling; Painted turtle

Incubation temperature is known to determine the sex of hatchlings in many species turtles, including map turtles. Graptemys ouachitensis, G. pseudogeographica, geographica, and painted turtle, Chrysemys picta. This paper presents a study ratio nest ecology natural populations these Wisconsin, but largely for ouachitensis pseudogeographica. Nesting was monitored during June, were obtained from 236 nests August September 1980. The distribution ratios samples two common bimodal, tending be all—female or all—male within nest, with an overall excess females. Nests males located amid vegetation, cool temperatures, females open sand exposed sun, high temperatures. differed significantly between nesting beaches, apparently because differences availability warm vs. sites. All—female hatched less time than nests, emerging consequently changed nearly all female early male September. data indicate major environmental influences on hatchling