Understanding the role of environmental temperature on sex determination through comparative studies in reptiles and amphibians

• Published in: Journal of experimental zoology. Part A, Ecological and integrative physiology Vol. 341; no. 1; pp. 48 - 59
• Main Authors: Akashi, Hiroshi, Hasui, Daiki, Ueda, Kai, Ishikawa, Momoka, Takeda, Masayoshi, Miyagawa, Shinichi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.01.2024
• Subjects: Amphibians; Animals; Ecosystem; Female; gonad; Male; reptiles; Reptiles - physiology; sex determination; Sex Determination Processes; Temperature; TRP; temperature; TRP; gonad; reptiles; sex determination; amphibians
• ISSN: 2471-5638; 2471-5646
• DOI: 10.1002/jez.2760

In vertebrates, species exhibit phenotypic plasticity of sex determination that the sex can plastically be determined by the external environmental temperature through a mechanism, temperature‐dependent sex determination (TSD). Temperature exerts influence over the direction of sexual differentiation pathways, resulting in distinct primary sex ratios in a temperature‐dependent manner. This review provides a summary of the thermal sensitivities associated with sex determination in reptiles and amphibians, with a focus on the pattern of TSD, gonadal differentiation, temperature sensing, and the molecular basis underlying thermal sensitivity in sex determination. Comparative studies across diverse lineages offer valuable insights into comprehending the evolution of sex determination as a phenotypic plasticity. While evidence of molecular mechanisms governing sexual differentiation pathways continues to accumulate, the intracellular signaling linking temperature sensing and sexual differentiation pathways remains elusive. We emphasize that uncovering these links is a key for understanding species‐specific thermal sensitivities in TSD and will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of ecosystem and biodiversity conservations. Research Highlights This review focused on gonadal development of reptiles and amphibians. We showed that temperature stimuli produce distinct primary sex ratio across species, and discussed the species‐specific temperature perception.