Effects of incubation and raising temperature on Caiman latirostris growth

PARACHÚ MARCÓ, M.V.; PIÑA, C.I.; SIMONCINI, M.; LARRIERA, A.

ZOOLOGICAL STUDIES

Academia Sinica

Lugar: Taiwan; Año: 2009

1021-5506

Different studies found that incubation temperature has an influence on the size of Caiman latirostris and determines their gonadal sex. Experimental manipulations have revealed that the effects of temperature on growth are independent of sex. Ambient temperature has also been an influential factor - juvenile caiman have had lower growth in cool temperature (29ºC) versus warm temperature (33ºC) independent of incubation temperatures. Two-month old caiman were raised at two different temperatures (29ºC and 33ºC) for 100 days. These animals came fromdifferent incubation treatments: 29ºC, 31ºC (females), 33ºC (male) and 33ºC with  17B-Estradiol (females). No differences have been found on growth based on incubation temperature or sex. Our data indicates that the evolutionary advantage of the TSD (temperature-dependent sex determination), if it exists, would not be bound to a differential growth between sexes nor to incubation temperature; at least in the first stages of life before hatchlings reach the first winter. The temperature during the development and breedinghas direct effects on the size of the broad-snouted caiman.