Phenotypic sex differentiation of blue tilapia under constant and fluctuating thermal regimes and its adaptive and evolutionary implications

Abstract

Oreochromis aureus exposed during the first 28 days of exogenous feeding to constant 35° C, or fluctuating temperatures (day at 35° C, night at 27° C, and vice versa) showed significantly ( P <0·05) faster growth, least size heterogeneity and better survival rates than siblings under constant 27° C. Constant high temperatures had a strong masculinizing effect (M: F sex ratios of 7·33–19·00: 1·00 v . 0·75–0·82: 1·00 in controls reared at 27° C). Fluctuating temperatures had less masculinizing potential but still produced sex ratios significantly skewed to the detriment of females (M: F sex ratios of 2·33–11·50: 1·00). This suggests that ambient temperature may have represented a sufficient environmental pressure for the selection of thermolabile sex‐determinism in this species, and presumably in other Oreochromis spp. The evolutionary advantage of thermosensitivity in Oreochromis spp. is discussed, considering a framework where individual advantages oppose, to some degree, to the population or species interest.