SEXUAL DIFFERENTIATION IN HATCHLING LOGGERHEADS (CARETTA CARETTA) INCUBATED AT DIFFERENT CONTROLLED TEMPERATURES

Abstract

A clutch of Caretta caretta eggs was divided into subgroups and incubated at constant temperatures ranging from 22?-36?C in 2? steps. Hatching occurred at 26?-34?C. At 30?C both males and females developed. Above 30?C only females resulted; below 300C only males resulted. At hatching the gonads were differentiated as ovaries with a conspicuous germi- nal epithelium, or as testes with well developed primary sex cords. The oviducts in males were not resorbed at hatching.