Temperature Dependent Sex-biased Embryo Mortality In A Bird

Main Category: Veterinary
Also Included In: Biology / Biochemistry
Article Date: 28 Aug 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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This is the first study to show temperature dependent sex-biased embryo mortality operating in a bird.

Molecular sexing of chicks and embryos of the Australian Brush-turkey (Alectura lathami) confirmed that male embryo mortality was greater at high temperatures while female mortality is greater at low temperatures, with mortality in both sexes similar at intermediate incubation temperatures.

This novel mechanism of altering sex ratios in birds, coupled with the unique breeding biology of the Brush-turkey, offers a potentially unparalleled opportunity in which to investigate sex allocation theory in birds.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Proceedings B is the Royal Society's flagship biological research journal, dedicated to the rapid publication and broad dissemination of high-quality research papers, reviews and comment and reply papers. The scope of journal is diverse and is especially strong in organismal biology.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences