When a species can't stand the heat
Abstract
Tuatara are a unique species of reptile found only in New Zealand. Tuatara look like lizards but they are actually in their own reptile group. Tuatara are the only species remaining on the planet from this lineage, one that dates to the time of the dinosaurs! Tuatara are similar to tortoises in that they are extremely long-lived and can sometimes live over 100 years. Tuatara start reproducing when they are about 15–20 years old and they breed infrequently.
The sex of tuatara is not determined by sex chromosomes (X or Y) as in humans. Instead, the temperature of the nest during egg development is the only factor that determines the sex of tuatara embryos. If the egg develops with a low temperature in the nest it will be female, but if it develops with a high temperature it will be male. This process happens in many other species, too, including some turtles, crocodiles, lizards, and fish. However, most species are the opposite of tuatara and produce females at the warmest temperatures.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-17-2016
Publisher Statement
Copyright © 2016 Michigan State University. This article first appeared in Data Nuggets Teaching Case Study (November 17, 2016).
Recommended Citation
Grayson, Kristine L., Nicola J. Mitchell, and Nicola J. Nelson. "When a species can't stand the heat." Data Nuggets Teaching Case Study (November 17, 2016).