Context
A study published in Science Advances warns that rising temperatures can cause sex reversal in agile frogs, turning genetically female tadpoles into fertile males. Such changes may create male-biased populations, reduce reproductive success and increase the risk of extinction, particularly when combined with infectious diseases.
Explanation
- Sex reversal occurs when an organism develops sexual characteristics different from those expected from its genetic sex.
- In agile frogs, sex is genetically determined by XX (female) and XY (male) chromosomes.
- When tadpoles experience high temperatures (such as a simulated heat wave of 28 °C to 30 °C during larval development), heat interferes with hormonal and genetic signaling. This can cause genetically female (XX) individuals to develop into fertile males (XY).
- Climate change increases temperature-related stress, potentially increasing the frequency of sex reversal.
- Male-biased sex ratios can lead to fewer breeding females and declining populations.
- Ranavirus, an infectious pathogen affecting amphibians, can increase mortality among vulnerable offspring. Reduced reproduction, disease susceptibility and declining genetic diversity can collectively increase extinction risk.
- Amphibians are ectothermic vertebrates, making their development particularly sensitive to environmental temperatures.
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Frog Sex Reversal: Climate Change and Extinction Risk