Herpetological
www.dfherp.com
Genetic and Non-Genetic
Sex-Determination Factors
effect the expression of natural sex development.
High temperatures can result in genotypic
female frogs developing in phenotypic males.
The diagram to the left shows masculinization of
genetic females of the common wood frog, Rana
sylvatica at 32 °C.
the environment and deteriorate into oestrogenic
chemicals (environmental estrogens). If
concentrations are high enough, feminization of
all offspring results regardless of genetic or
temperature influence. The diagram at the right
details labratory results of pesticide
contamination in the leopard frog, Rana pipiens.
Pesticidal influence also interferes with TSD in
reptiles.
all images are the property of Randy G. Bradley-Campbell and may not be reproduced without permission
