Influence of temperature in determining sex and post-hatching growth of broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris)

• Grant number: 05/02208-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2005
• End date: November 30, 2006
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Luciano Martins Verdade
• Grantee: Paula Caroline Lopes
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Two experiments will be done. The first one includes Caiman eggs incubation at four different temperatures, where eggs from each nest would be split at all incubation temperatures. The second experiment will test caiman hatchlings growth (hatchling produced form the first experiment) at two different ambient temperatures. Hatchlings from the same incubation temperature will be split into four groups, each one for the temperature treatments and its replicates. Former studies of this topic developed in Brazil and in Argentina have shown contrasting results. Knowledge of TSD pattern and its implications in hatchlings growing is extremely important for management programs and conservation of the species.