Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
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Gibbons, J. W., & Lovich, J. E. (1990). Sexual dimorphism in turtles with emphasis on the slider turtle (trachemys scripta). Herpetological Monographs, 4, 1–29.
Added by: Admin (23 Aug 2008 19:58:32 UTC) Last edited by: Beate Pfau (28 Oct 2009 11:23:46 UTC) |
| Resource type: Journal Article BibTeX citation key: Gibbons1990a View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Emydidae, Fortpflanzung = reproduction, Habitat = habitat, Morphologie = morphology, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Systematik = taxonomy, Trachemys, Trachemys scripta Creators: Gibbons, Lovich Collection: Herpetological Monographs |
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| Abstract |
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Trachemys scripta Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) in the slider turtle, Trachemys scripta, is pronounced; females attain larger body sizes than males in all populations for which data are available. The degree of this difference varies due to sampling biases, growth patterns, predatory pressures, population sex ratios and the size at which each sex reaches maturity. Some evidence of geographic variation is apparent. The direction and magnitude of SSD vary widely among turtle species regardless of phylogenetic relationships, but there is an overall trend toward larger females. Previously proposed relationships between SSD and mean body size were not supported; however, a relationship does appear to exist between SSD and turtle shell shape. We conclude that the size when each sex attains maturity is the underlying cause of SSD in turtles and is the critical life history trait upon which natural and sexual selection operate to determine the ultimate SSD observed, with the smaller sex maturing at a smaller size and younger age than the larger sex. Added by: Admin Last edited by: Beate Pfau |