Sex Reversal and Performance in Fitness-Related Traits During Early Life in Agile Frogs

Sex reversal is a mismatch between genetic sex (sex chromosomes) and phenotypic (reproductive organs secondary sexual traits). It can be induced in various ectothermic vertebrates by environmental perturbations, such as extreme temperatures or chemical pollution, experienced during embryonic larval development. Theoretical studies recent empirical evidence suggest that may widespread nature impact individual fitness population dynamics. So far, however, little known about the performance of sex-reversed individuals fitness-related traits compared to conspecifics whose concordant with their sex. Using novel molecular marker set for diagnosing agile frogs ( Rana dalmatina ), we investigated larvae juveniles underwent spontaneous female-to-male laboratory. We found only few differences early life growth, development, behavior sex-concordant individuals, altogether these did not clearly support either higher lower prospects individuals. Putting results together earlier findings suggesting triggered heat stress associated low frogs, propose hypothesis consequences depend on its etiology.