When population-advantageous primary sex ratios are female-biased: changing concepts to facilitate climate change management in sea turtles

Abstract Sea turtles have temperature-dependent sex determination. Because females are produced at high temperatures, increasing global temperature may lead to population feminization. Primary ratios (PSR) of sea turtle hatchlings naturally female-biased, but this translates into a more balanced operational ratio because male reproduce often than females. As consequence, PSR and the that produces it (pivotal temperature) limited use guide climate mitigation management an equal be demographically suboptimal. Here, I define population-advantageous primary (PA-PSR) as will tend in equilibrium result ratios; then estimate PA-PSR for different reproductive frequencies (years elapsed between seasons) adult female turtles. also (PET) would (i.e., PA-PSR). These concepts help assess influence rising temperatures on populations, they can better indicate if PSRs depart from those equilibrium. compared beach two populations which remigration intervals were known found mild or no feminization over occurring. varies inter-annually, coming beaches thermal conditions could recruit same population, is critical right temporal spatial scales. Climate strategies based these provide guidance conservation practitioners. Similar approaches considered other female-biased species with