Asymmetrical sex reversal: Does the type of heterogamety predict propensity for sex reversal?. (11th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nemesházi, Edina; Bókony, Veronika
• Is Part Of: BioEssays. Volume 44:Number 7(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-05-11
• Subjects: ectotherm sex determination -- endocrine‐disruptor pollution -- feminization -- masculinization -- sex‐chromosome evolution -- sex‐reversing temperature; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Cytology -- Periodicals; Developmental biology -- Periodicals; 572.8
• DOI: 10.1002/bies.202200039
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0265-9247

Abstract

Abstract: Sex reversal, a mismatch between phenotypic and genetic sex, can be induced by chemical and thermal insults in ectotherms. Therefore, climate change and environmental pollution may increase sex‐reversal frequency in wild populations, with wide‐ranging implications for sex ratios, population dynamics, and the evolution of sex determination. We propose that reconsidering the half‐century old theory "Witschi's rule" should facilitate understanding the differences between species in sex‐reversal propensity and thereby predicting their vulnerability to anthropogenic environmental change. The idea is that sex reversal should be asymmetrical: more likely to occur in the homogametic sex, assuming that sex‐reversed heterogametic individuals would produce new genotypes with reduced fitness. A review of the existing evidence shows that while sex reversal can be induced in both homogametic and heterogametic individuals, the latter seem to require stronger stimuli in several cases. We provide guidelines for future studies on sex reversal to facilitate data comparability and reliability. Abstract : Environment‐induced sex reversal might catalyze demographic changes and sex‐chromosome evolution in ectotherms. We propose a modified view of the half‐century old observation called Witschi's rule and propose methodological standards, following which would facilitate our understanding on how sex‐chromosome systems may differ in their vulnerability to anthropogenic environmental change.