
%0 Journal Article
%A Hewavisenthi, Suhashini 
%A Parmenter, C. John 
%T Hydric environment and sex determination in the flatback turtle (<emph type="2">Natator depressus</emph> Garman) (Chelonia : Cheloniidae)
%J Australian Journal of Zoology
%D 2000/12/15
%V 48
%N 6
%P 653-659
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO00049
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/ZO00049 
%X Eggs of Natator depressus (from eastern Queensland, Australia) were incubated at a constant temperature of 29.5&#x02DA;C on vermiculite substrate with three different moisture levels: wet (~&#8211;180 kPa), intermediate (~&#8211;1200 kPa) and dry (~&#8211;2000 kPa). The male : female ratios on wet, intermediate and dry substrates were 8 : 7, 5 : 5 and 5 : 8 respectively. Sex determination was not influenced by the hydric environment but was significantly affected by different clutches. A clutch with smaller eggs appeared to produce a higher proportion of females. The pivotal temperature was close to 29.5&#x02DA;C, with a possibly narrow transitional temperature range of 1&#x02DA;C. Visual designation of sex was confirmed (100%) by histological examination. Hatching success and the incubation duration were not influenced by the hydric environment. 
