Armando H. Escobedo Galván
PhD Candidate, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Research: Effect of climate change on sex-ratio population of Mexican crocodilians: Implications for conservation
Species/Topic: Mexican crocodilians
Abstract: Evidences of climate change effects on ecosystems and species have been growing in the last years. Crocodilians exhibit temperature-dependant sexual determination (TSD), where primary sex ratio is influenced by the temperature experienced by eggs during offspring development. As a consequence, incubation temperature is affected by environmental conditions during nesting season, and influences phenotypic characteristics of hatchlings during embryo development, affecting directly their performance, survival and reproduction. In the last years, research suggested that the most significant effect of climate change on TSD species will be the imbalance on sex ratios which would threaten the population viability, eventually driving local populations to extirpation. However, the potential consequences and implications of climate change on crocodilian populations have not been evaluated. This project proposes utilizing this approach so we can test not only the effect of environmental conditions on population sex ratio in crocodilians but also to collect data to understand the implications of climate change on TSD species as a key aspect to conserve these species in the long-term. Methods include nest monitoring, sex-ratio population evaluations and use of ecological niche models to evaluate the sex ratio change in future scenarios. Results will determine the vulnerability of crocodilians populations to environmental change conditions and a proposal for implementation of ex-situ management plan by local communities.