What question did this study set out to answer?

To determine how long-term spatial and temporal thermal variations influence somatic growth rates, thermoregulatory behavior, and population sex ratios in northern map turtles.

August 19, 2026Global Change Biology CommunicationsOpen Access

Spatiotemporal Thermal Variation Modulates Phenotypic Plasticity in Freshwater Turtle Growth, Behavior, and Sex

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Authors

APAmber L. Pitt JTJoseph J. Tavano EEEvan Eldermire

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Overview

Longitudinal study demonstrates altered growth, behavior, and female-biased sex ratios in northern map turtles, suggesting phenotypic plasticity may not keep pace with climate change.

Key Points

To determine how long-term spatial and temporal thermal variations influence somatic growth rates, thermoregulatory behavior, and population sex ratios in northern map turtles.
Analyzed northern map turtles (Graptemys geographica) across three historical timeframes spanning over 50 years (1969–1972, 2004–2007, and 2019–2022) in a spring-fed stream.
Assessed spatial variation between two thermally distinct stream reaches from 2005 to 2007.
Quantified instantaneous somatic growth rates, tracked thermoregulatory behavior, and evaluated population sex ratios for temporal deviations from parity.
Somatic growth rates increased across warmer, longer temporal periods but showed no significant differences across spatial reaches within the stream.
Thermoregulatory behavior shifted during the warmest interval (2019–2022) and partially buffered microclimatic spatial temperature differences.
Population sex ratios deviated significantly from parity during recent warm periods, becoming strongly female-biased.

Cite This Study

Pitt et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a85637603308d306e2d69e1 https://doi.org/10.1002/gcb4.70045

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August 19, 2026Global Change Biology CommunicationsOpen Access

Spatiotemporal Thermal Variation Modulates Phenotypic Plasticity in Freshwater Turtle Growth, Behavior, and Sex

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

APAmber L. Pitt JTJoseph J. Tavano EEEvan Eldermire

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Longitudinal study demonstrates altered growth, behavior, and female-biased sex ratios in northern map turtles, suggesting phenotypic plasticity may not keep pace with climate change.

Key Points

To determine how long-term spatial and temporal thermal variations influence somatic growth rates, thermoregulatory behavior, and population sex ratios in northern map turtles.
Analyzed northern map turtles (Graptemys geographica) across three historical timeframes spanning over 50 years (1969–1972, 2004–2007, and 2019–2022) in a spring-fed stream.
Assessed spatial variation between two thermally distinct stream reaches from 2005 to 2007.
Quantified instantaneous somatic growth rates, tracked thermoregulatory behavior, and evaluated population sex ratios for temporal deviations from parity.
Somatic growth rates increased across warmer, longer temporal periods but showed no significant differences across spatial reaches within the stream.
Thermoregulatory behavior shifted during the warmest interval (2019–2022) and partially buffered microclimatic spatial temperature differences.
Population sex ratios deviated significantly from parity during recent warm periods, becoming strongly female-biased.

Cite This Study

Pitt et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a85637603308d306e2d69e1 https://doi.org/10.1002/gcb4.70045

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