REIDA, M.K.*; JANZEN, F.J.; Iowa State University; Iowa State University: The role of incubation temperature in inducing external abnormalities observed in neonatal painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) derived from natural nests

Phenotypic abnormalities occur in offspring at low frequencies in most wild populations. In turtles, laboratory experiments have identified extreme temperatures experienced during embryonic development as a primary cause of these abnormalities. But is this pattern also observed in natural nests? Here we compare temperature profiles of painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) nests containing a large fraction of hatchlings with visible abnormalities to those of nests containing few or no hatchlings with abnormalities. We hypothesize that the former nests will exhibit more extreme thermal means, variances, minima, and/or maxima than the latter nests. Should this expectation not be met, it may be the case that these visible external abnormalities in hatchling C. picta are influenced more by genetic factors than by the thermal environment in natural nests.