Effects of daily thermal fluctuations on the Atlantic silverside, a fish with temperature-dependent sex determination.

Temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) occurs when the temperature during development affects gonad determination. Historically, most work on TSD in fishes was conducted under constant temperatures, yet daily fluctuating temperatures can significantly alter fish physiology and life history. Thus, we subjected the Atlantic silverside, Menidia menidia (a TSD species), to 28, 28 ± 2 and 28 ± 4°C (a high, masculinizing temperature) and quantified sex ratios and length.