Final answer:
The sex of turtles and alligators is determined by the environmental factor of temperature during egg incubation, known as temperature-dependent sex determination, which varies between species in terms of the specific temperatures required.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sex of certain reptiles, such as turtles and alligators, is determined not by genetics but by the environmental factor of temperature during egg incubation. This process is known as temperature-dependent sex determination.
For example, in the case of alligators like the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), sex determination is quite specific: eggs incubated at temperatures around 30°C produce females, while those incubated at about 33°C produce males.
Turtles also exhibit this characteristic, but the temperatures that determine the sexes can vary between species. Typically, cooler temperatures may yield males, and warmer temperatures may result in females, while some species may require moderate temperatures for males and both extremes for females.
This fascinating adaptation has significant implications for population dynamics and conservation efforts, especially in the context of climate change and its effect on ambient temperatures.