Final answer:
A mutation in the aromatase gene of Alligator mississippiensis preventing an increase in enzyme function with temperature would likely lead to a skewed sex ratio in the population, favoring males due to disrupted temperature-dependent sex determination.
Step-by-step explanation:
If there is a mutation in the aromatase gene in Alligator mississippiensis such that aromatase function does not increase with temperature, this would result in a disruption of the mechanism for temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). In many reptiles, TSD is crucial in determining the sex of the offspring, with higher temperatures typically leading to a higher ratio of females due to increased aromatase activity, which converts androgens into estrogens.
Aromatase is an enzyme responsible for a key step in the biosynthesis of estrogens. Therefore, without the increase in aromatase activity in response to temperature, the alligator population would likely exhibit a skewed sex ratio, probably with an increase in the number of males as less estrogen would be produced to feminize the developing alligator embryos.