Correct option is B
The correct answer is (b) fertilised egg is kept
Explanation:
- In many reptiles, the sex of offspring is determined by the temperature at which the fertilized egg is incubated, a phenomenon known as temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD).
- This is in contrast to mammals (including humans), where sex is determined genetically, based on the combination of sex chromosomes inherited from the parents.
Information Booster:
Importance of Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination:
- Adaptive significance: TSD may have evolved as an adaptive mechanism, where environmental factors like temperature can influence the survival and fitness of offspring. For example, in some species, females might be produced at higher temperatures to maximize reproductive success in warmer climates, while males may be produced in cooler conditions for survival reasons.
- Vulnerability to climate change: With global warming and fluctuating environmental conditions, TSD species may be particularly vulnerable to shifts in temperature, which could disrupt the natural sex ratios and have long-term effects on population dynamics.