Sex identification of young Kemp's ridley sea turtles

Temperature-dependent sex determination, homomorphic sex chromosomes and the absence of sexual dimorphism in young sea turtles limit sexing of individuals to a sacrificial method involving histological examination of gonads. As a result it is not possible to determine the relationship between sex development and environment in the critically endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempi). Furthermore, managers cannot determine sex ratios in wild populations of Kemp's ridleys containing high percentages of juveniles, headstart programs have no knowledge of sex ratio of turtles hatched (except those that die) or released, and captive propagation operations must retain individuals for years before selecting for future