Gervais, C., Mourier, J., and Rummer, J.L. (2016) Developing in warm water: irregular colouration and patterns of a neonate elasmobranch. Marine Biodiversity, 46 (4). pp. 773-774.

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Abstract

[Extract] Temperature can impact embryonic development in nearly all vertebrates. This may be particularly evident in ectotherms—especially embryos developing in eggs outside of the female. Until hatching, the eggs can be restricted to their local thermal environment. Temperature can affect development rates, and skeletal abnormalities and abnormal colouration and patterns (e.g., snakes; Vinegar 1974) can result from elevated temperatures. While perhaps not directly life-threatening, temperature-mediated changes in colouration and pattern development may impact biological fitness because patterns are often required for camouflage, to attract mates, and/or for deterring predators.

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