The maximal model includes all the explanatory variables of interest
(Crawley, 2007). In this study, the maximal models explored
were those in which the relationship between the response variable
and the explanatory variables had plausible biological explanations.
When analyzing T and E2 as dependent variables, T4 data were included
as one of the covariates to evaluate its relationship with the sex
steroids, given its behavioral (e.g. to promote mating) and physiological
functions associated with reproduction in reptiles (Dickhoff and
Darling, 1983; Licht et al., 1985b; Moon et al., 1998).