how could scientists test the hypothesis of different areas having lighter or dark skin pigmentation ​

scientists can test differences of the area with pigmentation by observing which is lighter and which is darker however they use microscope to look the difference of the pigmentation over the cells.

tsd is temerature dependent sex determination.

tsd: it is a type of environmental sex determination in which the temperature experienced during embryonic/ larval development (ambient temperature for development) determine the sex of the offspring.

crocodile displays the tsd where the ambient temperature of the developing egg determines the individual's sex. for example in the american alligator's eggs, incubation at 33 ºc produces mostly males, while incubation at 30 ºc produces mostly females. so if the american alligator's egg will get the ambient temperature (33 degree celcius)during embryonic development from egg, the offspring will be male and same for the female sex determination.