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Article
A Pre-Zygotic Barrier to Hybridization in Two Con-Generic Species of Scleractinian Corals
F1000Research
  • Andrew H. Baird, James Cook University - Townsville, Australia
  • Vivian R. Cumbo, James Cook University - Townsville, Australia
  • Joana Figueiredo, James Cook University - Townsville, Australia
  • Saki Harii, University of the Ryukyus - Japan
ORCID
0000-0001-6597-0268
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2013
Abstract

Hybridization is often cited as a potential source of evolutionary novelty in the order Scleractinia. While hybrid embryos can be produced in vitro, it has been difficult to identify adult hybrids in the wild. Here, we tested the potential for hybridization between two closely related species in the family Fungiidae. We mixed approximately 5000 eggs of Ctenactis echinata with sperm from C. crassa. No hybrid embryos were produced. This observation adds to a growing body of evidence for pre-zygotic barriers to hybridization in corals and challenges the claim that hybridization is a major source of evolutionary novelty in the order.

DOI
10.12688/f1000research.2-193.v2
Comments

©2013 Baird AH et al.

Additional Comments
Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies grant #: COE561432
Citation Information
Andrew H. Baird, Vivian R. Cumbo, Joana Figueiredo and Saki Harii. "A Pre-Zygotic Barrier to Hybridization in Two Con-Generic Species of Scleractinian Corals" F1000Research Vol. 2 Iss. 193 (2013) p. 1 - 6 ISSN: 2046-1402
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/joana-figueiredo/8/