Article
Shark Virgin Birth Produces Multiple, Viable Offspring
Journal of Heredity
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-1-2010
Keywords
- AFLPs,
- Microsatellites,
- Parthenogenesis,
- White-spotted bamboo shark
Disciplines
Abstract
Facultative automictic parthenogenesis has only recently been confirmed in the most ancient jawed vertebrates, the chondrichthyan fishes (sharks, batoids, and chimeras). To date, however, in both documented cases, the females have only produced a single parthenogen offspring, and none of these have lived for more than 3 days. We present a genetically verified case of automictic parthenogenesis by a white-spotted bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium plagiosum), in which at least 2 parthenogens were produced and survived for 5 years or more. These findings demonstrate that some female sharks are capable of producing, multiple, viable offspring through parthenogenesis.
ResearcherID
G-4080-2013
DOI
10.1093/jhered/esp129
Citation Information
Kevin A. Feldheim, Demian D. Chapman, Doug Sweet, Sean Fitzpatrick, et al.. "Shark Virgin Birth Produces Multiple, Viable Offspring" Journal of Heredity Vol. 101 Iss. 3 (2010) p. 374 - 377 ISSN: 0022-1503 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/mahmood-shivji/146/
©The American Genetic Association. 2010. All rights reserved.