Title

Parthenogenesis in a Large-Bodied Requiem Shark, the Blacktip Carcharhinus limbatus

Authors

Demian D. Chapman, University of Miami
B. Firchau, Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center
Mahmood S. Shivji, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-8-2008

Publication Title

Journal of Fish Biology

Keywords

Automixis, Carcharhinidae, Diversity, Evolution, Genetic management

ISSN

0022-1112

Volume

73

Issue/No.

6

First Page

1473

Last Page

1477

Abstract

Genetic evidence is provided for parthenogenesis in a large-bodied shark, the blacktip Carcharhinus limbatus, from the speciose and commercially important family Carcharhinidae, the first verified case of asexual development in this lineage and only the second for any chondrichthyan. The parthenogenetic embryo exhibited elevated homozygosity relative to its mother, indicating that automictic parthenogenesis is the most likely mechanism. Although this finding shows that parthenogenesis is more common and widespread in sharks than previously realized and supports the early existence of parthenogenetic abilities in vertebrates, the adaptive significance of automixis in these ancient fishes remains unclear.

Comments

©2008 The Authors

NSUWorks Citation

Chapman, Demian D.; B. Firchau; and Mahmood S. Shivji. 2008. "Parthenogenesis in a Large-Bodied Requiem Shark, the Blacktip Carcharhinus limbatus." Journal of Fish Biology 73, (6): 1473-1477. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8649.2008.02018.x.

ResearcherID

G-4080-2013

DOI

10.1111/j.1095-8649.2008.02018.x