Shark Virgin Birth Produces Multiple, Viable Offspring

Authors

• Kevin A. Feldheim, Pritzker Laboratory for Molecular Systematics and Evolution
• Demian D. Chapman, State University of New York - Stony Brook
• Doug Sweet, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
• Sean Fitzpatrick, Queen's University - Belfast, United Kingdom
• Paulo A. Prodohl, Queen's University - Belfast, United Kingdom
• Mahmood S. Shivji, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
• Bob Snowden, Pittburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium

ResearcherID

G-4080-2013

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of Heredity

ISSN

0022-1503

Publication Date

5-2010

Keywords

AFLPs, Microsatellites, Parthenogenesis, White-spotted bamboo shark

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.

DOI

10.1093/jhered/esp129

Volume

101

Issue

3

First Page

374

Last Page

377

Comments

©The American Genetic Association. 2010. All rights reserved.

NSUWorks Citation

Feldheim, Kevin A.; Demian D. Chapman; Doug Sweet; Sean Fitzpatrick; Paulo A. Prodohl; Mahmood S. Shivji; and Bob Snowden. 2010. "Shark Virgin Birth Produces Multiple, Viable Offspring." Journal of Heredity 101, (3): 374-377. doi:10.1093/jhered/esp129.