Genetic evidence for plastic reproductive philopatry and matrotrophy in blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) of the Moorea Island (French Polynesia).

ABSTRACT: The exploitation of sharks and the degradation of their habitats elevate the urgency to understand the factors that influence offspring survival and ultimately shark reproductive success. We monitored and sampled blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) in nursery habitats of Moorea Island (French Polynesia), to improve knowledge on shark reproductive behavior and biology. We sampled fin clips and morphometrics from 230 young-of-the-year sharks and used microsatellite DNA markers to process parentage analysis to study the reproductive philopatric behavior in female sharks and the matrotrophy within litters. These traits are driving the success of the local replenishment influencing selection through birth site and maternal reserves transmitted to pups. Parentage analysis revealed t

SUBMITTER: Eustache KB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10492826 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature