Sperm specificity and potential paternal effects in gynogenesis in the Amazon Molly (Poecilia formosa).

ABSTRACT: The Amazon Molly (Poecilia formosa) reproduces by gynogenesis, a relatively rare form of asexual reproduction where sperm is required to trigger embryogenesis, but male genes are not incorporated into the genome of the embryo. Studying gynogenesis could isolate paternal non-genetic effects on reproduction. This study explored which of eleven related species can produce sperm to trigger gynogenesis through natural mating in P. formosa, and whether sympatry affects reproductive success in P. formosa. Reproductive outcomes measured were relative reproductive output (number of offspring in the first brood divided by female standard length), relative embryo output (number of embryos in the first brood divided by female standard length) and combined relative reproductive out

SUBMITTER: Cerepaka C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10629382 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature