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Thesis
TEMPORAL VARIATION IN THE FREQUENCY OF MULTIPLE PATERNITY IN THE ATLANTIC SHARPNOSE SHARK (RHIZOPRIONODON TERRAENOVAE)
University of West Florida
Master of Science (MS), University of West Florida
2018
Abstract
Reproductive strategies can influence genetic diversity and fitness and are therefore of interest for conservation and management. Several studies indicate that polyandrous mating strategies and multiple paternity are common among sharks. The Atlantic sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae) is an abundant, small coastal shark found in temperate and tropical waters of the northwestern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico where it is an important part of both artisanal and commercial elasmobranch fisheries. Life history characteristics in this species are generally established. However, the occurrence of multiple paternity, and therefore multiple mating by females (polyandry) as a reproductive strategy in R. terraenovae was previously unknown. Four microsatellites designed for Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos (gray reef shark), C. acronotus (blacknose shark), and C. limbatus (blacktip shark) were used to analyze tissue samples from 30 R. terraenovae broods from three consecutive years. We confirmed that female R. terraenovae engage in polyandry with 12 out of 30 litters (40%) multiply sired. The frequency of multiple mating (FMM) each year was 15.3, 56.9, and 53.4 for 2014, 2015, and 2016 respectively. Although 2014 had a lower FMM, overall FMM did not vary significantly between 2014, 2015 and 2016 (P = 0.32) nor did the allelic richness per year. Therefore, we suggest that polyandry in the Gulf of Mexico population of R. terraenovae is a relatively stable trait, with consistent male-female ratios and encounter rates in the population.
Details
- Title
- TEMPORAL VARIATION IN THE FREQUENCY OF MULTIPLE PATERNITY IN THE ATLANTIC SHARPNOSE SHARK (RHIZOPRIONODON TERRAENOVAE)
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Publisher
- University of West Florida
- Format
- text
- Identifiers
- 99380090722906600
- Academic Unit
- Biology
- Language
- English
- Awarding Institution
- University of West Florida; Master of Science (MS)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), University of West Florida