Hybridization generates a hopeful monster: a hermaphroditic selfing cichlid. Issue 3 (March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Svensson, Ola; Smith, Alan; García-Alonso, Javier; van Oosterhout, Cock
• Is Part Of: Royal Society open science. Volume 3:Issue 3(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-03
• Subjects: colour polymorphism -- disorders of sex development -- Pundamilia pundamilia×Neochromis omnicaeruleus -- self-fertilization -- selfing -- transgressive segregation; Science -- Periodicals; 500
• DOI: 10.1098/rsos.150684
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2054-5703

Abstract

Abstract : Compared with other phylogenetic groups, self-fertilization (selfing) is exceedingly rare in vertebrates and is known to occur only in one small clade of fishes. Here we report observing one F1 -hybrid individual that developed into a functional hermaphrodite after crossing two closely-related sexually reproducing species of cichlids. Microsatellite alleles segregated consistent with selfing and Mendelian inheritance and we could rule out different modes of parthenogenesis including automixis. We discuss why selfing is not more commonly observed in vertebrates in nature, and the role of hybridization in the evolution of novel traits.