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Single-male paternity in coelacanths

Author

Listed:
  • Kathrin P. Lampert

    (University of Bochum, Evolutionary Ecology and Biodiversity of Animals, Universitätsstr)

  • Katrin Blassmann

    (University of Würzburg, Physiological Chemistry
    Present address: Department of Environmental Sciences, Bernoullistrasse 32, 4056 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Karen Hissmann

    (GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel)

  • Jürgen Schauer

    (GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel)

  • Peter Shunula

    (PO Box 774, Zanzibar, Tanzania)

  • Zahor el Kharousy

    (Deep Sea Fishing Authority Tanzania, PO Box 4199, Zanzibar, Tanzania)

  • Benjamin P. Ngatunga

    (Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute, PO Box 9750, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania)

  • Hans Fricke

    (GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel
    Max-Planck-Institut für Marine Mikrobiologie)

  • Manfred Schartl

    (University of Würzburg, Physiological Chemistry)

Abstract

Latimeria chalumnae, a ‘living fossil,’ is of great scientific interest, as it is closely related to the aquatic ancestors of land-living tetrapods. Latimeria show internal fertilization and bear live young, but their reproductive behaviour is poorly known. Here we present for the first time a paternity analysis of the only available material from gravid females and their offspring. We genotype two L. chalumnae females and their unborn brood for 14 microsatellite loci. We find that the embryos are closely related to each other and never show more than three different alleles per locus, providing evidence for a single father siring all of the offspring. We reconstruct the father’s genotype but cannot identify it in the population. These data suggest that coelacanths have a monogamous mating system and that individual relatedness is not important for mate choice.

Suggested Citation

  • Kathrin P. Lampert & Katrin Blassmann & Karen Hissmann & Jürgen Schauer & Peter Shunula & Zahor el Kharousy & Benjamin P. Ngatunga & Hans Fricke & Manfred Schartl, 2013. "Single-male paternity in coelacanths," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:4:y:2013:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms3488
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3488
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