ABSTRACT

Mating systems constitute an important biological characteristic that must be evaluated in commercially important species due to the effects of these systems on population growth rates and genetic diversity levels, which in turn determine the evolutionary potential of a population in the presence of environmental change. The most commonly reported mating system in sharks is polyandry, yet isolated reports of genetic monogamy have been published. The present study aimed to infer the mating system of two gravid Mustelus californicus females from Puerto Libertad, Sonora. The genetic analyses and parental reconstructions from the litters of both females indicated that genetic monogamy was most likely at work. We also discuss the ecological and biological features that may support genetic monogamy in this species. This is the first record of this mating system in M. californicus, which provides baseline data for future studies.

摘要

由于交配系统对种群增长率和遗传多样性水平的影响，交配系统构成了一个重要的生物学特征，必须在具有商业价值的物种中对其进行评估，这反过来又决定了种群在存在环境变化的情况下的进化潜力。鲨鱼中最常见的交配系统是一妻多夫，但已经发表了关于遗传一夫一妻制的个别报道。本研究旨在推断两种妊娠鼬鼠的交配系统来自索诺拉州自由港的女性。对两只雌性幼崽的遗传分析和父母重建表明，遗传一夫一妻制最有可能起作用。我们还讨论了可能支持该物种遗传一夫一妻制的生态和生物学特征。这是M. californicus中这种交配系统的第一个记录，为未来的研究提供了基线数据。