Is multiple paternity in elasmobranchs a plesiomorphic characteristic?
2020
Lamarca, Felipe | Carvalho, Pedro Hollanda | Vilasboa, Anderson | Netto-Ferreira, Andre Luiz | Vianna, Marcelo
Multiple paternity behavior (MP) has been recorded for seven elasmobranch orders. It remains unclear how this common behavior evolved and whether it occurs in all elasmobranchs or in certain lineages. Although MP may provide genetic benefits, elasmobranchs display an aggressive courtship behavior and females may become severely wounded, making multiple mating costly. Females can perform multiple matings to avoid excessive harassment in males (polyandry by convenience hypothesis). Studies challenge this hypothesis, suggesting that females are often able to avoid mating attempts by inappropriate males and copulate with several potential. In this study, an scientiometric analysis was performed concerning elasmobranch species presenting MP records, to reconstruct the evolutionary history of the complex sexual behavior in this group. The results indicate that MP behavior is widespread in the subclass, suggesting that it may have been originated in the common ancestor of elasmobranchs (plesiomorphic state). The data indicate a knowledge gap regarding the detection of MP in other elasmobranch orders and we suggest that investigative studies on the neglected elasmobranch and chimaera orders are required.
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