Paradoxical polyembryony? Embryonic cloning in an ancient order of marine bryozoans

Prolific polyembryony is reported in few major taxa, but its occurrence has generated theoretical debate on potential conflict between sexual and asexual reproduction. It is, therefore, important to genetically confirm a widely cited inference, based on microscopy, that polyembryony characterizes marine bryozoans of the order Cyclostomata. Microsatellite genotyping of brooded embryos and maternal colonies conclusively demonstrated polyembryony, while genetic variation among broods within colonies indicated outcrossing via water-borne sperm, in the rocky-shore species Crisia denticulata. The characteristically voluminous brood chamber of cyclostomes is judged to be an adaptation linked to larval cloning and hence an indicator of polyembryony. We speculate that although the almost universal occurrence of polyembryony among crown-group Cyclostomata is probably attributable to phylogenetic constraint, adaptive consequences are likely to be significant.

D'Amato, M. E. (författare)
Bishop, J. D. D. (författare)
Carvalho, G. R. (författare)
Craig, S. F. (författare)
Hansson, Lars JohanGothenburg University,Göteborgs universitet,Institutionen för marin ekologi,Department of Marine Ecology(Swepub:gu)xhlars (författare)
Harley, M. A. (författare)
Pemberton, A. J. (författare)
Göteborgs universitetInstitutionen för marin ekologi (creator_code:org_t)

Av författaren/redakt...: Hughes, R. N.; D'Amato, M. E.; Bishop, J. D. D.; Carvalho, G. R.; Craig, S. F.; Hansson, Lars Jo ...; visa fler...; Harley, M. A.; Pemberton, A. J.; visa färre...

Om ämnet

Kungliga biblioteket hanterar dina personuppgifter i enlighet med EU:s dataskyddsförordning (2018), GDPR. Läs mer om hur det funkar här.
Så här hanterar KB dina uppgifter vid användning av denna tjänst.