Hybrids Between Gray Seals (Halichoerus grypus) and Spotted Seals (Phoca largha): A Case of Xeno-Breeding Preference in Pinnipeds

IF 0.8 4区生物学 Q4 MARINE & FRESHWATER BIOLOGY

Aquatic Mammals Pub Date : 2023-11-15 DOI:10.1578/am.49.6.2023.550

Dongjiao Liu, Peijun Zhang, Yamian Wang, Zhichuang Lu, Wanxin Deng, Songhai Li

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Generally, a species is defined as an independent unit that is reproductively isolated from others. However, deviations from this definition are not uncommon. For example, cross-fertilization in pinnipeds has been reported among at least 10 species. Herein, we describe an unexpected hybridization that occurred between female gray seals (Halichoerus grypus) and male spotted seals (Phoca largha) in the presence of adult male gray seals in a mixed-species seal population under human care. To our knowledge, these are the first cases of gray and spotted seal hybrids ever reported. The three hybridized offspring had the appearance of a gray seal body and a spotted seal head. Microsatellite DNA markers were employed as genetic evidence to further support the hybridization events. Our study suggests a natural preference for interspecies hybridization between female gray seals and male spotted seals in human care. Following that, potential causes of cross-species hybridization, including female preference, male competition, and some other factors, are discussed.

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灰海豹(Halichoerus grypus)和斑点海豹(Phoca largha)的杂交:鳍足类异种繁殖偏好的一个案例

一般来说，一个物种被定义为一个独立的单位，在繁殖方面与其他单位隔离。然而，偏离这一定义的情况并不少见。例如，据报道，鳍足类动物中至少有10个物种发生了异交受精。在此，我们描述了在人类照顾下的混合种海豹种群中，在成年雄性灰海豹存在的情况下，雌性灰海豹(Halichoerus grypus)和雄性斑点海豹(Phoca largha)之间发生的意想不到的杂交。据我们所知，这是首次报道灰海豹和斑点海豹杂交的案例。这三只杂交后代的外表是灰色的海豹身体和斑纹的海豹头。微卫星DNA标记作为遗传证据进一步支持杂交事件。我们的研究表明，在人类的照顾下，雌性灰海豹和雄性斑海豹之间存在着种间杂交的自然偏好。在此基础上，讨论了跨物种杂交的潜在原因，包括雌性偏好、雄性竞争和其他一些因素。

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来源期刊

Aquatic Mammals MARINE & FRESHWATER BIOLOGY-ZOOLOGY

CiteScore

1.60

自引率

16.70%

发文量

审稿时长

>12 weeks

期刊介绍： Aquatic Mammals is a peer-reviewed journal sponsored by the European Association for Aquatic Mammals (EAAM), the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA), and the International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association (IMATA). Aquatic Mammals publishes articles related to marine mammals (whales, dolphins, seals, fur seals, sea lions, walrus, dugongs, manatees, sea otters, and polar bears). Topics of publication on both captive animals and wild marine mammals include aspects of husbandry; behavior; conservation; veterinary medicine; anatomy; physiology; training; population trends; and the effects of pollution, climate change, and noise.