Reproductive dynamics shapes genomotype composition in an allopolyploid complex

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary Biology
• Genetics
• Reproductive Biology

Background:

• Hybrid complexes involve organisms with multiple parental genomes (genomotypes) interconnected by crosses.
• The mechanisms driving the dynamics of established hybrid complexes are poorly understood.
• Allopolyploid organisms present unique evolutionary pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the reproductive success of the allopolyploid Iberian fish, Squalius alburnoides.
• To analyze offspring production and viability based on parental genomotypes in experimental crosses.
• To understand the role of reproductive dynamics in shaping allopolyploid population structure.

Main Methods:

• Experimental crosses (free-access and directional) were conducted using common genomotypes of Squalius alburnoides.
• Offspring paternity was analyzed in free-access crosses.
• Egg allocation, fertilization rates, and offspring survival were quantified for different male genomotypes.

Main Results:

• Offspring composition in free-access crosses deviated significantly from random mating expectations.
• Reproductive success (egg allocation, fertilization, survival) varied among crosses involving different male genomotypes.
• Directional crosses producing the most common wild genomotype showed the highest success rates.

Conclusions:

• Offspring production and viability are influenced by the parental male genomotype in Squalius alburnoides.
• Reproductive dynamics significantly structure the genomotype composition of allopolyploid populations.
• Further research into the ecology and evolution of allopolyploids is warranted.