Can Hermaphrodite Fish Self-Fertilization Boost Genetic Diversity and Clonality?
Some fish, such as the mangrove killifish (Kryptolebias marmoratus), can self-fertilize. They produce both sperm and eggs. Self-fertilization is rare but enables quick reproduction, although it decreases genetic diversity. Other species may show simultaneous hermaphroditism, which improves their chances of reproductive success. However, self-fertilization can also lead to clonality, where offspring are genetically similar to … Read more