Sexual reproduction in freshwater fairy shrimp, Dendrocephalus brasiliensis (Pesta, 1921) inferred by Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism markers

Abstract

Fluctuations in world harvests of Artemia sp cysts have increased prices sharply in the past years. Several organisms have been tested as alternative sources for a total or partial replacement of Artemia sp, among which the microcrustacean (Anostraca) Dendrocephalus brasiliensis stands out. The objective of this study was to investigate the reproductive strategy of D. brasiliensis by means of AFLP markers. The distinction between sexual and parthenogenetic reproduction was conducted using 7 EcoRI and MseI primer combinations in a full-sib family composed of 13 progenies. Forty polymorphic markers were obtained, of these, 35% were from paternal origin and 65% were maternally inherited. Results showed mendelian segregation in all markers through the chi-square at P≤0.05. Sex changes were observed after 72 hours of grouping individuals of the same sex in a container, suggesting a possible sex density-dependent behavior. Paternal inheritance revealed that this species adopts sexual reproduction under experimental conditions.