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Sperm sharing in Biomphalaria snails: a new behavioural strategy in simultaneous hermaphroditism

Nature volume 308, pages 727–729 (1984)Cite this article

Abstract

Simultaneous hermaphroditism includes three reproductive options: self-fertilization, female-acting cross-fertilization, and male-acting cross-fertilization. Sperm sharing is introduced here as a fourth, new option: a cross-fertilized individual shares with other individuals sperm received from its previous crossmate. To share sperm, the individual acts mechanically as a male, but not genetically since the sperm it shares was not produced by it. We show here that sperm sharing occurs in snails of the genus Biomphalaria in laboratory conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, CP: 153081, Universidade de Brasília, 70919, Brasília, DF, Brazil

    Warton Monteiro, José Maria G. Almeida Jr & Braulio S. Dias

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  1. Warton Monteiro
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  2. José Maria G. Almeida Jr
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  3. Braulio S. Dias
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Monteiro, W., Almeida, J. & Dias, B. Sperm sharing in Biomphalaria snails: a new behavioural strategy in simultaneous hermaphroditism. Nature 308, 727–729 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1038/308727a0

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