First evidence of multiple paternity in the blue shark (Prionace glauca).

Multiple paternity (MP) is defined as the behaviour in which females successfully mate with multiple males leading to offspring from different sires within the same litter. MP seems to be frequent and an evolutionary advantage in elasmobranchs. Here we report for the first time the occurrence of MP in the cosmopolitan blue shark Prionace glauca L. Our evidence, gathered via microsatellite genotyping of pregnant females and their embryos, suggest that MP is very frequent in this species. Knowledge of MP in P. glauca should help describe more precisely its reproductive biology and contribute to the management of its populations. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.