Data from: Paternity analysis of wood turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) reveals complex mating patterns

Mating system characteristics are of great importance as they may influence male and female reproductive success and reproductive isolation. The wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) is a terrestrial freshwater species listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Considering its conservation status and the paucity of information currently available on parentage relationship for the species, we performed a microsatellite analysis to study the mating system of wood turtles in the Shawinigan River (Québec). We sampled 38 clutches over two years (14 in 2006 and 24 in 2007), for a total of 248 offspring genotyped with seven microsatellite loci. The reconstructed genotypes of the fathers revealed that reproductive success in the sampled clutches varied greatly between males and are positively correlated with the number of mates and clutches sired. Frequency of multiple paternity was estimated at 37% through a consensus of three different estimation methods. Positive correlation was observed between the genetic diversity of clutches and the number of fathers. Repeat paternity, however, was observed in 88% of the clutches by the same female in successive years, which suggests either a frequent use of sperm storage, or re-mating with the same partner in successive years.交配系统特征具有重要研究价值，因其可影响雌雄个体的繁殖成功率与生殖隔离。木雕水龟（Glyptemys insculpta）是一种陆生淡水龟类，被世界自然保护联盟（International Union for Conservation of Nature）列为濒危物种。鉴于其濒危保护现状以及当前该物种亲子关系相关研究信息的匮乏，本研究以魁北克省肖维尼甘河的木雕水龟为研究对象，通过微卫星（microsatellite）分析对其交配系统展开研究。本研究在两年间共采集了38个产卵窝：2006年14个，2007年24个，总计对248只幼体进行了7个微卫星位点的基因分型。重建的父本基因型结果显示，采样产卵窝的雄性繁殖成功率差异显著，且与配偶数量及所繁殖的产卵窝数呈正相关。通过三种不同估算方法的综合分析，多重父权（multiple paternity）的发生频率估算为37%。研究还发现，产卵窝的遗传多样性与父本数量呈正相关。然而，88%的产卵窝显示同一只雌性在连续年份中出现重复父权现象，这表明该物种要么频繁利用精子储存（sperm storage）策略，要么在连续年份中与同一雄性再次交配。