Non-reductional spermatozoa in three shell color types of the freshwater clam Corbicula fluminea in Taiwan

Abstract

We found three distinct shell color types in samples of the freshwater clam Corbicula fluminea Müller collected at Hou Don, Keelung, Taiwan. DNA microfluorometric analysis revealed that these three types consisted of both diploids and triploids. DNA microfluorometry on sperm and somatic cells showed that both diploid and triploid produced non-reductional spermatozoa. These characteristics are similar to triploid C. leana Prime sampled in Japan. These findings suggest that Corbicula fluminea at different ploidy levels may be reproducing by androgenesis as already shown in C. leana from Japan.