Effect of sex on ratios and concentrations of DNA and RNA in three marine species

Chicharo, Alexandra; Amaral, Ana Margarida Araújo; Morais, P.; Chícharo, Luís

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/2412

Use this identifier to reference this record.

Name:	Description:	Size:	Format:
sex effect rd m332p241.pdf		79.27 KB	Adobe PDF	Download

Send Feedback

Authors

Chicharo, Alexandra

Amaral, Ana Margarida Araújo

Morais, P.

Chícharo, Luís

Abstract(s)

The aim of the present study was to quantify differences in RNA:DNA ratios between male and female fish Pomatoschistus microps, crustaceans Crangon crangon, and bivalves Ruditapes decussatus. RNA:DNA ratios were greater in females than in males, especially because of a greater RNA content per unit dry weight in females. Sexual dimorphism in addition to physiological and behavioural differences between males and females may account for these results. RNA:DNA ratios of adult marine organisms should be interpreted with caution, because the effect of sex on nucleic acid concentrations may bias results if the sex ratio in the sample from which results were derived is not representative of the population.

Keywords

RNA : DNA ratio Sex Pomatoschistus microps Crangon crangon Ruditapes decussatus Decussatus

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/2412

Citation

Chicharo, M. A.; Amaral, A.; Morais, P.; Chicharo, L. M. Z. Effect of sex on ratios and concentrations of DNA and RNA in three marine species, Marine Ecology Progress Series, 332, 241-245, 2007.