Sperm Wars: Some male abalone are more equal than others

摘要

While it's believed both parents contribute to the hatching success of abalone eggs, some South African researchers note in a report on their latest project that egg quality has been the main focus of attention in most reproductive studies to date, with little attention being paid to paternal contribution. That may change: according to Adelle Roux, Ruhan Slabbert and Rouvay Roodt-Wilding of Stellenbosch University in Matieland, and Gerhard van der Horst from the University of Western Cape, South Africa, who reported on their studies at the eighth International Abalone Symposium, held recently in Hobart, Australia.