Origins of two hemiclonal hybrids among three species (Teleostei: Hexagrammidae): genetic diversification through host switching.

Two natural, hemiclonal hybrid strains were discovered in three species. The natural hybrids, all of which were females that produced haploid eggs containing only the genome (maternal ancestor; hereafter ), generated F hybrid-type offspring by fertilization with haploid sperm of or (paternal species; and , respectively). This study was performed to clarify the extent of diversification between the two hybrids and the maternal ancestor.