摘要：SummaryIn the Australian redclaw crayfish,Cherax quadricarinatus(WZ/ZZ system), intersexuals, although exhibiting both male and female gonopores, are functional males bearing a female genotype (WZ males). Therefore, the occurrence of the unusual homogametic WW females in nature is plausible. We developed W/Z genomic sex markers and used them to investigate the genotypic structure of experimental and nativeC. quadricarinatuspopulations in Australia. We discovered, for the first time, the natural occurrence of WW females in crustacean populations. By modeling population dynamics, we found that intersexuals contribute to the growth rate of crayfish populations in the short term. Given the vastly fragmentedC. quadricarinatushabitat, which is characterized by drought-flood cycles, we speculate that intersexuals contribute to the fitness of this species since they lead to occasional increment in the population growth rate which potentially supports crayfish population restoration and establishment under extinction threats or colonization events.Graphical AbstractDisplay OmittedHighlights•Two sexes and four sexual genotypes are consequences of crayfish intersexuality•W/Z genomic sex markers were developed for the Australian redclaw crayfish•Homogametic WW females were found for the first time in crayfish populations•Intersexuals may contribute to fitness by increasing population growth ratezoology; genetics; genotyping; evolutionary biology
