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Levels of genetic polymorphism at two enzyme encoding loci in eight species of the genus Macoma (Mollusca: Bivalvia)

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Abstract

Levels of genetic polymorphism were surveyed at two enzyme loci (LAP, PGI) in 2 intertidal and 6 subtidal species of the bivalve genus Macoma living in the waters of the San Juan Islands (Washington and Canada). The temporal environmental variability-genetic variability hypothesis predicts that intettidal species should have greater levels of genetic polymorphism than subtidal species. This is not true for the genus Macoma. However, at the PGI locus, genetic polymorphism was proportional to niche breadth in both the intertidal and subtidal species, but only for intertidal species at the LAP locus. These results support the contention that temporal environmental variability is not necessarily important in maintaining genetic variability, but that environmental heterogeneity may select for increased polymorphism at some loci.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth and Space Sciences, State University of New York, Stony Brook, New York, USA

    J. S. Levinton

  2. Department of Ecology and Evolution, State University of New York, Stony Brook, New York, USA

    J. S. Levinton

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  1. J. S. Levinton
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Communicated by M.R. Tripp, Newark

Contribution No. 139 to the Program in Ecology and Evolution, State University of New York at Stony Brook.

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Levinton, J.S. Levels of genetic polymorphism at two enzyme encoding loci in eight species of the genus Macoma (Mollusca: Bivalvia). Marine Biology 33, 41–47 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00394999

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00394999

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