Abstract
Melampus bidentatus has restricted gene flow of gametes and the potential for extensive gene flow of their planktonic larvae. We used genetic data to examine the influence of these opposing forces on the population structure of six Delmarva Peninsular populations. We analyzed the population structure of these six populations using twenty-three electrophoretic loci. Two ocean populations gave the appearance of large panmictic populations, while the other four populations appeared to be highly subdivided due to either restricted gene flow or age-structuring of the population. Two distinct groups of populations are apparent, which accounts for the extreme interpopulation heterogeneity. These data suggest that the direction of tides and currents limit the effectiveness of the planktonic dispersal stage of M. bidentatus in overcoming restricted gene flow of gametes.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ayala, F. J., 1975. Genetic differentiation during the speciation process. In: Evolutionary biology 8: 1–78. T.Dobzhansky, M. K.Hecht & W. C.Steere, eds. Plenum Press, New York.
Ayala, F. L., Powell, J. R., Mourao, G. A. & Perez-Salas, S., 1972. Enzyme variability in the Drosophila willistoni group. IV. Genic variations in populations of Drosophila willistoni. Genetics 70: 113–139.
Buroker, N. E., Hershberger, W. K. & Chew, K. K., 1979. Population genetics of the family Ostreidac I. Intraspecific studies of Crassostrea gigas and Saccostrea commercialis. Mar. Biol. 54: 157–169.
Charlesworth, B., 1980. Evolution in age-structured populations. Cambridge University Press, New York.
Endler, J. A., 1977. Geographic variation, speciation and clines. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey.
Holle, P. A. & Dineen, C. F., 1957. Life history of the salt marsh snail, Melampus bidentatus Say. Nautilus 70: 90–95.
Koehn, R. K., Bayne, B. L., Moore, M. N. & Siebenaller, J. F., 1980. Salinity related physiological and genetic differences between populations of Mytilis edulis. Biol. J. Linnean Society 14: 319–334.
Koehn, R. K., Milkman, R. & Mitton, J. B., 1976. Population genetics of marine pelecypods. IV. Selection, migration, and genetic differentiation in the blue mussel Mytilus edulis. Evolution 30: 2–32.
Levene, H., 1953. Genetic equilibrium when more than one ecological niche is available. Am. Nat. 87: 331–333.
Levin, D. A. & Kerster, H. W., 1974. Gene flow in seed plants. In: Evolution Biology 7: 139–220. T.Dobzhansky & M. K.Hecht, eds, Plenum Press, New York.
McCracken, G. F. & Brussard, P. F., 1980. The population biology of the white-lipped snail, Triodopsis albolabris: Genetic variability. Evolution 34: 92–104.
Nei, M., Genetic distance between populations. Am. Nat. 106: 283–292.
Nevo, E., 1978. Genetic variation in natural populations: Patterns and theory. Theor. Pop. Biol. 13: 121–177.
Russell-Hunter, W. D., Apley, M. L. & Hunter, R. D., 1972. Early life history of Melampus and the significance of semilunar synchrony. Biol. Bull. 143: 623–656.
Schaeffer, S. W., 1980. Genetic variation of the salt marsh snall (Melampus bidentatus) around the southern Delmarva peninsula. M.S. Thesis, West Virginia University, Morgantown, W.V.
Schaal, B., 1975. Population structure and local differentiation in Liatris cylindracea. Am. Nat. 109: 511–528.
Scheltema, R. S., 1975. Relationship of larval dispersal, gene flow and natural selection to geographic variation of benthic invertebrates in estuaries and along coastal regions. In: Estuarine research: Chemistry, biology and the estuarine system. L. E.Cronin, ed., Academic Press, New York.
Selander, R. K., 1976. Genie variation in natural populations. In: Molecular evolution. F. J.Ayala ed., Sinauer Associates, Inc., Sunderland, Massachusetts.
Sneath, P. H. A. & Sokal, R. R., 1973. Numerical taxonomy. W. H. Freeman, San Francisco.
Workman, P. L. & Niswander, J. D., 1970. Population studies on southwestern Indian tribes. II. Local genetic differentiation in the Papago. Am. J. Human Genet. 22: 24–49.
Wright, S., 1943. Isolation by distance. Genetics 38: 114–138.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schaeffer, S.W., Keller, E.C. & Buroker, N.E. Population genetics of Melampus bidentatus (Gastropoda: Pulmonata): the effect of planktonic development on gene flow. Genetica 66, 223–229 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00128043
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00128043