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Genetic diversity of European populations of the invasive soft-shell clam Mya arenaria (Bivalvia)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 October 2004

Rafal Lasota ,
Herman Hummel  and
Maciej Wolowicz
Rafal Lasota
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Estuarine Ecology, Institute of Oceanography, Gdansk University, Al. Marszalka Pilsudskiego 46, 81–378 Gdynia, Poland
Herman Hummel
Affiliation:
Centre for Estuarine and Marine Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology, Korringaweg 7, 4401 NT Yerseke, The Netherlands
Maciej Wolowicz
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Estuarine Ecology, Institute of Oceanography, Gdansk University, Al. Marszalka Pilsudskiego 46, 81–378 Gdynia, Poland
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Abstract

The genetic diversity of the soft-shell clam Mya arenaria from seven locations in Europe (two stations in the southern Baltic Sea (the Gulf of Gdansk) and two in the North Sea (Veerse Meer and Oosterschelde), and three additional stations in the Denmark Straits and Bay of Biscay) was determined using starch gel electrophoresis of allozymes. The results showed a low level of genetic variability and a lack of genetic differentation among the populations studied. Basic polymorphism characteristics calculated for populations from the North Sea estuaries and the Gulf of Gdansk were: He 0·094–0·145, Ho 0·092–0·130, percentage of polymorphic loci 33 (0·95 criterion), mean number of alleles per locus 2·0–2·7. The mean value of FST was 0·0133 and not significant. It is concluded that in spite of a low level of genetic polymorphism the soft-shell clam is a successful colonizer. The genetic homogeneity among the populations reflects rapid population extension, alleles neutrality and a high gene flow.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 84 , Issue 5 , October 2004 , pp. 1051 - 1056
Copyright
2004 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

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