Phenotypic plasticity and genetic isolation-by-distance in the freshwater mussel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Unio pictorum</Emphasis> (Mollusca: Unionoida) |
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Authors: | A Zieritz J I Hoffman W Amos D C Aldridge |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK |
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Abstract: | Freshwater mussels (Unionoida) show high intraspecific morphological variability, and some shell morphological traits are
believed to be associated with habitat conditions. It is not known whether and which of these ecophenotypic differences reflect
underlying genetic differentiation or are the result of phenotypic plasticity. Using 103 amplified fragment length polymorphism
(AFLP) markers, we studied population genetics of three paired Unio pictorum populations sampled from two different habitat types (marina and river) along the River Thames. We found genetic differences
along the Thames which were consistent with a pattern of isolation by distance and probably reflect limited dispersal via
host fish species upon which unionoid larvae are obligate parasites. No consistent genetic differences were found between
the two different habitat types suggesting that morphological differences in the degree of shell elongation and the shape
of dorso-posterior margin are caused by phenotypic plasticity. Our study provides the first good evidence for phenotypic plasticity
of shell shape in a European unionoid and illustrates the need to include genetic data in order properly to interpret geographic
patterns of morphological variation. |
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