Acid Phosphatase Polymorphism in European Shad (Fish: Clupeids)

Genetic polymorphism of acid phosphatases wasinvestigated in 11 populations of the two European Alosaspecies using isoelectric focusing after sampletreatment with neuraminidase. Two distinct loci, ACP1 and ACP2, were detected being ACP2 polymorphic.The observed genetic diversity between the species atthe ACP2 locus supports other studies which indicatethat A. alosa is the less polymorphic species of the two. This locus shows a higher geographicthan interspecific pattern of differentiation and theACP*2 allele is essentially confined to theMediterranean.