Intraspecific genetic variability of two goby species Pomatoschistus minutus (Pallas) and P. lozanoi (de Buen) from the Belgian and European Continental Shelf
Gysels, E.S.; Volckaert, F.A.M.J. (1998). Intraspecific genetic variability of two goby species Pomatoschistus minutus (Pallas) and P. lozanoi (de Buen) from the Belgian and European Continental Shelf. Biol. Jb. Dodonaea 65: 150-151
Beeckman, T.; Caemelbeke, K. (Ed.) (1998). Populations: Natural and manipulated, symposium organized by the Royal Society of Natural Sciences Dodonaea, University of Gent, 29 October 1997. Biologisch Jaarboek (Dodonaea), 65. Koninklijk Natuurwetenschappelijk Genootschap Dodonaea: Gent. 257 pp., more
Genetic variability within species is determined by natural selection, recombination, genetic drift and mutation. Gene flow, however, has a compensating effect on genetic differentiation. Marine fish are supposed to be less susceptible to geographical barriers and thus should show less genetic differentiation than fresh water species. However, many species of marine organisms do show a clear genetic structure due to heterogeneity of the environment and their life-history characteristics. The aim of the project is to obtain a better knowledge of the intraspecific genetic variability of two sympatric species of gobies : Pomatoschistus minutus (Pallas) and P. lozanoi (de Buen). A three-year during sampling program on the Belgian Continental Shelf is planned with samples taken at different times during the year at different sites in order to detect small-scale genetic variation. In addition, samples from the European Continental Shelf (coasts of Britain, Portugal and Norway) will be collected in order to investigate large-scale differentiation. Genetic variation will be assessed with a combination of allozyme electrophoresis, Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and analysis of sequence data of mtDNA. We suspect a certain level of genetic differentiation between populations of the northern and southern part of the European Continental Shelf as gene flow between those populations is likely to be limited (isolation by distance). As for the Belgian Continental Shelf, a long-shore and off-shore gradient in biotic and abiotic factors exists. This, along with its peculiar geomorphical structure (sand banks) which mayor may not form a barrier for dispersal of the gobies, could influence the genetic structure of local populations.
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