Ref ID : 1912
Andreas Anlauf and Dietrich Neumann; The genetic variability of Tubifex tubifex (Muller) in 20 populations and its relation to habitat type. Arch.Hydrobiol. 139(2):145-162, 1997
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The genetic variability of twenty populations of the oligochaete Tubifix tubifex was analysed using horizontal starch gel electophoresis. The worms were collected from the profundal zone of nine lakes and 11 shallow creeks or pool classified into four habitat types (I: lakes without an anoxic profundal, II: lakes with an extended anoxic period, III: creeks, IV: ponds). Genetic variability, particularly the effective number of alleles, was higher in shallow waters than in lakes. Level of heterozygosis was lower in shallow waters, as expected, and was in good agreement to Hardy Weinberg expectations only in the lake populations. Genetic drift or a high percentage of parthenogenetic reproduction is assumed to be responsible for the high genetic heterogeneity of pool and pond populations (type III, IV). The cluster analysis of genetic similarity demonstrated a correlation between genetic similarity and hydrographic conditions of the habitats. The conditions occurring with long-term anoxia are presumed to effect the genetic constitution of long-lived populations.