Ref ID : 7268
T. Ryan Gregory and Paul D.N. Hebert; Genome size estimates for some oligochaete annelids. Can.J.Zool. 80:1485-1489, 2002
Reprint
In File
Notes
Haploid genome sizes (C-values) were estimated for 12 species of freshwater oligochaetes (families Naididae and Tubificidae) and 15 species of earthworms (families Lumbricidae and Megascolecidae). Aquatic worms ranged in genome size from about 0.8 to 7.6 pg, while earthworms varied from approximately 0.4 to 1.2 pg. Interspecific differences in nuclear DNA content did not appear to be linked to variation in chromosome number, but there was evidence of cryptopolyploidy in the aquatic worms. No correlations were found between genome size and either body size or life-history traits, although there may be an association between higher DNA content and parthenogenetic reproduction in earthworms.