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Genetic confirmation that intertidal and subtidal morphs of Patella ulyssiponensis aspera Röding (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Patellidae) are conspecific
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Patella ulyssiponensis aspera Röding (mais conhecida por P. aspera Röding). espécie de lapa intensamente explorada nos Açores, apresenta uma distribuição descontinua, ocorrendo nas zonas intertidal e subtidal. Como tal, esta espécie exibe duas formas ecológicas que podem ser distinguidas pela morfologia da concha. Este trabalho analisa a variação morfológica e genérica destas duas formas. Os espécimes subtidais são caracterizados por conchas significativamente maiores e rádulas menores que os intertidais, contrastando com o baixo nível de divergência genética (l = 0.996) encontrado entre as duas populações. Os resultados sugerem que as formas ecológicas são conspecíficas e devem ser reconhecidas como um único "stock". Algumas considerações são abordadas quanto à distribuição bimodal desta espécie nos Açores.
ABSTRACT: The heavily exploited limpet species Patella ulyssiponensis aspera Röding (more widely known as P. aspera Röding) exhibits a largely discontinuous distribution in the Azores, occurring in the intertidal and subtidal zones. As a result two "habitat" morphs can be distinguished with respect to shell morphology. This paper examines the morphological and genetic variation of the two forms. Subtidal specimens were found to possess, on average, significantly larger shells but shorter radulae than intertidal specimens did. Despite these marked morphological differences, very low levels of genetic divergence (l = 0.996) were found between the two populations. This suggests that the two habitat morphs are conspecific and should be regarded as one breeding unit. Possible explanations of the bimodal distribution of this species to the Azores are considered.
ABSTRACT: The heavily exploited limpet species Patella ulyssiponensis aspera Röding (more widely known as P. aspera Röding) exhibits a largely discontinuous distribution in the Azores, occurring in the intertidal and subtidal zones. As a result two "habitat" morphs can be distinguished with respect to shell morphology. This paper examines the morphological and genetic variation of the two forms. Subtidal specimens were found to possess, on average, significantly larger shells but shorter radulae than intertidal specimens did. Despite these marked morphological differences, very low levels of genetic divergence (l = 0.996) were found between the two populations. This suggests that the two habitat morphs are conspecific and should be regarded as one breeding unit. Possible explanations of the bimodal distribution of this species to the Azores are considered.
Description
Keywords
Lapa Açores Limpet Azores
Pedagogical Context
Citation
CORTE-REAL, Helena B.S.M., Stephen J. HAWKINS & John THORPE (1992). Genetic confirmation that intertidal and subtidal morphs of Patella ulyssiponensis aspera Röding (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Patellidae) are conspecific. "Arquipélago. Boletim da Universidade dos Açores: Ciências da Natureza", 10: 55-66.