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Morphological variation in Nereis (Neanthes) virens (Polychaeta: Nereididae) populations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 October 2004

Sophie Breton
Affiliation:
Laboratoire de Biologie Évolutive, Département de Biologie, Université du Québec à Rimouski, 300 Allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, Quebec, G5L 3A1, Canada
France Dufresne
Affiliation:
Laboratoire de Biologie Évolutive, Département de Biologie, Université du Québec à Rimouski, 300 Allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, Quebec, G5L 3A1, Canada
Gaston Desrosiers
Affiliation:
Institut des Sciences de la Mer (ISMER), Université du Québec à Rimouski, 310 Allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, Quebec, G5L 3A1, Canada
Pierre Blier
Affiliation:
Laboratoire de Biologie Évolutive, Département de Biologie, Université du Québec à Rimouski, 300 Allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, Quebec, G5L 3A1, Canada

Abstract

The intraspecific variation in the number and distribution of paragnaths in ten populations of Nereis (Neanthes) virens collected throughout its range was examined. Significant differences among populations are found in the total number of paragnaths and in each paragnath group. The unweighted pair-group method using arithmetic averages cluster analysis revealed three distinct clusters separating Canadian populations, Europe/USA populations and the Japanese population, suggesting the implication of either restricted gene flow, selection on paragnath patterns or phenotypic plasticity. Comparison with a previous genetic study suggests that morphological variants represent ecotypes of the single, widely distributed N. virens species.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2004 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

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