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Colour polymorphism in idotea baltica from the Bay of Naples and its ecological significance

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2009

S. M. Guarino ,
C. Gambardella ,
M. Ianniruberto  and
M. de Nicola
S. M. Guarino
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Genetica, Biologia Generale e Molecolare dell'Università, Via Mezzocannone 8, 80134 Napoli & Stazione Zoologica di Napoli, Villa Comunale, I – 80121 Napoli, Italy
C. Gambardella
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Genetica, Biologia Generale e Molecolare dell'Università, Via Mezzocannone 8, 80134 Napoli & Stazione Zoologica di Napoli, Villa Comunale, I – 80121 Napoli, Italy
M. Ianniruberto
Affiliation:
Istituto di Oceanologia dell'Istituto Universitario Navale di Napoli, via Acton 38, 80100 Napoli, Italy
M. de Nicola
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Genetica, Biologia Generale e Molecolare dell'Università, Via Mezzocannone 8, 80134 Napoli & Stazione Zoologica di Napoli, Villa Comunale, I – 80121 Napoli, Italy
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Extract

In order to elucidate the ecological significance of polychromatism in Idotea baltica (Crustacea: Isopoda), the distribution of the various phenotypes was studied for three consecutive years in a population from the Bay of Naples. The most abundant morphs were uniformis (males: 394%-100%; females: 24·6%-84·1%) and maculata (males: 0·59·8%; females: 0%·50%), their distribution varying throughout the year. The assessment of some biological characters (females size, fecundity and embryonic stages of development) did not show any differences accounting for preferential fitness of these phenotypes. Moreover, it was observed that phenotypic diversity in colour morphs followed seasonal changes in the substrate composition. In agreement with other investigators, it has been suggested that the camouflage function of polychromatism may have a fundamental role in the reduction of predation, and favour Idotea baltica colonizing a variety of changeable habitats.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 73 , Issue 4 , November 1993 , pp. 785 - 794
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 1993

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