Stobart, B., and Benzie, J.A.H. (1994) Allozyme electrophoresis demonstrates that the scleractinian coral Montipora digitata is two species. Marine Biology, 118 (2). pp. 183-190.

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Abstract

Allozyme electrophoresis at five loci was used to clarify the species status of two morphs of the scleractinian coral Montipora digitata (Dana, 1846), using specimens collected from three locations off the Queensland coast between October 1991 and April 1993. The two morphs, occurring sympatrically, were distinguished by one fixed gene difference at Locus LT-2 and frequency differences at three other loci, indicating reproductive isolation between them. Populations of both morphs were generally in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, suggesting that sexual reproduction does occur. Despite sampling designed to reduce the chance of collecting clonemates, the genetic diversity ratio (GO:GE) indicated that asexual reproduction also occurs. This is in agreement with the known modes of reproduction for this species. There was significant genetic differentiation between populations of one of the morphs of M. digitata. This could have been influenced by greater degrees of asexual reproduction in this morph, selection within sites, or variation in larval survival and recruitment patterns. Relatively low F (st) (differentiation among populations) values found for a broadcast spawning species during this study are in accordance with the hypothesis that brooded planulae are adapted for rapid settlement, whereas planulae produced by broadcast spawners are adapted for widespread dispersal.

Item ID:	27248
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1432-1793
Date Deposited:	29 May 2013 06:58
FoR Codes:	06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0604 Genetics > 060411 Population, Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics @ 33% 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0608 Zoology > 060803 Animal Developmental and Reproductive Biology @ 33% 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0603 Evolutionary Biology > 060301 Animal Systematics and Taxonomy @ 34%
SEO Codes:	97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970106 Expanding Knowledge in the Biological Sciences @ 50% 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960808 Marine Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity @ 50%
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