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Genetic structure among populations of Potamonautes perlatus (Decapoda: Potamonautidae) from the Olifants River system in the Western Cape, South Africa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 October 1999

Savel R. Daniels ,
Barbara A. Stewart  and
Mark J. Gibbons
Savel R. Daniels
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X 17, Bellville, 7535, South Africa
Barbara A. Stewart
Affiliation:
South African Museum, P.O. Box 61, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa Department of Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag XI, Matieland, 7602, South Africa
Mark J. Gibbons
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X 17, Bellville, 7535, South Africa
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Abstract

Populations of Potamonautes perlatus were sampled at various points along the Olifants Rivers (220 km), in the Western Cape to examine the degree of genetic variation. Allozyme electrophoresis revealed a near fixed allelic difference at one locus and extensive differentiation at another locus between populations from the upper and lower reaches of the Olifants River system. Limited hybridization in the region of population sympatry was observed. The narrow hybrid zone and the low occurrence of hybrids suggest selection against hybrids. These results provide evidence for two genetically distinct freshwater crab populations. We concluded that the genetic divergence between the two population groups represents a species boundary between the two populations.

Keywords

Potamonautes perlatusfreshwater crabgenetic variationallozymeshybridization
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Zoology , Volume 249 , Issue 2 , October 1999 , pp. 137 - 142
Copyright
© 1999 The Zoological Society of London

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