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Clinal genetic variation and isolation by distance in the European eel Anguilla anguilla (L.)
Maes, G.E.; Volckaert, F.A.M.J. (2002). Clinal genetic variation and isolation by distance in the European eel Anguilla anguilla (L.). Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 77(4): 509-521. https://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1095-8312.2002.00124.x
In: Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. Academic Press: London; New York. ISSN 0024-4066; e-ISSN 1095-8312, more
Related to:
Maes, G.E.; Volckaert, F.A.M.J. (2005). Clinal genetic variation and isolation by distance in the European eel Anguilla anguilla (L.), in: Maes, G.E. Evolutionary consequences of a catadromous life-strategy on the genetic structure of European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.). pp. 85-100, more
Peer reviewed article  

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Keywords
    Aquatic organisms > Marine organisms
    Biology > Genetics > Population genetics
    Bioselection
    Enzymes > Allozymes
    Genetic diversity
    Anguilla anguilla (Linnaeus, 1758) [WoRMS]
    Atlantic North East [Marine Regions]
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    allozymes; Atlantic Ocean; genetic variation; marine organisms;population genetics; selection; spatial structure

Authors  Top 
  • Maes, G.E., more
  • Volckaert, F.A.M.J., more

Abstract
    The genetic variability and structure of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) in populations throughout Europe was reassessed using 15 allozymic loci, seven of which were polymorphic. Seven sites were sampled on a latitudinal gradient across the natural continental range, extending from southern France to southern Norway. Heterozygosity (He = 0.05) and level of polymorphism (P = 0.43) were comparable to other marine fish. Populations were poorly differentiated (GST = 0.014, FST = 0.002), which is not surprising considering the high dispersal capability of the European eel. However, a significant geographical cline was detected at two alleles (IDh-1*100 and GPI-1*110), andgenetie distances (DCE) were concordant with geographical coastal distances. Mantel tests, pairwise FST's and multidimensional scaling analyses identify three distinct groups: Northern Europe, Western Europe and the Mediterranean Sea. We propose that the clinal genetic structure in the European eel may be due to (1) isolation by distance (as recently detected with microsatellites), (2) temporal reproductive separation, (3) post-larval selective forces, (4) contact between formerly separated groups or (5) some combination thereof.

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