Sperm polymorphism and genetic divergence in the mussel Perumytilus purpuratus
Briones, C.; Guiñez, R.; Garrido, O.; Oyarzún, P.A.; Toro, J.E.; Pérez, M. (2012). Sperm polymorphism and genetic divergence in the mussel Perumytilus purpuratus. Mar. Biol. (Berl.) 159(8): 1865-1870. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00227-012-1952-3
In: Marine Biology: International Journal on Life in Oceans and Coastal Waters. Springer: Heidelberg; Berlin. ISSN 0025-3162; e-ISSN 1432-1793, more
|  |
| Authors | | Top |
- Briones, C.
- Guiñez, R.
- Garrido, O.
|
- Oyarzún, P.A.
- Toro, J.E.
- Pérez, M.
|
|
| Abstract |
For the first time in a marine bivalve species, geographic intraspecific variation in sperm morphology in the Chilean mussel, Perumytilus purpuratus, is reported. Samples were obtained in December 2010 from the rocky intertidal at three locations: Antofagasta (23º44'01.08''S, 70º26'26.11''W), Valparaíso (32º57'23.07''S, 71º33'01.86''W), and Valdivia (39°50'44.26''S, 73°25'51.99''W). Scanning electron microscopy was used to describe sperm traits, and genetic data were obtained by sequencing a 16S mtDNA 427-bp fragment. The results showed geographic intraspecific variation with two statistically significant patterns of genetically differentiated sperm morphologies. One genetic clade was found for Antofagasta and Valparaíso, displaying a unique sperm morphotype with a short acrosome accounting for 26 % of the head length, and the other from Valdivia, with a larger acrosome occupying 47 % of the head length. These results will lead to new research to distinguish among alternative hypotheses: the presence of cryptic species, incipient speciation, or a polymorphism in sperm traits of P. purpuratus. |
|
