Skip to main content
Log in

Nucella lapillus: A possible model for the study of genetic variation in natural populations

  • Published:
Genetica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The explanation of the maintenance of the large amount of genetic variation in natural populations is a major problem faced by evolutionary geneticists. It is proposed that Nucella lapillus would make a suitable model for the study of this problem. The presence of visible interpopulation variation in characteristics which can be utilised for such studies, is demonstrated at a particular geographic location. The importance of experimental design in studying genetic variation is emphasised.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agersborg, H. P. K., 1929. Factors in the evolution of the prosobranchiate Mollusc, Thais lapillus. Nautilus 43: 45–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berry, R. J. & Crothers, J. H., 1974. Visible variation in the dog-whelk. Nucella lapillus. J. Zool. Lond. 174: 123–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bantock, C. R. & Cockayne, W. C., 1975. Chromosomal polymorphism in Nucella lapillus. Heredity 34: 231–245.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, B. C., 1969. The evidence for apostatic selection. Heredity 24: 347–352.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, B. C., 1979. The evolution of genetic diversity. Proc. R. Soc., B 205: 453–474.

    Google Scholar 

  • Colton, H. S., 1922. Variation in the dog-whelk. Thais (Purpura Auct.) lapillus. Ecology 3: 146–157.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crothers, J. H., 1973. On variation in Nucella lapillus (L): shell shape in populations from Pembrokeshire, South Wales. Proc. maloc. Soc. Lond. 40: 319–327.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crothers, J. H., 1974a. On variation in Nucella lapillus (L): shell shape in populations from the Bristol Channel. Proc. malac. Soc. Lond. 41: 157–170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crothers, J. H., 1974b. On variation in the shell of the dog-whelk, Nucella lapillus (L) I. Pembrokeshire. Ad. Stud. 4: 39–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crothers, J. H., 1975. On variation in Nucella lapillus: shell shape in populations from the south coast of England. Proc. malac. Soc. Lond. 141: 489–498.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ebling, F. J. et al., 1964. The ecology of Lough Ine XIII. Experimental observations of the destruction of Mytilus edulis and Nucella lapillus by crabs. J. Anim. Ecol. 33: 73–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, K. J. R., 1977. Evolution in modern biology. Arnold, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feare, C. J., 1970. Aspects of the ecology of an exposed shore population of dogwhelks. Nucella lapillus (L) Oecologia (Berl.) 5: 1–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feare, C. J., 1971. The adaptive significance of aggregation behaviour in the dogwhelk, Nucella Lapillus (L.). Oecologia (Berl.) 7: 117–126.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ford, E. B., 1975. Ecological genetics. 4th ed., Chapman & Hall, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fretter, V. & Graham, A., 1962. British prosobranch molluscs. Ray Society, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gillespie, J., 1977. A general model to account for enzyme variation in natural populations. IV. Multiple alleles. Evolution, Lancaster, Pa. 31: 85–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gould, S. J. & Lewontin, R. C., 1979. The spandrels of San Marco and the Panglossian paradigm: a critique of the adaptionist programme. Proc. Roy. Soc. B 205: 581–598.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoxmark, R. C., 1971. Shell variation of Nucella lapillus in relation to environmental and genetical factors. Norw. J. Zool. 19: 145–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kimura, M., 1979. The neutral theory of molecular evolution. Scient. Am., 241(5): 94–105.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kitching, J. A., 1977. Shell form and niche occupation in Nucella lapillus (L) (Gastropoda). J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 26: 275–287.

    Google Scholar 

  • Largen, M. J., 1971. Genetic and environmental influences upon the expression of shell sculpture in the dog-whelk (Nucella lapillus). Proc. malac. Soc. Lond. 39: 383–388.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, H. B., 1936. The biology of Purpura lapillus. Shell variation in relation to environment. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 21: 61–89.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, D. G., 1968. Genetic aspects of population size reduction. Nature, Lond. 220: 1084–1088.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sheppard, P. M., 1959. Blood groups and natural selection. Br. med. Bull. 15: 134–139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sheppard, P. M., 1978. Natural selection and heredity. Fourth edition. Hutchinson, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Staiger, H., 1957. Genetical and morphological variation in Purpura lapillus with respect to local and regional differentiation of population groups. Ann. appl. Biol. 33: 251–258.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thoday, J. M., 1972. Disruptive selection. Proc. R. Soc. 182: 109–147.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Castle, S.L., Emery, A.E.H. Nucella lapillus: A possible model for the study of genetic variation in natural populations. Genetica 56, 11–15 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00126924

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00126924

Keywords

Navigation