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Chromosomal polymorphism in planarians (Turbellaria, Tricladida) and the plate tectonics of the western Mediterranean

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Abstract

In two populations of Dugesia (Schmidtea) mediterranea the third chromosome pair consists of two heteromorphous elements. This chromosomal polymorphism, which is common in other animal groups, was hitherto unknown in planarians.

The evolutionary and biogeographical significance of this chromosomal polymorphism is discussed, for the geographical distribution of the two aberrant populations may have relevance for the theories of microplate dispersal involving the western Mediterrancan.

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De Vries, E.J., Baguñà, J. & Ball, I.R. Chromosomal polymorphism in planarians (Turbellaria, Tricladida) and the plate tectonics of the western Mediterranean. Genetica 62, 187–191 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00056435

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00056435

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