Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Mytilus edulis species complex in southwest England: effects of hybridization and introgression upon interlocus associations and morphometric variation

  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Loglinear analysis of electrophoretic data from two hybrid Mytilus edulis x galloprovincialis populations in southwest England revealed non-significant associations between genotypes at four allozyme loci, each of which is partially diagnostic for differences between the two taxa. Significant non-random genotypic associations within the context of the non-significant model involved all four assayed loci equally, consistent with their occurrence in a relatively tight linkage group. Multivariate analyses were used to examine electrophoretic variation from the two hybrid populations, and morphometric variation in the hybrid populations and in four allopatric (two M. edulis and two M. galloprovincialis) populations from western Europe While the number of hybrid mussels is high at both sites (22% at Croyde, 53% at Whitsand) the two taxa have largely maintained the genetic differences which exist between them in allopatry. However, morphological differences between the taxa have been eroded for mussels within the hybrid zone, whereas these differences are quite pronounced for mussels from allopatric populations. It is proposed that each taxon within the genus maintains its genetic identity, despite high dispersal potential, widespread hybridization, and high levels of introgression, as a result of adaptation to different environments. The worlwide occurrence of all four Mytilus hybrid zones at ecotones between recognized biogeographical provinces which are characterized by differences in temperature and salinity is consistent with such an interpretation.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arnold J (1993) Cytonuclear disequilibria in hybrid zones. A Rev Ecol Syst 24:521–554

    Google Scholar 

  • Barton NH, Bengtsson BO (1986) The barrier to genetic exchange between hybridizing populations. Heredity, Lond 56:357–376

    Google Scholar 

  • Barton NH, Hewitt GM (1983) Hybrid zones as barriers to gene flow. Protein polymorphism: adaptive and taxonomic significance. In: Oxford GS, Rollinson D (eds) Systematics Association Special Volume No. 24. Academic Press, London and New York, pp 341–359

    Google Scholar 

  • Barton NH, Hewitt GM (1985) Analysis of hybrid zones. A Rev Ecol Syst 16:113–148

    Google Scholar 

  • Barton NH, Hewitt GM (1989) Adaptation, speciation and hybrid zones. Nature, Lond 341:497–503

    Google Scholar 

  • Battaglia B (1957) Ecological differentiation and incipient intraspecific isolation in marine copepods. Annėe biol 33: 259–268

    Google Scholar 

  • Beaumont AR (1994) Linkage studies in Mytilus edulis, the mussel. Heredity, Lond 72: 557–562

    Google Scholar 

  • Beaumont AR, Seed R, Garcia-Martinez P (1989) Electrophoretic and morphometric criteria for the identification of the mussels Mytilus edulis and M. galloprovincialis. Proc. 23rd Eur mar Biol Symp 1: 251–258 [Ryland JS, Tyler PA (eds) Olsen & Olsen, Fredensborg, Denmark]

    Google Scholar 

  • Briggs JC (1974) Marine zoogeography. McGraw-Hill, New York, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Bulnheim H-P, Gosling EM (1988) Population genetic structure of mussels from the Baltic Sea. Helgoländer Meeresunters 42: 113–129

    Google Scholar 

  • Campton DE (1987) Natural hybridization and introgression in fishes. In: Ryman N, Utter F (eds) Population genetics and fishery management. University of Washington Press, Seattle, Washington, pp 161–192

    Google Scholar 

  • Camptor DE, Utter FM (1985) Natural hybridization between steelhead trout (Salmo gairdneri) and coastal cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki clarki) in two Puget Sound streams. Can J Fish aquat Sciences 42: 110–119

    Google Scholar 

  • Coustau C, Renaud F, Delay B (1991a) Genetic characterization of the hybridization between Mytilus edulis and M. galloprovincialis on the Atlantic coast of France. Mar Biol 111: 87–93

    Google Scholar 

  • Coustau C, Renaud F, Maillard C, Pasteur N, Delay B (1991b) Differential susceptibility to a trematode parasite among genotypes of the Mytilus edulis/galloprovincialis complex. Genet Res 57: 207–212

    Google Scholar 

  • Gardner JPA (1992) Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lmk) (Bivalvia, Mollusca): the taxonomic status of the Mediterranean mussel. Ophelia 35: 219–243

    Google Scholar 

  • Gardner JPA (1994) The structure and dynamics of naturally occurring hybrid Mytilus edulis Linnaeus, 1758 and Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819 (Bivalvia: Mollusca) populations: review and interpretation. Arch Hydrobiol (Suppl 99. Monogr Beitr): 99: 37–71

    Google Scholar 

  • Gardner, JPA (1995) Developmental stability is not disrupted by extensive hybridization and introgression among populations of the marine bivalve molluscs Mytilus edulis (L.) and M. galloprovincialis (Lmk.) from south-west England. Biol J Linn Soc 54: 71–86

    Google Scholar 

  • Gardner JPA, Skibinski DOF (1988) Historical and size-dependent genetic variation in hybrid mussel populations. Heredity, Lond 61: 93–105

    Google Scholar 

  • Gardner JPA, Skibinski DOF (1990) Genotype-dependent fecundity and temporal variation of spawning in hybrid mussel (Mytilus) populations. Mar Biol 105: 153–162

    Google Scholar 

  • Gardner JPA, Skibinski DOF (1991a) Mitochondrial DNA and allozyme covariation in a hybrid mussel population. J exp mar Biol Ecol 149: 45–54

    Google Scholar 

  • Gardner JPA, Skibinski DOF (1991b) Biological and physical factors influencing genotype-dependent mortality in hybrid mussel populations. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 71: 235–243

    Google Scholar 

  • Gardner JPA, Skibinski DOF, Bajdik CD (1993) Shell growth and mortality differences between the marine mussels Mytilus edulis (L.), Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lmk.) and their hybrids from two sympatric populations in S.W. England. Biol Bull mar biol Lab, Woods Hole 185: 405–416

    Google Scholar 

  • Gosling EM (1984) The systematic status of Mytilus galloprovincialis in western Europe: a review. Malacologia 25: 551–568

    Google Scholar 

  • Gosling EM, Wilkins NP (1981) Ecological genetics of the mussels Mytilus edulis and Mytilus galloprovincialis on Irish coasts. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 4: 221–227

    Google Scholar 

  • Harrison RG (1990) Hybrid zones: windows on evolutionary process. Oxf Surv Evolut Biol 7: 69–128

    Google Scholar 

  • Happer BT (1957) Notes on Mytilus galloprovincialis LAMARCK in Great Britain. J mar biol Ass UK 36: 33–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Hewitt GM (1988) Hybrid zones — natural laboratories for evolutionary studies. Trends Ecol Evolut 3: 158–167

    Google Scholar 

  • Hilbish TJ, Bayne BL, Day A (1994) Genetics of physiological differentiation within the marine mussel genus Mytilus. Evolution 48: 267–286

    Google Scholar 

  • Koehn RK (1991) The genetics and taxonomy of species in the genus Mytilus. Aquaculture, Amsterdam 94: 125–145

    Google Scholar 

  • Lamb T, Avise JC (1987) Morphological variability in genetically defined categories of anuran hybrids. Evolution 41: 157–165

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayer MS, Mesler MR (1993) Morphometric evidence of hybrid swarms in mixed populations of Polystichum munitum and P. imbricans (Dryoperidaceae). Syst Bot 18: 248–260

    Google Scholar 

  • McDonald JH, Seed R, Koehn RK (1991) Allozymes and morphometric characters of three species of Mytilus in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, Mar Biol 111: 323–333

    Google Scholar 

  • Nason JD, Ellstrand NC, Arnold ML (1992) Patterns of hybridization and introgression in populations of oaks, manzanitas, and irises. Am J Bot 79: 101–111

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarver SK, Foltz DW (1993) Genetic population structure of a species' complex of blue mussels (Mytilus spp.) Mar Biol 117: 105–112

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarver SK, Loudenslager EJ (1991) The genetics of California populations of the blue mussel: further evidence for the existence of electrophoretically distinguishable species or subspecies. Biochem Syst Ecol 19: 183–188

    Google Scholar 

  • SAS Institute Inc (1987) SAS/STAT guide for personal computers. Release 6.03 edn. SAS Institute Inc., Cary, North Carolina, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Seed R (1992) Systematics, evolution and distribution of mussels belonging to the genus Mytilus: an overview. Am malac Bull 9: 123–137

    Google Scholar 

  • Skibinski DOF (1983) Natural selection in hybrid mussel populations. In: Oxford GS, Rollinson D (eds) Protein polymorphism: adaptive and taxonomic significance. Systematics Association Special Volume No. 24. Academic Press, London and New York, pp 283–298

    Google Scholar 

  • Skibinski DOF, Beardmore JA, Cross TF (1983) Aspects of the population genetics of Mytilus (Mytilidae: Mollusca) in the British Isles. Biol J Linn Soc 19: 137–183

    Google Scholar 

  • Skibinski DOF, Cross TF, Ahmad M (1980) Electrophoretic investigation of relationships in the marine mussels Modiolus modiolus L., Mytilus edulis L., and Mytilus galloprovincialis Lmk. Biol J Linn Soc 13: 65–73

    Google Scholar 

  • Tabachnick BG, Fidell LS (1989) Using multivariate statistics. 2nd edn. Harper & Row, New York, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Tedengren M, Andre C, Johannesson K, Kautsky N (1990) Genotypic and phenotypic differences between Baltic and North Sea populations of Mytilus edulis evaluated through reciprocal transplantations. III. Physiology. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 59: 221–227

    Google Scholar 

  • Väinölä R, Hvilsom MM (1991) Genetic divergence and a hybrid zone between Baltic and North Sea Mytilus populations (Mytilidae: Mollusca). Biol J Linn Soc 43: 127–148

    Google Scholar 

  • Varvio S-L, Koehn RK, Väinölä R (1988) Evolutionary genetics of the Mytilus edulis complex in the North Atlantic region. Mar Biol 98: 51–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Willis GL, Skibinski DOF (1992) Variation in strength of attachment to the substrate explains differential mortality in hybrid mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis and M. edulis) populations. Mar Biol 112: 403–408

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolf HG, Mort MA (1986) Inter-specific hybridization underlies phenotypic variability in Daphnia populations. Oecologia 68: 507–511

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Island Bay Marine Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand

    J. P. A. Gardner

Authors
  1. J. P. A. Gardner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Communicated by G.F. Humphrey, Sydney

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gardner, J.P.A. The Mytilus edulis species complex in southwest England: effects of hybridization and introgression upon interlocus associations and morphometric variation. Marine Biology 125, 385–399 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00346319

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00346319

Keywords

Search

Navigation