Summary
The results of three experiments on the population genetics of the Australian beaked mussel, Brachidontes rostratus are discussed in relation to the data which are available on other mytilids. The experiments comprise studies of inter-population genetic differentiation, microgeographic variation of leucineamino-peptidase genotypic frequencies in samples taken along a transect of one population and microgeographic and temporal variation in malate dehydrogenase genotypic frequencies. Natural selection is shown to be the most probable determinant of genotypic frequencies in B. rostratus. Selective coefficients are temporally and spatially variable. In common with other mussels, B. rostratus shows a deficiency of heterozygotes at the LAP-1 locus. Eight explanations are considered for the persistence of polymorphism at this locus. It is concluded that frequency-dependent selection and temporally and spatially variable fitnesses should be further investigated in relation to the LAP-1 polymorphism although it is not presently possible to explain the general finding of LAP heterozygous deficits in mussels.
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Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements.-I would like to thank Dr M. J. Whitten for reading the drafts of the manuscript and for his supervision of the work on which the manuscript is based. I also thank Dr D. F. Gartside for his advice during the progress of the work. I wish to thank Ms L. Duff, Ms A. Graham and Mr E. Page for help in the production of the manuscript.
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This paper is dedicated to Dr G. C. Hipwell, Dr E. Davis, Dr U. Christopher and the Staff of the Royal North Shore Hospital.
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Colgan, D. Spatial and temporal variation in the genotypic frequencies of the mussel Brachidontes rostratus. Heredity 46, 197–208 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.1981.27
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.1981.27
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