Abstract
The genetic structure of four species of obligate cave-dwelling carabid beetles, occurring in two plateau karsts, was examined using gel electrophoresis of proteins. Geological features, in particular streams and rivers, appear to be strong barriers to gene flow in both karst regions. Additional genetic differentiation among populations, which is not obviously related to geological features, occurs in both plateaus. As a result, gene flow levels in these species are generally lower than those reported for similar surface-dwelling species in the same geographical area.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Barr, T C. Jr. 1960. Introduction (Symposium: Speciation and Raciation in Cavernicoles). Am Mid Nat, 64, 1–9.
Barr, T C. JR. 1967. Observations on the ecology of caves. Am Nat, 101, 475–492.
Barr, T C. JR. 1968. Cave ecology and the evolution of troglobites. In: Dobzhansky, T., Hecht, M. K. and Steere, W. C. (eds) Evolutionary Biology, Plenum Press, New York, pp. 35–102.
Barr, T C. JR. 1979. The taxonomy, distribution and affinities of Neaphaenops with notes on associated species of Pseudanophthalmus (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Am Mus Nov, 2682.
Barr, T C. JR. 1981. The cavernicolous carabid beetles of North America. In: Proceedings of the Eighth International Congress of Speleology, Bowling Green. KY. 1, 343–344.
Barr, T C. JR. 1985. Pattern and process in speciation of trechine beetles in eastern North America (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Trechinae). In: G. E. Ball (ed.) Taxonomy, Phytogeny and Zoogeography of Beetles and Ants, Dr W. Junk Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, pp. 350–407.
Barr, T C, Jr 1990. Ecology and evolution of cave faunas. In: Hamilton, S. W. and Finley, M. T. (eds) Proceedings of the Third Annual Symposium on the Natural History of Lower Tennessee and Cumberland River Valleys. Center for Field Biology, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN, pp. 1–19.
Barr, T C. JR, and Holsinger, J L. 1985. Speciation in cave faunas. Ann Rev Ecol Syst, 16, 313–337.
Brewer, G J. 1970. An Introduction to Isozyme Techniques. Academic Press, New York.
Caccone, A. 1985. Gene flow in cave arthropods: a qualitative and quantitative approach. Evolution, 39, 1223–1235.
Caccone, A, and Sbordoni, V. 1987. Molecular evolutionary divergence among North American cave crickets. I. Allozyme variation. Evolution, 41, 1198–1214.
Hames, D B, and Rickwood, D. 1981. Gel Electrophoresis of Proteins: a Practical Approach. IRL Press Ltd, Oxford.
Harris, H, and Hopkinson, D A. 1976. Handbook of Enzyme Electrophoresis in Human Genetics. American Elsevier Publishing Co., New York.
Hubbell, T H, and Norton, R M. 1978. The systematics and biology of the cave crickets of the North American Tribe Hadenoecini (Orthoptera Saltatoria: Ensifera: Rhaphidophoridae; Dolichopodinae). Miscellaneous Publications Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 156, 124p.
Kane, T C, and Brunner, G D. 1986. Geographic variation in the cave beetle Neaphaenops tellkampfi (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Psyche, 93, 231–251.
Kane, T C, Barr, T C. JR, and Stratton, G E. 1990. Genetic patterns and population structure in Appalachian Trechus of the vandykei group (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Brimleyana, 16, 133–150.
Laing, C D, Carmody, G R, and Peck, S B. 1976a. How common are sibling species in cave inhabiting invertebrates? Am Nat, 110, 181–184.
Laing, C D, Carmody, G R, and Peck, S B. 1976b. Population genetics and evolutionary biology of the cave beetle Ptomaphagus hirtus. Evolution, 30, 484–498.
Liebherr, J K. 1988. Gene flow in ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) of differing habitat preference and flight-wing development. Evolution, 42, 129–137.
Marsh, T G. 1969. Ecological and behavioral studies of the cave beetle Darlingtonea kentuckensis. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Kentucky, Lexington.
Ortec. 1972. Electrophoresis System Operating and Service Manual. Ortec Inc., Oak Ridge, TN.
Shaw, C R, and Prasad, R. 1970. Starch gel electrophoresis of enzymes — a compilation of recipes. Biochem Genet, 4, 297–320.
Slatkin, M. 1981. Estimating levels of gene flow in natural populations. Genetics, 99, 323–335.
Slatkin, M, and Barton, N H. 1989. A comparison of three indirect methods for estimating average levels of gene flow. Evolution, 43, 1349–1368.
Swofford, D L, and Selander, R B. 1981. BIOSYS-1: a FORTRAN program for the comprehensive analysis of electrophoretic data in population genetics and systematics. J Hered, 72, 281–283.
Trexler, J C. 1988. Hierarchical organization of genetic variation in the Sailfin Molly, Poecilia latipinna (Pisces: Poeciliidae). Evolution, 42, 1006–1017.
Wright, S. 1931. Evolution in Mendelian populations. Genetics, 16, 97–159.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kane, T., Barr, T. & Badaracca, W. Cave beetle genetics: geology and gene flow. Heredity 68, 277–286 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.1992.40
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.1992.40