Asexual reproduction and molecular systematics of the sea anemone Anthopleura krebsi (Actiniaria: Actiniidae)

Rev Biol Trop. 2003 Mar;51(1):147-54.

Abstract

In this paper we use allozyme analyses to demonstrate that individuals in Anthopleura krebsi aggregates are monoclonal. Additionally, sympatric samples of the red and the green colour-morphs of A. krebsi from Pernambuco, Brazil were genetically compared and no significant differences were observed between them (gene identity = 0.992), indicating that they do not belong to different biological species. All individuals within aggregates of the green colour-morph were found to be identical over the five polymorphic loci analysed. Such results would be extremely unlikely (P < 10(-11)) if the individuals analysed had been generated through sexual reproduction, thus confirming the presence of asexual reproduction in this species.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brazil
  • Genetic Markers
  • Isoenzymes / genetics*
  • Reproduction, Asexual / genetics
  • Reproduction, Asexual / physiology*
  • Sea Anemones / enzymology
  • Sea Anemones / genetics
  • Sea Anemones / physiology*

Substances

  • Genetic Markers
  • Isoenzymes