Shape based assignment tests suggest transgressive phenotypes in natural sculpin hybrids (Teleostei, Scorpaeniformes, Cottidae).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hybridization receives attention because of the potential role that it may play in generating evolutionary novelty. An explanation for the emergence of novel phenotypes is given by transgressive segregation, which, if frequent, would imply an important evolutionary role for hybridization. This process is still rarely studied in natural populations as samples of recent hybrids and their parental populations are needed. Further, the detection of transgressive segregation requires phenotypes that can be easily quantified and analysed. We analyse variability in body shape of divergent populations of European sculpins (Cottus gobio complex) as well as natural hybrids among them.

Results

A distance-based method is developed to assign unknown specimens to known groups ba

SUBMITTER: Nolte AW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1198242 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature