Genetic differentiation between cave and surface-dwelling populations of Garra barreimiae (Cyprinidae) in Oman.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Phenotypic similarities among cave-dwelling animals displaying troglomorphic characters (e.g. reduced eyes and lack of pigmentation) have induced a long-term discussion about the forces driving convergent evolution. Here we introduce Garra barreimiae Fowler & Steinitz, 1956, as an interesting system to study the evolution of troglomorphic characters. The only hitherto known troglomorphic population of this species lives in Al Hoota Cave (Sultanate of Oman) close to a surface population. As a first approach, we assessed the genetic differentiation between the two morphotypes of G. barreimiae to determine whether gene flow still occurs.

Results

We analysed the mitochondrial control region (CR). In G. barreimiae the CR starts immediately downstream of the tRNA-Thr ge

SUBMITTER: Kruckenhauser L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3146880 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature