The long-term consequences of hybridization between the two Daphnia species, D. galeata and D. dentifera, in mature habitats.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Ecological specializations such as antipredator defense can reinforce morphological and distributional divergence within hybridizing species. Two hybridizing species of Daphnia (D. galeata and D. dentifera) are distributed in both Japan and North America; however, these populations have a longer history in Japan than in North America due to the differing impact of the last glaciation on these two regions. We tested the hypothesis that this longer coexistence in Japan would lead to extensive genetic admixture in nuclear and mitochondrial DNA whilst the distinct morphological traits and distributional patterns would be maintained.

Results

The high level of correspondence among morphological traits, distribution, and mitochondrial and nuclear DNA types for the specim

SUBMITTER: Ishida S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3156774 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature