Multilocus genetic analyses differentiate between widespread and spatially restricted cryptic species in a model ascidian.

ABSTRACT: Elucidating the factors that shape species distributions has long been a fundamental goal in ecology and evolutionary biology. In spite of significant theoretical advancements, empirical studies of range limits have lagged behind. Specifically, little is known about how the attributes that allow species to expand their ranges and become widespread vary across phylogenies. Here, we studied the ascidian Botryllus schlosseri, a worldwide invasive species that is also characterized by marked genetic subdivision. Our study includes phylogenetic and population genetic data based on mitochondrial and nuclear genes, as well as polymorphic microsatellites for B. schlosseri colonies sampled from the southern and northern coasts of Europe and the eastern and western coasts of North America. We demons

SUBMITTER: Bock DG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3350675 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature