Open AccessGenetic structure in a coastal dune spider ( Geolycosa pikei ) on Long Island, New York Barrier Islands
Author(s) -
Boulton April M.,
Ramirez Martin G.,
Blair Catherine P.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
biological journal of the linnean society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.906
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1095-8312
pISSN - 0024-4066
DOI - 10.1111/j.1095-8312.1998.tb01534.x
Subject(s) - biology , ephemeral key , spider , genetic drift , founder effect , genetic structure , barrier island , ecology , habitat , isolation by distance , evolutionary biology , genetic variability , gene flow , zoology , genetic variation , gene , genetics , fishery , allele , haplotype , genotype , shore
In this study, we analyse genetic structure among ten isolated populations of a sedentary burrowing wolf spider, Geolycosa pikei, collected from Long Island, New York barrier islands. Using allozyme electrophoresis to estimate gene frequencies at 12 loci, only four loci were polymorphic (i.e. Aat, Apk, Gpi, Idh‐1), and populations showed little differentiation (mean F sr =0.020). Contrary to stepping‐stone model predictions, the matrix of genetic distances among sites was not significantly associated with the physical distance matrix, which suggests that G. pikei on Long Island barriers does not adhere to a stepping‐stone model. Geolycosa pikei may be better dispersers than previously estimated and/or the ephemeral quality of the inlets may not allow for the development of significant inter‐populational genetic differences. In addition, geologic evidence suggests that these barriers became relatively stable only 8000 BP. Therefore, these habitats have been only recendy colonized, which may result in low genetic variability and inter‐populational differentiation possibly due to genetic drift from repeated and prolonged bottlenecks during recolonization (i.e. founder events).