Interspecific comparisons of genetic population structure in members of the Jaera albifrons species complex

Marked genetic differentiation in the intertidal isopod, Jaera albifrons (Crustacea: Isopoda) has been shown to occur on a scale of just a few metres on British shores. Allozyme electrophoresis at 21 enzyme-coding loci has been employed to examine genetic structure in other UK members of the complex (Jaera forsmani, J. ischiosetosa, J. praehirsuta), and explore the relationship between genetic diversity and perceived niche-width. Comparisons were made with the nonsibling species J. nordmanni. Three subpopulations of each species taken from each of two shores on Anglesey, UK (subpopulations N=30) were assayed for electrophoretic variability. Data from 11 polymorphic loci (P-0.95) demonstrated marked genetic differentiation in all populations of J. albifrons and J. praehirsuta, and on one shore for each of J. ischiosetosa and J. nordmanni, with J. praehirsuta (G(ST)=0.207) and J. albifrons (G(ST)=0.121) showing the highest genetic differentiation. In contrast, J. forsmani exhibited population homogeneity on both shores studied. Genetic diversity ranged markedly across species (H-0=0.165-0.040), with the two most widely distributed species, J. albifrons (H-0=0.135) and J. ischiosetosa (H-0=0.165) exhibiting the highest genetic variability, providing support for the niche-width variation hypothesis. Data indicate that although habitat fragmentation and direct development is associated with microgeographic differentiation in Jaera spp., localized factors such as habitat continuity and exposure to water movements determines the magnitude of such effects.