Reproduction and population genetics of the New Zealand brooding brittle star Ophiomyxa brevirima

Garrett, Frank Kim

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Reproduction and population genetics of the New Zealand brooding brittle star Ophiomyxa brevirima

Garrett, Frank Kim

Cite this item: Garrett, F. K. (1994). Reproduction and population genetics of the New Zealand brooding brittle star Ophiomyxa brevirima (Thesis, Master of Science). University of Otago. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10523/2962

Permanent link to OUR Archive version: http://hdl.handle.net/10523/2962

Date: 1994

Advisor: Mladenov, Philip; Wallis, Graham

Degree Name: Master of Science

Degree Discipline: Marine Science

Publisher: University of Otago

Research Type: Thesis

Languages: English

Abstract:

A study of the reproductive mechanism of the brooding brittle star Ophiomyxa brevirima (H. L. Clark) was first undertaken. Isozyme electrophoresis was employed to uncover the genetic relationship of parent to offspring, aiding interpretation of the observed genetic structures of populations separated by geographic distance. The genetic structure of four intertidal populations of this ophiuroid was investigated by examination of variation at seven polymorphic loci. Mean levels of heterozygosity ranged from 0.238 to 0.332. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was observed at all but one locus in all populations. Values of Nei's unbiased genetic identity (I), distance (D) and standardised genetic variation between populations (F(ST)) were used to analyse the connectedness of populations assessed. These values suggested moderate connectivity between populations. Measures of genotypic diversity were used to interpret the degree of clonal structuring within each population.