Environment-specific heterozygote deficiency and developmental instability in hybrid Mytilus

Authors

Stevan A. Springer, University of Washington
Daniel D. Heath, University of Windsor

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2007

Publication Title

Marine Biology Research

Volume

3

First Page

182

Keywords

Developmental stability, environment-dependent selection, heterozygote deficiency, Mytilus

Last Page

187

Abstract

The multiple discrete hybrid zones that characterize Mytilus blue mussels allow a novel, non-manipulative, examination of the selective pressures that create and maintain species. If endogenous genetic incompatibility is solely responsible for postzygotic isolation, then individuals of a specified hybrid genotype are expected to show similar average fitness across environments. However, if hybrid fitness differs across environments, then exogenous selection is implicated, either via ecological selection or environment-specific expression of intrinsic genetic incompatibilities. Correspondence between developmental instability of hybrids and heterozygote deficiency, estimated in two M. trossulus x M. galloprovincialis hybrid zones on the coast of North America, indicates that environment-dependent selection against hybrids may contribute to reproductive isolation among Pacific Mytilus species.

DOI

10.1080/17451000701320564

Recommended Citation

Springer, Stevan A. and Heath, Daniel D.. (2007). Environment-specific heterozygote deficiency and developmental instability in hybrid Mytilus. Marine Biology Research, 3, 182-187.
https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/glierpub/172