Genetic polymorphism inProteocephalus exiguusshown by enzyme electrophoresis

Abstract

AbstractEnzyme electrophoresis has been used to examine genetic diversity in a population ofProteocephalus exiguusLa Rue, 1911 (Cestoda: Proteocephalidae), parasitizing salmonid and coregonid fishes. Among 16 loci tested, three polymorphic loci (Ada, Got, Pgm-2) were found. Six different genotypes at theGotlocus distributed in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium suggest remarkable genetic flexibility ofP. exiguus. Balancing selection is proposed as the mechanism maintaining genetic variation within the species. Data of genetic variability parameters (Ho= 0.064; He= 0.07; P = 0.19) and outcrossing rate (t = 0.842) ofP. exiguuspopulation have been provided. Possible factors affecting these data are discussed.