Phenotypic and genotypic spacing within an aggregation of the anemone, Actinia equina

Abstract

Enzyme and colour phenotypes were determined within a single mid-shore aggregation (n = 106) of the anemone, Actinia equina L. on the east coast of Britain. On the basis of allelic variation at four enzyme loci, a large number (n ≃ 30) of genotypes were distinguished of which only three consisted often or more anemones. Little evidence was found of obvious genotypic clustering, a result which was unexpected since this species broods young which are genetically identical with their parents, and which are potentially available for local (within site) colonization. We propose that the unexpectedly high level of genetic variability encountered at this site, can be explained by the following factors: (1) site and anemone longevities are probably measurable in tens of years, (2) distances travelled by anemones during their lifetime may be considerable, thus resulting in extensive inter-digitation of clones over time, and (3) the reproductive strategy of A. equina incorporates sexual reproduction with a planktonic dispersal phase.Nearest-neighbour analyses applied to the distribution of phenotypes within this aggregation revealed several examples of auto-phenotypic under-dispersion. These results, together with (1) departure from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium at a hexokinase locus, (2) evidence of linkage disequilibrium between hexokinase and malate dehydrogenase alleles, and (3) linkage between alleles at both these loci with a colour phenotype (grey pedal disc), all indicate that the genetic composition of this group of anemones had been strongly influenced by founder effects followed by clonal reproduction.A comparative analysis of the size distributions of the various phenotypes and genotypes yielded few conclusions relating either to colonization history or to differential selection; reasons are given to account for this failure.