| Abstract: | Potamonautes granularis, P. perlatus and P. sidneyi are morphologically similar species of freshwater crab occurring in the middle to lower reaches of rivers. Potamonautes perlatus and P. sidneyi are known to exhibit clinal morphological differentiation between two distinct morphotypes and their specific status has remained obscured. This study investigates the species boundaries between these three species, as well as genetic differentiation and gene flow between populations within each species, using allozyme electrophoresis. Twenty-five populations (including two P. granularis, 10 P. perlatus and 13 P. sidneyi populations) were utilized, collected along a transect of 2300 km. Individuals were screened for 11 presumptive loci, using a horizontal starch-gel electrophoresis protocol. Mean genetic identities obtained in pair-wise comparisons of populations of different species (I =0.748-0.846) were typical of interspecific comparisons. Diffuse species boundaries (over which gene flow and hybridization may be possible) were observed between P. granularis and P. perlatus, and between P. perlatus and P. sidneyi. A fixed allele difference at the ME locus distinguished P. granularis and P. sidneyi. Hierarchical F -statistics revealed significant genetic sub-structuring between populations within each species and within the entire sample, illustrating low-levels of gene flow. Although some regional groupings were evident from the genetic data, no distinct distance-related patterns, or patterns of clinal variation could be observed. Patterns of genetic differentiation resemble a patchwork that is probably the product of mutations, genetic drift, balanced by low levels of gene flow, and natural selection. The extensive morphological variation must now be seen against the backdrop of three genetically defined species. |
