Has long-term metal exposure induced changes in life history traits and genetic diversity of the enchytraeid worm Cognettia sphagnetorum (Vejd.)?
We studied whether long-term metal exposure has affected life history traits, population growth patterns and genetic diversity of the asexual enchytraeid worm Cognettia sphagnetorum (Vejd.). Enchytraeids from metal contaminated and uncontaminated forest soil were compared by growing them individually in the laboratory and by following their population development in patchily Cu contaminated microcosms. Genetic differences between the two native populations were studied using allozyme electrophoresis. Individuals from the contaminated site had slower growth rate and they produced fewer fragments of larger size when compared to individuals from the uncontaminated site. In patchily Cu contaminated microcosms, C. sphagnetorum from the contaminated site had a slower population growth rate. Most alleles were shared by the two native populations, but there was greater diversity and more unique genotypes in the population living in the uncontaminated site. Overall, long-term exposure to metals has induced only slight changes in life history properties and clonal diversity of C. sphagnetorum.
Haimi
Jari
J
Department of Biological and Environmental Science, PO Box 35, FI-40014 University of Jyväskylä, Finland. jhaimi@bytl.jyu.fi
Knott
Karelyn Emily
KE
Selonen
Salla
S
Laurikainen
Marjo
M
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size / Q000187:drug effects; D003300:Copper / Q000633:toxicity*; D017753:Ecosystem; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005787:Gene Frequency / Q000235:genetics; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000235:genetics; D005828:Genetics, Population; D005838:Genotype; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D013997:Time Factors; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000633:toxicity
D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014131:Trace Elements; D003300:Copper