Dissertations and Theses @ UNI
Availability
Open Access Thesis
Keywords
Fiddler crabs--East (US)--Geographical distribution; Fiddler crabs--East (US)--Genetics; East United States; Academic theses;
Abstract
Uca pugnax and U. longisignalis are fiddler crabs commonly found in the southeastern United States. These sibling species occupy distinct regions. Uca pugnax is found on the Atlantic and U. longisignalis on the Gulf coasts. Their distributions are separated by the Florida peninsula. Many different taxa with similar distributions in this region have been the focus of phylogeographic studies. In these studies, it appears there is no simple pattern to explain genetic variability. Previous studies of Uca pugnax and U. longisignalis reveal no significant morphological or physiological differences within either species across its respective region. The purpose of this study was to use mitochondrial DNA sequences to examine genetic variation within these species. Mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COi) sequences were obtained for 56 individuals of Uca longisignalis and 37 individuals of Uca pugnax from various locations within the respective range of each. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that they are two distinct species with a relatively recent divergence. No significant genetic differentiation was found within the populations of either species. These results suggest high connectivity due to the larval dispersal abilities of these crabs.
Year of Submission
2009
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Department of Biology
First Advisor
Peter Berendzen
Second Advisor
Carl Thurman
Third Advisor
Theresa Spradling
Date Original
2009
Object Description
1 PDF file (59 leaves)
Copyright
©2009 Cydney Brooks
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Brooks, Cydney, "A Phylogeographic Analysis of Fiddler Crabs, Uca longisignalis and U. pugnax" (2009). Dissertations and Theses @ UNI. 2194.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/etd/2194
Comments
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