POPULATION GENETIC DIFERENTIATION OF CONCHOLEPAS CONCHOLEPAS (BRUGUIERE, 1789) (GASTROPODA, MURICIDAE) IN THEIR CENTRAL-NORTHERN RANGE OF GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION

Abstract

The genetic population structure of Concholepas concholepas was studied at 11 sites belonging to 6 localities from the Central coast of Chile to the South of Perú, by means of horizontal starch gel electrophoresis. Genetic distances based on genetic data from three polimorphic loci suggest that localities studied do not form one promictic population. The between localities and between three cluster of disjunct geographical areas components explain more than 89% of the genetic heterogeneity. The genetic variation based on 17 loci is given. The Information obtained must be taken into account in the management of exploited natural populations, and ecological studies of the species.