RT journal article
T1 Genetic characteristics influence the phenotype of marine macroalga Fucus vesiculosus (Phaeophyceae)
A1 Preston, Roxana
A1 Franco Rodil, Iván
A2 Biología
K1 clonality
K1 Gigas effect
K1 intraclonal variation
K1 phenotypic plasticity
K1 polyploidy
K1 somatic mutations
AB Intraspecific variation is an important component of heterogeneity in biological systems that can manifest at the genotypic and phenotypic level. This study investigates the influence of genetic characteristics on the phenotype of free-living Fucus vesiculosus using traditional morphological measures and microsatellite genotyping. Two sympatric morphotypes were observed to be significantly genetically and morphologically differentiated despite experiencing analogous local environmental conditions; indicating a genetic element to F. vesiculosus morphology. Additionally, the observed intraclonal variation established divergent morphology within some genets. This demonstrated that clonal lineages have the ability to alter morphological traits by either a plastic response or somatic mutations. We provide support for the potential occurrence of the Gigas effect (cellular/organ enlargement through genome duplication) in the Fucus genus, with polyploidization appearing to correlate with a general increase in the size of morphological features. Phenotypic traits, as designated by morphology within the study, of F. vesiculosus are partially controlled by the genetic characteristics of the thalli. This study suggests that largely asexually reproducing algal populations may have the potential to adapt to changing environmental conditions through genome changes or phenotypic plasticity.
PB Wiley
SN 2045-7758
YR 2023
FD 2023-01-31
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/29375
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/29375
LA eng
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz
RD 11-nov-2026