Affiliation:
1. Ecology and Evolution A‐LIFE, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Amsterdam the Netherlands
2. Department of Zoology, School of Biology Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Thessaloniki Greece
3. Evolutionary Ecology Naturalis Biodiversity Centre Leiden the Netherlands
Abstract
AbstractColor polymorphism is a classic study system for evolutionary genetics. One of the most color‐polymorphic animal taxa is mollusks, but the investigation of the genetic basis of color determination is often hindered by their life history and the limited availability of genetic resources. Here, we report on the discovery of shell color polymorphism in a much‐used model species, the great pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis. While their shell is usually beige, some individuals from a Greek population show a distinct red shell color, which we nicknamed Ginger. Moreover, we found that the inheritance fits simple, single‐locus Mendelian inheritance with dominance of the Ginger allele. We also compared crucial life‐history traits between Ginger and wild‐type individuals, and found no differences between morphs. We conclude that the relative simplicity of this polymorphism will provide new opportunities for a deeper understanding of the genetic basis of shell color polymorphism and its evolutionary origin.
Subject
Nature and Landscape Conservation,Ecology,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics