Allozyme variation and population genetic structure in the carpet shell clam Ruditapes decussatus across the Siculo-Tunisian Strait.

This study reports on the polymorphism of 15 allozyme loci in Ruditapes decussatus clams collected from 11 locations along the Tunisian coasts. We concentrated our sampling effort around the Siculo-Tunisian region to verify if any population structuring exists in this region and to identify the factors that have shaped this structure. Measurements of genetic diversity were quantified both within and between populations, and the geographic variability of gene frequencies was analyzed. Our study shows that the Siculo-Tunisian Strait is an important genetic boundary between eastern and western regions, which agrees with findings for a variety of other species. We suggest that vicariance is a predominant factor shaping the current distribution of genetic diversity of R. decussatus, and the mixing of divergent gene pools from the eastern and western regions still seems to be limited by some physical and/or biological factors.