Estimates of biochemical genetic diversity within and between the nudibranch molluscs Adalaria proxima (Alder & Hancock) and Onchidoris muricata (Muller) (Doridacea: Onchidorididae)

A total of 13 enzymes, coded by 14 loci, were successfully examined by horizontal starch gel electrophoresis in the intertidal dorid nudibranchs Adalaria proxima (Alder & Hancock) and Onchidoris muricata (Muller). The derived genetic identity and similarity values provided estimates more typical of congeneric, than only confamilial, species. The suggestion is that these two species hold a recent common ancestry, and that Adalaria proxima (with its more advanced, pelagic lecithotrophic larva) is an evolutionary derivative of the Onchidoris muricata stock. At least three loci ( Pgm and Fum, A. proxima; Pep-2, O. muricata ) are all highly polymorphic.