Analysis of genetic variability in populations of a terrestrial snail Chondrula tridens MÜll. (Gastropoda, Pulmonata), Based on the RAPD and ISSR Markers

Abstract

In this study we examined evolutionary processes in the populations of small mobile animal species, the terrestrial mollusks Chondrula tridens Müll. (Ch. tridens) in the urbanized landscape. We applied PCR methodology, using the RAPD and ISSR DNA markers, to define the genetic structure in the Ch. tridens populations, inhabiting the Mid-Russian Upland. Analysis of the obtained DNA patterns uncovered the presence of both polymorphic and monomorphic alleles. Based on this data, we defined the levels of genetic variability in the studied Ch. tridens populations, and determined the factors affecting formation of the population’s gene pool in this species. We present our conclusions on the genome structure and gene pool distri-bution in the populations of the Ch. tridens in the urbanized landscape