Genetic differentiation of European species of Liocarcinus (Crustacea: Portunidae): A gene-enzyme study

Populations of L. depurator from Greek and Scottish seas as well as samples of L. marmoreus from Scotland, were allozymatically analyzed. Their genetic structure was then compared with our previous analyses of Liocarcinus species, to test genetic similarities and to supply new statistical elaborations that would better define genetic differentiations and give some hints on phyletic relationships within the genus. New analyses suggest a subspecific splitting of L. depurator and also give support to the allocation of present Liocarcinus taxa to different genera. More precisely, it has been possible to define three generic groupings: the first group comprises L. marmoreus and L. vernalis, together with the type species of the genus L. holsatus, and it could be referred to as Liocarcinus [sensu stricto]; the second group contains L. depurator and, presumably, also the morphologically related L. bolivari; the third group consists of L. I maculatus and L. arcuatus. Allozyme data on genetic differentiation agree almost exactly with a recently subdivision of the genus Liocarcinus, proposed mainly on morphological evidences. Necora puber, which, up to 1987, was included in Liocarcinus, appears to be representative of a distinct genus.