TI: Population genetics of bathyal and abyssal organisms

AU: Creasey,-S.S.; Rogers,-A.D.

SO: Advances-in-Marine-Biology [Adv-Mar-Biol] 525-B-St-Suite-1900-San-Diego-CA-92101-USA Academic-Press,-Inc 1999 vol. 35, pp. 1-151

NT: Price: US$99.95

LA: English

AB: Bathyal and abyssal environments are characterized by relatively stable physical parameters. Exceptions are found within hydrothermal vent fields, seeps and oxygen-minimum zones, where there is evidence for environmentally mediated selection at enzyme loci. Adaptations to conditions of low oxygen and high toxin concentrations have occurred in a number of organisms. In considering anthropogenic impacts on the deep-sea fauna it is suggested that studies of the biochemical and molecular genetics of the organisms would be useful in showing which species are most likely to be affected. Genetic data can indicate sublethal effects of potential pollutants on populations which otherwise appear to be unaffected.