PROTEIN DIFFERENCES AMONG THE MEDITERRANEAN SPECIES OF THE GENUS SPICARA

Protein electrophoresis (PAGE) was used to study the three morphologic ally different species of Spicara (S. flexuosa, S. maena, S. smaris). Of the 28 enzymatic and additional myogenic loci, five monomorphic loc i (LDH-1, G6PD-1*, PGI-1* and two PMMs*) were species-specific marker s of S. smaris with respect to S. flexuosa and S. maena. Four of the 2 8 enzymatic loci were polymorphic (EST-1, GLDH*, PEPD*, PGI-2*). Disc riminating genetic markers were nor identified between S. flexuosa and S. maena. Genetic distance (D) as calculated by Nei's index (1978), b etween S. smaris v. S. maena and S. flexuosa showed a value, respectiv ely of D=0.137 and 0.141. Between S. flexuosa and S. maena the value w as D=0.006. From the data it can be inferred that S. flexuosa and S. m aena are conspecific, despite morphological differences. (C) 1996 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles