PROTEIN VARIATION IN THE COMMON SHREW (SOREX-ARANEUS L) IN POLAND, INRELATION TO KARYOTYPE

Samples of common shrews (Sorex araneus L.) from three distinct chromo some races in Poland were analysed electrophoretically. Of the 13 loci studied, 11 showed no electrophoretic variation and two (Es-1 and Mpi ) were clearly polymorphic. None of the alleles detected was diagnosti c for a chromosome race, and the common allele of the polymorphic loci was the same in all samples. However, differences in allele frequenci es at the Es-1 and Mpi loci found between samples of different races f rom close sites indicates that gene flow may be reduced. It is suggest ed that relatively little genetic differentiation exists between the c hromosome races of S. araneus.