Allozyme Variation of 6-Phosphogluconate Dehydrogenase in the Freshwater Snail Genus Gyraulus (Pulmonata : Planorbidae)

The electrophoretic banding patterns of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (PGD) in the two different chromosomal ploidy groups of Gyraulus were compared. The monomeric or dimeric banding patterns or allelic variations in a locus of PGD were observed in four diploid populations (Osan, Sohre, Kimpo and Kangwha) of G. convexiusculus occurring in Korea, whereas the isozyme banding patterns encoded by at least 3 different loci were shown in the tetraploid populations of G. (Torquis) groups collected from Michigan, the U.S.A. Of 3 different tetraploid groups, G. (T.) circumstriatus group showed 3 monomorphic isozyme banding patterns, and the other 2 populations showed some allelic variations. Such results provided good evidence to differentiate tetraploid subgenus Torquis group from the diploid Gyraulus populations.