Variation in contributions of asexual reproduction to the genetic structure of populations of the sea anemone Metridium senile.

Abstract

Some NE North American populations are genotypically as diverse as expected for sexually reproducing populations with free recombination; others are significantly less diverse than expected. These reductions in diversity probably result from extensive clonal reproduction. Reduced genotypic diversity may be produced by low rates of recruitment of planktonic larvae, following by asexual proliferation. -from Author