Allozyme electrophoresis: Its application to rotifers

Abstract

Allozyme electrophoresis is a well established technique for revealing genetic variation that has given useful results in a wide range of organisms. However, in rotifers it has been applied scarcely and only in a few species. In this paper the methods of acetate allozyme electrophoresis are introduced, including laboratory setup, equipment and staining recipes that have been successfully applied to brachionid rotifers. In addition, the literature published on allozyme electrophoresis in rotifers is reviewed and the main results and future prospects of the technique are discussed. We conclude that, despite the onset of DNA techniques, allozyme electrophoresis is promising and can yield important results in rotifer population genetics, ecology and systematics.