Morphological and genetic variations of Diplodus vulgaris along the Tunisian coasts

In order to characterize populations of Diplodus vulgaris (Geoffroy St.-Hilaire, 1817) along the Tunisian coasts and to test the prospective role of geographical barrier of the Siculo-Tunisian Strait, we performed a study of morphological and genetic variability of samples collected in six sites distributed on each side of the Strait. Two types of morphological descriptors, 25 truss elements and six complementary conventional linear measurements, and genetic markers (allozymes of four enzyme systems) were used. Multivariate analyses revealed morphological variations among the prospected localities. El Biban sample differs by the suborbital part of the head and the eye diameter, while those of Ghar El Melh and Mahdia diverge mainly by the length and height of the head. Compared to all remaining samples, El Biban specimens showed a large head. The study of genetic polymorphism showed the absence of any genetic structuring among Diplodus vulgaris and the presence of an homogeneous (global FST = 0.004) panmictic unit (f = 0.046 NS). Thus, the Siculo-Tunisian Strait does not seem to act as a barrier between the populations, at least at the scale of the Tunisian coast. The morphological diversity observed seems to reflect the environmental heterogeneity and is not structured by the Siculo-Tunisian Strait (phenotypic plasticity).Original Abstract: Variations morphologique et genetique de Diplodus vulgaris le long des cotes tunisiennes. Pour caracteriser les populations de Diplodus vulgaris (Geoffroy St.-Hilaire, 1817) le long des cotes tunisiennes et tester le role eventuel de barriere geographique du detroit siculo-tunisien, nous avons etudie la variabilite morphologique et genetique d'echantillons collectes dans six sites de part et d'autre du detroit. Deux types de descripteurs morphologiques, 25 elements de truss et six mesures lineaires conventionnelles complementaires, et des marqueurs genetiques (allozymes de quatre systemes enzymatiques) ont ete utilises. Des analyses multivariees ont revele des variations morphologiques entre les localites prospectees. Ainsi, l'echantillon d'El Biban differe par la partie suborbitale de la tete et le diametre de l'oeil alors que ceux de Ghar El Melh et de Mahdia divergent principalement par la longueur et la hauteur de la tete. Par rapport a l'ensemble des echantillons, les specimens d'El Biban ont une plus grosse tete. L'etude du polymorphisme genetique a montre l'absence de toute structuration genetique chez Diplodus v