Allozymes Reflect the Population-Level Effect of Mercury: Simulations of the Mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki Girard) GPI-2 Response

Abstract

Measurements of the differential tolerance between enzyme genotypes and shifts in allozyme frequencies in populations from contaminated habitats have prompted the use of allozymes as markers of population-level toxicant effects. However, such studies often do not consider other factors that influence allele frequencies, including natural clines, migration, the intensity and specificity of selection and toxicant-induced genetic bottlenecks. In addition, selection components other than survival are not included. Consequently, the associated conclusions remain speculative. To assess this approach rigorously, a simulation study was conducted with the mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) GPI-2 locus. Laboratory studies have shown the GPI-238/38 homozygote at this locus to be less tolerant than other genotypes during acute exposure to mercury. The GPI-2100/100 genotype has also been shown to have a reproductive disadvantage at lower mercury concentrations. Simple and then more complex models were used to quantify the relative effects of viability selection, random genetic drift and migration on the GPI-238 allele frequency. Simulations were also performed to assess the contribution of sexual and fecundity selection. A simple population model suggested that viability selection plays a greater role than does mortality-driven, genetic drift in the decrease of the sensitive allele under the conditions of this study. A more complex, stochastic model indicated that no significant mortality-driven drift was taking place in this system. In both models, migration mitigated the effect of selection. Sexual and fecundity selection had little effect on the allele frequencies in these simulations. We conclude that, provided the system under study is clearly understood, shifts in allele frequency can indicate the population-level effects of pollutants.