Abstract
The land crab, Johngarthia lagostoma, occurs exclusively on Ascension Island and the Brazilian oceanic islands of Trindade, Atol das Rocas, and Fernando de Noronha. Like other gecarcinid crabs, it retains a marine planktotrophic larval phase, and as in some other gecarcinids the Megalops migrate inland into fully terrestrial habitats before moulting to the first crab instar. Due to their limited geographical distribution and their biological characteristics, the populations of J. lagostoma are especially vulnerable to environmental disturbances. The aim of this study was to assess, through analyses of mitochondrial DNA sequences, the genetic structure and diversity of J. lagostoma on the four islands where it occurs. The large differentiation observed indicates that three discrete land crab evolutionary significant units should be considered: Ascension Island, Trindade, and Atol das Rocas/Fernando de Noronha.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
