Reproductive isolation in snails of the genus Albinaria (Gastropoda: Clausiliidae)

Abstract

Parapatric, morphologically characterized forms of the Mediterranean snail genus Albinaria have traditionally been regarded as biological species. Recently, this view has been challenged on the basis of small interspecific genetic distances and cross-breeding experiments. In order to test whether traditionally recognized species are reproductively isolated lineages, two cases of syntopy were analysed by means of isozyme electrophoresis. The data suggest that complete reproductive isolation is present. In one of the two cases, ecological differentiation on a small spatial scale was observed.