The evolutionary ecology of Daphnia

In order to generate genetic markers from both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA, we used three PCR-based techniques (RAPD, mtDNA-RFLPs, and sequencing of an amplified mtDNA fragment) to illuminate various aspects of the population genetics of large-lake Daphnia species. Estimations of genetic diversity at different taxonomic levels integrated with ecological data revealed insights into the genetic components of the evolutionary process of interspecific hybridization in these Daphnia species, which had previously been documented with allozyme markers. Our new molecular data suggest the occurrence of recent hybridization and backcrossing events, and allow the identification of the maternal species of hybrid clones.