Genetic differentiation of the parthenogenetic soil collembolan Isotoma notabilis along a copper gradient based on random amplified polymorphic DNA

Five species of collembolans were collected at 24 sampling areas in a copper polluted field. The most abundant species was Isotoma notabilis found at half the sampling sites, in total 490 individuals. Two hundred and fifty-two specimens of these, representing seven sampling areas were analysed by means of random amplified polymorphic DNA using three decamer primers. Two primers each revealed eight phenotypes and the third showed six phenotypes. Distribution of the phenotypes was not homogenous within the sampling area. This result could not be explained as an outcome of either the copper content in the soil or the grass biomass, but was more likely an effect of colonisation from the areas surrounding the field.