ISOELECTRIC-FOCUSING PROCEDURES FOR THE ANALYSIS OF ALLOZYMIC VARIATION IN MINUTE ARTHROPODS

Two procedures for the analysis of allozymic variation from single individuals of minute arthropods (< 1 mm body length) are described. Both procedures exploit the protein concentrating effects of isoelectric focusing (IEF) but differ in the type of support used (agarose gels versus single or multiple layers of cellulose acetate membranes). Scoreable levels and patterns of enzyme activity were obtained for 20 enzymes from two chalcidoid wasp genera and a spider mite. IEF in up to five layers of cellulose acetate membrane allows single individuals to be scored for multiple enzyme systems in a single run. More than 100 individuals can be quickly assayed in a single run with either procedure. The availability of these procedures improves the scope and type of genetic, systematic, and ecological studies that can be carried out with minute arthropods.