SUMMARY Colonies of the visually polymorphic spider _Enoplognatha ovatum_ have been studied in Nidderdale, Yorkshire, for up to six years. Morph frequencies are found to be stable within

colonies between years but to vary between colonies only short distances apart. The stability of the polymorphism argues in favour of powerful selection acting on this character. The nature

of the selective factors are unknown but they are not those which influence time of maturity of the spiders or the mature female population size, both of which have varied between years. A

genetic basis proposed for the polymorphism is considered and rejected as being incompatible with stable morph frequencies. SIMILAR CONTENT BEING VIEWED BY OTHERS SIMPLE INHERITANCE OF COLOR

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Genet_, 22, 24–49. CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar  Download references AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * Department of Biology, University of York, Heslington, YO1 5DD, York G S

Oxford Authors * G S Oxford View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS

ARTICLE Oxford, G. The colour polymorphism in _Enoplognatha ovatum_ (Clerck) (Araneae: Theridiidae)—Temporal stability and spatial variability. _Heredity_ 36, 369–381 (1976).

https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.1976.44 Download citation * Received: 28 November 1975 * Issue Date: 01 June 1976 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.1976.44 SHARE THIS ARTICLE Anyone you share

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