Inter- and intraspecific variation of the nucleotide sequence of the cytochrome b gene in Cory's (Calonectris diomedea), Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus) and the Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis).

The cytochrome b gene of three European taxa of the family of Procellariidae was amplified from total DNA and sequenced. The sequence comparison shows that the Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) is significantly distinct from shearwaters, whereas Cory's (Calonectris diomedea) and Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus) are closely related. Although the populations of C. diomedea can be distinguished morphologically, the sequences of cyt b differ only slightly between the Atlantic and Mediterranean subspecies (i.e. C. d. borealis versus C. d. diomedea) and do not reveal other population differences within subspecies.