This project investigated the genetic composition of natural populations of Anadara trapezia in Australia at three spatial scales : i) microgeographic (within an estuary, 50 metres to ~ 6 kilometres); ii) microgeographic (within populations, less than 50 metres); and, iii) macrogeographic (hundreds of kilometres along the coast of Australia). Allozyme polymorphism surveys using cellulose acetate strips have revealed, from 43 enzymes screened, 18 putative polymorphic loci. Comparisons of levels of heterozygosity among enzyme structural groups showed no significant differences, however, monomers were significantly more variable as a group than multimers. Significant differences in the level and distribution of polymorphism among functional groups of enzymes were observed. It appears that selection may be acting at the molecular level, not only on a particular locus, but on a group of functionally similar loci. At the macrogeographic scale, significant departures from random mating were observed in most populations. Significant differences in allele distribution among populations of A. trapezia along the east coast of Australia were found. At the macrogeographic scale, heterogeneity of allele frequencies may depend upon the distance separating the populations and surface water currents. Differentiation among population groups in this study is attributed to changes in the direction of the East Australian Current combined with onshore countercurrents. The systematic status of the disjunct western Australian population of A. trapezia was also evaluated as compared with the east coast populations. No evidence of genetic, hence evolutionary divergence was found. The results have serious implications in the management of fisheries as erroneous assumptions in fisheries management models may lead to depletion and near extinction of marine species. The research stresses the necessity of sampling at multiple scales and replication strategies. It also highlighted the complexities researchers are faced with in studies of marine bivalves, such as the presence of null alleles, deficiencies of heterozygotes, apparent inbreeding and the small geographic scales governing population structure. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)