Hidden relationships and genetic diversity: Molecular phylogeny and phylogeography of the Levantine lizards of the genus Phoenicolacerta (Squamata: Lacertidae)
Language English Country United States Media print-electronic
Document type Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
PubMed
25987529
DOI
10.1016/j.ympev.2015.05.002
PII: S1055-7903(15)00133-5
Knihovny.cz E-resources
- Keywords
- Biogeography, Convergence, Haplotype network, Molecular clock, Multilocus phylogeny, Systematics,
- MeSH
- Phylogeny MeSH
- Phylogeography MeSH
- Genetic Variation * MeSH
- Lizards classification genetics MeSH
- Genetic Speciation MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
The Levant region witnessed dramatic tectonic events and climatic fluctuations that changed the historical landscape of the area and consequently influenced the cladogenesis and distribution of the local biota. In this study we use information from two mitochondrial and two nuclear genes and species delimitation methods in order to obtain the first robust time-calibrated molecular phylogeny of the Levantine rock lizards of the genus Phoenicolacerta. We sampled from across its distributional range with the aim to clarify its systematics, biogeography and evolution. Our results suggest that the genus includes two well-supported clades, one comprising solely the montane species Phoenicolacerta kulzeri, and the other including the three remaining species, the relatively widespread, P. laevis, the Syrian-Turkish P. cyanisparsa and the Cypriot endemic P. troodica. We found that both P. laevis and P. cyanisparsa are not monophyletic, as the Turkish populations of P. laevis branch within P. cyanisparsa. We found high levels of undescribed diversity within P. laevis which necessitate a thorough revision. We suggest that Phoenicolacerta started radiating during the mid-late Miocene, and that both vicariance and dispersal events shaped the diversification and distribution of the genus concomitantly with the formation of major geological structures and climatic fluctuations in the Levant. These results highlight the region as an important center of speciation, contributing to the species diversity of the eastern Mediterranean.
Department of Zoology National Museum Cirkusová 1740 19300 Prague 9 Czech Republic
Institute of Evolutionary Biology Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37 49 E 08003 Barcelona Spain
Museo Civico de Storia Naturale via San Francesco di Sales 188 Carmagnola 1 10022 Italy
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