Systematic and phylogeographical assessment of the Acanthodactylus erythrurus group (Reptilia: Lacertidae) based on phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2009

Authors

fonseca, mm (Author) Other; brito, jc (Author) FCUP; paulo, os (Author) Other; carretero, ma (Author) Other; harris, dj (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution

Vol. 51

Pages: 131-142

ISSN: 1055-7903

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 22 Citations

Scopus - 24 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Biological sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-KJ8

DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2008.11.021

Abstract (EN): We have used mitochondrial 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA and nuclear beta-fibrinogen (intron 7) sequences to investigate the phylogenetic and phylogeographic relationships between Acanthodactylus erythrurus group species (except for A. boueti). The phylogenetic analyses of the Acanthodactylus genus did not cluster A. guineensis and A. savignyi with the remaining species of the group (A. blanci, A. lineomaculatus and A. erythrurus). Within the A. erythrurus group, the results of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA (nDNA) showed a complex phylogeny with geographic structure, but it was not congruent with the present taxonomy. Some taxonomic units, such as A. blanci, A. lineomaculatus, A. e. atlanticus and A. e. belli did not form monophyletic genetic units. The application of a molecular clock Suggested that the uplift of the Atlas Mountains in the mid-late Miocene and the reopening of the Strait of Gibraltar could be major biogeographic events responsible for the genetic differentiation in the group. Additionally, diverse micro-evolutionary patterns due to the recent contraction/expansion phases of the habitats in North Africa associated with the high dispersal capabilities of these lizards could be related to the complex phylogenetic patterns observed. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 12