Geographic patterns of morphological variation in the lizard Podarcis carbonelli, a species with fragmented distribution

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2010

Authors

Kaliontzopoulou, A (Author) Other; carretero, ma (Author) FCUP; sillero, n (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Herpetological Journal

Vol. 20

Pages: 41-50

ISSN: 0268-0130

Publisher: British Herpetological Society

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 13 Citations

Scopus - 13 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-B3N

Abstract (EN): Podarcis carboneili is a lacertid lizard endemic to the western Iberian Peninsula, with a highly fragmented distribution and complex patterns of phylogeographic structure. Here, we investigate intraspecific morphological variability in this species, considering both biometric and pholidotic traits. Our results reveal local patterns of variation in total body size and scalation, but also indicate the existence of gradual, geographically structured morphological variation when size-independent biometry is considered. Total body size is the main factor determining variation across our sample, but this seems to be the result of within-population variability in this trait and is not geographically structured. The southern isolated populations seem highly differentiated in morphological terms, a pattern that also corresponds to singular environmental conditions and distinctive genetic variation, and should therefore be the focus of special attention for future investigation and conservation.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10