Phylogeographic history of Patagonian lizards of the Liolaemus elongatus complex (Iguania: Liolaemini) based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences

CINTIA DÉBORA MEDINA; LUCIANO JAVIER AVILA; JACK WALTER SITES, JR; MARIANA MORANDO

JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGICAL SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTIONARY RESEARCH

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2017

0947-5745

In this study, we present a phylogeographic analysis of a group of lizards distributed in north-western Patagonia, the Liolaemus elongatus complex.We sequenced 581 individuals for one mitochondrial gene (cytochrome-b), and for a subset, we sequenced another mitochondrial gene (12S rRNA)and two nuclear genes: kinesin family member 24 (KIF24) and the anonymous nuclear locus LDAB1D. We estimated gene trees, mitochondrial andnuclear haploytpe networks, standard molecular diversity indices, genetic distances between lineages and Bayesian skyline plots. Our results provideevidence for recognition of seven species previously described within the L. elongatus complex: Liolaemus antumalguen, Liolaemus chillanensis,Liolaemus carlosgarini, Liolaemus burmeisteri, Liolaemus smaug, Liolaemus elongatus and Liolaemus crandalli, but we did not find sufficient evidenceto support Liolaemus choique, Liolaemus shitan or Liolaemus sp. 6 as distinct species. We identified four candidate species (Liolaemus sp. 1,Liolaemus sp. 2, Liolaemus sp. 3 and Liolaemus sp. 7), and we discuss evolutionary processes that may have contributed to the origin of these lineagesand their taxonomic and conservation implications.