Hidden diversity within the lizard genus Liolaemus: genetic vs morphological divergence in the rothi complex (SQUAMATA:LIOLAEMINAE)

AVILA, L.J.; SITES, J.W., JR.; OLAVE, M.; MORANDO, M.

MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION

ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2017 vol. 107 p. 56 - 63

1055-7903

Currently,Liolaemus is the second most species-rich reptile genus in the world (257 species),and predictions of its real diversity suggest that it may be the most diverse genus.Originally, Liolaemus species were described as widely distributed and morphologicallyvariable taxa, but extensive sampling in previously unexplored geographicareas, coupled with molecular and more extensive morphological studies, havediscovered an unexpectedly high number of previously undetected species. Here,we study the level of molecular vs. morphological divergence within the L.rothi complex,combining a total of 14 loci (2 mitochondrial and 12 nuclear loci) for 97 individuals,as well as morphological data (nine morphometric and 16 color pattern variables),that represent all six described species of the L. rothi complex, plus two candidatespecies. We use the multi-coalescent species delimitation program iBPP and  resolvestrong differences in molecular divergence; each species is recovered as an independentlineage with high posterior probabilities. However, morphological differencesare not that clear, and our modeling of morphometric characters suggests differentialselection pressures implying some level of morphological stasis. We discuss therole of natural selection in maintaining the phenotype at an adaptive optimum, whichmay be an important factor in ?hiding? the real diversity of the genus.