On the southernmost leiosaurid lizards: phylogeographic and evolutionary patterns of Leiosaurus belli, diplolaemus bibroniii and Diplolaemus darwinii based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene

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

Congreso; Joint Meeting Ichthyologist and Herpetologists; 2016

The Leiosaurae species Leiosaurus belli, Diploalemus bibronii and Diploalemus darwinii are endemic to southern South America and are distribute over diverse habitats in the ecorregions of Monte and Patagonian Steppe. We analyzed phylogeographic patterns in the light of historical Miocene-to-Pleistocene events of Patagonia. The results of this study, coupled with those of other lizard species from this area, may be usful to define conservation strategies. We suggest a taxonomic review of Leiosaurus belli, including more molecular markers and integrating morphological, ecological and behavioral data.