Elevation of Divergent Color Polymorphic and Monomorphic Lizard Lineages (Squamata: Agamidae) to Species Level

Caroline M Dong,Greg R Johnston,Adnan Moussalli,Claire A Mclean,Katrina J Rankin,Devi Stuart-Fox

doi:10.1643/h2020064

Caroline M Dong, Greg R Johnston + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1643/h2020064

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Abstract

The Australian Tawny Dragon lizard (Ctenophorus decresii), as currently recognized, comprises two genetically divergent lineages, northern and southern, that differ notably in male coloration. A narrow contact zone exists between the lineages with asymmetric and limited hybridization, indicating incompatibility and highlighting the need for further taxonomic assessment. Here, we evaluate morphological variation in C. decresii and elevate the lineages to separate species. The southern lineage retains the name C. decresii (Duméril and Bibron, 1837), and we formally reinstate C. modestus for the northern lineage, which was previously a synonym of C. decresii (Amphibolurus modestus,Ahl, 1926). We redescribe C. modestus and C. decresii and highlight important considerations for reevaluation of their conservation statuses. Recognition of C. modestus represents another species that may have differentiated in relatively mesic mountainous refugia during Pleistocene glacial-interglacial cycles, and underscores the importance of divergence in male coloration as a driver of speciation in the rock dragon species group.

Highlights

BioOne Complete is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses
Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) on male morphological variables indicated that the male type specimens of A. modestus and C. decresii fell within the 95% confidence ellipses of the northern and southern lineages of C. decresii, respectively (Fig. 3B)
We regard Wells and Wellington’s (1985) recognition of C. modestus as unavailable for application for the following reasons: (1) they did not provide a ‘‘. . . definition that states in words characters that are purported to differentiate the taxon’’ as required under Article 13(a)(i–ii) of the third edition of the Code of Zoological Nomenclature applicable at that time; (2) Ahl’s (1926) description of C. modestus did not meet this criterion, so Wells and Wellington (1985) did not provide a ‘‘. . . bibliographic reference to such a published statement. . . ’’ as required by the same article of the Code

Summary

Introduction

BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses. Your use of this PDF, the BioOne Complete website, and all posted and associated content indicates your acceptance of BioOne’s Terms of Use, available at www.bioone.org/terms-of-use. The Australian Tawny Dragon lizard (Ctenophorus decresii), as currently recognized, comprises two genetically divergent lineages, northern and southern, that differ notably in male coloration. Recognition of C. modestus represents another species that may have differentiated in relatively mesic mountainous refugia during Pleistocene glacial-interglacial cycles, and underscores the importance of divergence in male coloration as a driver of speciation in the rock dragon species group

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