Phylogenetic systematics of Southeast Asian flying lizards (Iguania: Agamidae Draco) as inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequence data

Abstract

Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequence data using maximum parsimony, minimum evolution (of log-determinant distances), and maximum-likelihood optimality criteria provided a robust estimate of Draco phylogenetic relationships. Although the analyses based on alternative optimality criteria were not entirely congruent, nonparametric bootstrap analyses identified many well-supported clades that were common to the analyses under the three altrenative criteria. Relationships within the major clades are generally well resolved and strongly supported, although this is not the case for the Philippinevolans subclade. The hypothesis that a clade composed primarily of Philippine species represents a rapid radiation could not be rejected. A revised taxonomy for Draco is provided.