Abstract
Liolaemus monticola is a mountain lizard species, with a widespread distribution from central Chile that displays several highly polymorphic chromosomal races. Our study determined the phylogeographic structuring and relationships among three chromosomal races of L. monticola in Chile. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences of the cytochrome b gene were examined using the following phylogenetic methods: maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference and nested clade phylogeographic analyses (NCPAs). These methods revealed two major monophyletic clades (north and south) in the L. monticola species, with non-overlapping geographical locations separated by the Maipo and Yeso rivers (except one hybrid, from a zone of secondary contact). The NCPA showed that a past fragmentation process likely resulted in the separation of the two clades. The southern clade includes all samples of the ‘Southern, 2n = 34’ race; the northern clade is comprised of all remaining derived chromosomal races: the ‘Northern, 2n = 38–40 and the Multiple Fission, 2n = 42–44’ races. Our results support the hypothesis of a geographical and genetic split resulting from allopatric processes caused by riparian barriers acting over a long time period. The inferred biogeographical scenario shows that populations have moved from the south to the north using the Andean mountains as the primary corridor for dispersal. Resumen Liolaemus monticola es una especie de saurio de montana con una amplia distribucion en Chile central, con varias razas cromosomicas polimorficas. Nosotros determinamos la estructura y las relaciones filogeograficas entre tres razas cromosomicas de L. monticola. Secuencias del gen mitocondrial (mtDNA) citocromo b fueron analizadas usando metodos filogeneticos como maxima parsimonia, maxima verosimilutd e inferencia Bayesiana, ademas del analisis filogeografico de clados anidados (NCPA). Estos metodos mostraron dos principales clados monofileticos (Norte y Sur) en la especie L. monticola, los cuales presentan una distribucion disjunta separados por los rios Maipo y Yeso (exceptuando un ejemplar hibrido, perteneciente a una zona de contacto secundario). El NCPA mostro que un evento de fragmentacion en el pasado habria conducido a la separacion de ambos clados. El clado Sur incluye todas las muestras pertenecientes a la raza ‘Sur, 2n = 34’; el clado Norte comprende las restantes razas cromosomicas derivadas: ‘Norte, 2n = 38–40’ y ‘Multiples Fisiones, 2n = 42–44’. Los resultados respaldan la hipotesis de una division genetica y geografica como resultado de un proceso alopatrico causado por rios, el cual no seria un proceso reciente. El escenario biogeografico muestra que las poblaciones habrian colonizado hacia el norte, usando a la Cordillera de los Andes como el principal corredor para la dispersion.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.