Molecular phylogenetics of Iberian wall lizards (Podarcis): is Podarcis hispanica a species complex?
Phylogenetic relationships between species and morphotypes of Podarcis wall lizards from the Iberian Peninsula and north Africa were estimated using partial 12S rRNA and cytochrome b mitochondrial DNA sequences. All species except Podarcis hispanica form monophyletic units. P. hispanica is paraphyletic, although all identified morphotypes are monophyletic. These morphotypes represent highly divergent lineages showing 10-15% pairwise sequence divergence with the cytochrome b gene. The data suggest that P. hispanica is a species complex. We recommend using P. hispanica* until additional sampling delimits the number and ranges of species currently referred to P. hispanica. P. carbonelli, which has recently been raised to species status, is confirmed as a genetically distinct form. P. atrata is genetically distinct, but much more closely related to some populations of P. hispanica than previously thought.
Centro de Estudos de Ciência Animal, ICETA-UP, Vila do Conde, Portugal. james@mail.icav.up.pt
D James
DJ
Harris
Paulo
P
Sá-Sousa
D000352:Africa, Northern; D000818:Animals; D003573:Cytochrome b Group / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005843:Geography; D008116:Lizards / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D010802:Phylogeny; D011174:Portugal; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics
D003573:Cytochrome b Group; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal; C075526:RNA, ribosomal, 12S