On the geographical differentiation of Gymnodactylus geckoides Spix, 1825 (Sauria, Gekkonidae): speciation in the Brazilian caatingas.
The specific concept of G. geckoides was initially ascertained based on a topotypical sample from Salvador, Bahia. Geographic differentiation was studied through the analysis of two meristic characters (tubercles in a paramedian row and fourth toe lamellae) and color pattern of 327 specimens from 23 localities. It is shown that the population from the southernmost locality, Mucugê, is markedly divergent in all characters studied. A Holocene refuge model is proposed to explain the pattern. A decision about the rank to be attributed to the Mucugê population is deferred until more detailed sampling is effected and molecular methods are applied.
Vanzolini
Paulo Emilio
PE
Museu de Zoologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Cx. Postal 42694, 04299-970 São Paulo, SP, Brazil. vanzo@usp.br
D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D017753:Ecosystem; D005260:Female; D008116:Lizards / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification*; D008297:Male; D011157:Population Dynamics; D013045:Species Specificity