title: Phylogenetic evidence of historic mitochondrial introgression and cryptic diversity in the genus Pseudemoia (Squamata: Scincidae).
abstract: The Australian scincid genus Pseudemoia comprises six morphologically similar species restricted to temperate south-eastern Australia. Due to the high degree of morphological conservatism, phylogenetic relationships and taxonomic status within the Pseudemoia entrecasteauxii complex (comprising the nominal species P. entrecasteauxii, P. cryodroma, and P. pagenstecheri) remains unresolved. To further investigate the phylogenetic relationships and taxonomic status of Pseudemoia spp., and to test the hypothesis that P. cryodroma evolved from hybridization between P. entrecasteauxii and P. pagenstecheri, we sequenced one mitochondrial locus (ND4) and five nuclear loci (β-globin, LGMN, PRLR, Rhodopsin, RPS8). While we find strong support for the monophyly of the P. entrecasteauxii complex, there exists marked incongruence between the mitochondrial and nuclear markers, particularly in regards to the high altitude specialist, P. cryodroma. The most parsimonious explanation of this discordance is historic mitochondrial introgression, although a hybrid origin for P. cryodroma cannot be completely rejected. Within P. pagenstecheri sensu lato, we identified a strongly supported, highly divergent yet morphologically cryptic lineage restricted to northern New South Wales. Although more weakly supported by the nuDNA, we also identified a second geographically distinct lineage of P. pagenstecheri s.l., which may warrant separate conservation management. Our study reveals a more complex evolutionary history of the genus Pseudemoia than previously appreciated and contributes to our understanding of the biogeography and evolution of Australian mesic zone fauna.
authors.affiliation: Sciences Department, Museum Victoria, GPO Box 666, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia; Zoology Department, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia. Electronic address: mhaines@museum.vic.gov.au.
authors.forename: Margaret L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Haines
authors.affiliation: Sciences Department, Museum Victoria, GPO Box 666, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia.
authors.forename: Adnan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moussalli
authors.affiliation: Zoology Department, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Devi
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stuart-Fox
authors.affiliation: Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Department of Environment and Primary Industries, PO Box 137, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia.
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Clemann
authors.affiliation: Sciences Department, Museum Victoria, GPO Box 666, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Melville
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000235:genetics; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics; D006824:Hybridization, Genetic; D008116:Lizards / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D008957:Models, Genetic; D010802:Phylogeny; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial
keywords: Historical biogeography; Mitochondrial introgression; Molecular systematics; Scincidae; Temperate environments