IngentaConnect Genetic variation within Saurodactylus and its phylogenetic relat...

Authors: Rato, Catarina¹; James Harris, David²

Source: Amphibia-Reptilia, Volume 29, Number 1, 2008 , pp. 25-34(10)

Publisher: BRILL

Abstract:

Phylogenetic relationships of the three morphological forms within the gecko genus Saurodactylus were estimated using mtDNA (12S rRNA and ND4) sequences. High between morphological forms variation (up to 25% with ND4), confirms that all three deserve specific status. Saurodactylus mauritanicus and Saurodactylus brosseti are strongly supported as sister taxa. Our results again highlight the extremely high mtDNA variability almost universally reported from within gecko species. The position of Saurodactylus within the Gekkonoidea was also investigated. Although considered as a member of the sphaerodactyl geckos, its taxonomic position is still highly uncertain. Evaluation of C-mos nuclear DNA sequences supports many of the recent taxonomic rearrangements within the Gekkonoidea. Using this marker, Saurodactylus is paraphyletic, with S. mauritanicus and S. brosseti sister taxa to Teratoscincus przewalskii rather than Saurodactylus fasciatus. This is supported by a further nuclear marker, RAG1, although for this gene region sampling is more limited. Based on this paraphyly, supported by two independent nuclear markers, we suggest it likely that Saurodactylus will need to be partitioned into two genera, pending further investigations.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1163/156853808783431406

Affiliations: 1: CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485661 Vairão, Portugal, and Departamento de Zoologia e Antropologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal 2: CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485661 Vairão, Portugal, and Departamento de Zoologia e Antropologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal;, Email: james@mail.icav.up.pt

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Genetic variation within Saurodactylus and its phylogenetic relationships within the Gekkonoidea estimated from mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences