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Abstract

Allozyme variation at 35 gene loci is investigated in 161 specimens of the uniparental Caucasian lizard Lacerta dahli from several locations in Armenia and Georgia. All individuals are heterozygotic at 12 loci, and homozygotic at 21 loci. Variation at two loci results in five uniparental clones. One clone is widespread whereas four are geographically restricted and are represented by only one or two individuals. Because successful formation of uniparental clones is rare, and because the biparental species forming them are now allopatric, the most probable explanation for the origin of the observed clonal diversity is either mutation or recombination within the common clone. The rare clones have lower levels of enzyme activity at four loci, suggesting that these organisms may be genetically deficient. Although the evidence points to change in a pre-existing clone, the possibility of multiple origins cannot be ruled out.

Clonal Diversity and Clone Formation in the Parthenogenetic Caucasian Rock Lizard Darevskia dahli

“…Previously, an allozyme analysis conducted at 35 gene loci in three Armenian and three Georgian sampled populations of D. dahli revealed one major widespread clone and four rare clones detected only in restricted populations [18]. The authors concluded that the observed allozyme pattern in D. dahli generally followed Parker et al .’s model [10], which is consistent with its single hybridization origin.…”

“…The authors concluded that the observed allozyme pattern in D. dahli generally followed Parker et al .’s model [10], which is consistent with its single hybridization origin. Nevertheless, they noted that possible multiple origins for D. dahli should be investigated further using more effective genomic markers [18]. Among parthenogenetic Darevskia , D. rostombekovi was also suggested to be of single origin [32].…”

“…The patterns of allozyme variability among species of multiple origins ranged from a large variation ( Heteronotia binoei ; [6]) to medium ( Cnemidophorus tesselatus ; [35]), and slight ( Darevskia parthenogens; [18], [32]) variations. Thus, the patterns of allozyme variation in D. dahli [18] do not contradict the multiple hybridization origin demonstrated in our study, and the higher microsatellite clonal diversity reflects the higher effectiveness of the markers used.…”

“…The allozyme patterns observed in the parthenogenetic Darevskia species are generally in accordance with Parker et al .’s model. Among these species, Darevskia dahli has a single origin [18].…”

“…Bright-yellow lizards produce fewer eggs than do pale-yellow lizards, and they tend to be less xerophilous [20]. Examination of allozyme variation in D. dahli revealed the existence of five clones; however, unlike what was observed for the color varieties, one clone was widespread and abundant, and four other clones were rare and geographically restricted [18]. Based on such a pattern of allozyme clone distribution and the current allopatric occurrence of the parental bisexual species, these authors concluded that few bisexual individuals were involved in the formation of the D. dahli species, and that the initial successful clone was formed only once [18].…”