Cryptic diversity in the lizard genus Plica (Squamata): phylogenetic diversity and Amazonian biogeography

Abstract

de Carvalho V.T., Hrbek T. (2016). Cryptic diversity in the lizard genus Plica (Squamata): phylogenetic diversity and Amazonian biogeography. -Zoologica Scripta, 45, 630-641. Intra-and interspecific genetic diversity of the lizard species Plica plica (9 localities) and Plica umbra (19 localities) from the Brazilian Amazon was analysed using two mitochondrial (16S rDNA and CO1) and one nuclear (prolactin receptor -PRLR) genes. We generated a maximum-likelihood and Bayesian hypotheses of phylogenetic relationships, and using the bPTP and ABGD lineage delimiting methods inferred the most likely number of lineages within each species. Both methods delimited five distinct lineages in Plica plica and six lineages within Plica umbra. The nominal subspecies of Plica umbra was comprised of one lineage, while Plica umbra ochrocollaris was comprised of five lineages. In majority of the cases, lineages were restricted to the interfluves of major Amazonian rivers, and different lineages occupied distinct areas of endemism. Phylogenetic relationships of the lineages are largely concordant with the hypothesized formation of the areas of endemism. The geographic structuring of the clades and the delimitation of these clades as distinct lineages suggest the possibility that these lineages represent species. If the observed diversity of lineages within the genus Plica is characteristic of squamate reptiles of the Amazon region, the diversity of squamates is grossly underestimated.

Titi monkey biogeography: Parallel Pleistocene spread byPlecturocebusandCheracebusinto a post‐Pebas Western Amazon

“…Rondônia is the only geographic area with members from more than one of the four major P. moloch group lineages (notably, containing taxa from all four) and is of evident importance to understanding the biogeographic history of this group. This pattern of shared lineages in the Rondônia region appears to be common as similar patterns are observed in birds (e.g., Fernandes, ; Thom & Aleixo, ), lizards (de Oliveira, de Carvalho, & Hrbek, ) and squirrel monkeys (Lynch Alfaro, Boubli, et al., ). Studies with a specific focus on the biogeography of the P. moloch group will provide insight into diversification dynamics within Rondônia at a finer scale.…”

Testing the Effects of Barriers on the Genetic Connectivity inPodocnemis erythrocephala(Red-Headed Amazon River Turtle): Implications for Management and Conservation

“…-The riverine hypothesis states that the large rivers in the Amazon basin isolate populations on opposite banks, thus limiting gene flow and allowing populations to diverge via selection or genetic drift (Haffer 2008). Genetic evidence fully or partially supporting this hypothesis is limited to the studies of terrestrial vertebrates, such as nonvolant birds (Ribas et al 2012), frogs (Gascon et al 1998;Fouquet et al 2015), and lizards (Oliveira et al 2016). There is also evidence that rivers delimit small birds (Fernandes et al 2012(Fernandes et al , 2014Fernandes 2013;Weir et al 2015).…”

Population genetic structure and species delimitation of a widespread, Neotropical dwarf gecko

“…composed of multiple undescribed and/or cryptic species). This pattern extends across many terrestrial vertebrate groups including, but not limited to: anole lizards (D'angiolella et al, 2011(D'angiolella et al, , Glor et al, 2001), frogs (Camargo et al, 2006, Caminer et al, 2017, Chek et al, 2001, Fouquet et al, 2007a, Fouquet et al, 2014, Funk et al, 2012, Gehara et al, 2014, Guayasamin et al, 2017, Wynn and Heyer, 2001, gecko lizards (Bergmann and Russell, 2007, Gamble et al, 2011a, Geurgas and Rodrigues, 2010, Kronauer et al, 2005, salamanders (Hervas et al, 2016), toads (Fouquet et al, 2007a, Funk et al, 2012, Murphy et al, 2017b, and other herpetofauna (Nunes et al, 2012, De Oliveira et al, 2016. Furthermore, identifying concordant patterns in species' ranges is an important step in the testing of complex biogeographical scenarios that underpin the origins of biodiversity (Clarke et al, 2017a, Clarke et al, 2017b, Costello et al, 2013, Da Silva and Patton, 1993, Díaz-Nieto et al, 2016, Ditchfield, 2000, Gazoni et al, 2018, Gehara et al, 2014, Miralles and Carranza, 2010, Stroud et al, 2017, Turchetto-Zolet et al, 2013.…”