Phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history of snake-eyed skink Ablepharus kitaibelii (Sauria: Scincidae)

Poulakakis, Nikos; Lymberakis, Petros; Tsigenopoulos, Costas S.; Magoulas, A.; Mylonas, M.

doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2004.10.006

Cited by 69 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…The uniformity of the nominal subspecies distribution over a vast area was challenged [31]. Phylogeographic relationships and the biogeographical scenario for its distribution in the Aegean are shown in Figure 8.…”

Section: The Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Three Continents Claiming an Archipelago: The Evolution of Aegean’s Herpetofaunal Diversity

Lymberakis

Poulakakis

2010

Diversity

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Abstract:The area of the Aegean can be described as one of nature's most active laboratories. The contemporary geomorphology of the Aegean is a result of diverse and still ongoing geological events, which coupled with climate changes, have created mountains and thousands of islands. The Aegean bridges three continents, where human activity has been recorded for at least 10,000 years. Herpetofauna diversity offered early researchers the possibility of describing patterns in the Aegean, especially as the distributional limit for several species and faunal elements. The patterns initially described at a rather coarse scale formed the frame on which the application of new techniques opened new views and permitted finer analyses. Here, we assess recent works on the Aegean's herpetofauna, outlining the role of sea barriers, especially the Mid Aegean Trench (MAT). We propose four basic patterns (pre-MAT, post-MAT, newcomers, and that of an outlier) and discuss exceptions to these patterns, to interpret the diversity recorded. The interdisciplinary study of taxonomy helps explaining the observed diversity and provides powerful arguments for how exploring diversity can be used to explain more than biological processes.

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Section: The Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Three Continents Claiming an Archipelago: The Evolution of Aegean’s Herpetofaunal Diversity

Lymberakis

Poulakakis

2010

Diversity

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“…There are several studies on land gastropods, but also on butterflies, beetles, terrestrial isopods, scorpions, frogs and lizards, and also plants (Beerli et al, 1996;Sfenthourakis, 1996, Douris et al, 1998, 2007Chatzimanolis et al, 2003;Parmakelis et al, 2003Parmakelis et al, , 2005Parmakelis et al, , 2006aPoulakakis et al, 2003Poulakakis et al, , 2005aBittkau & Comes, 2005;Kasapidis et al, 2005;Klossa-Kilia et al, 2006;Lymberakis et al, 2007;Poulakakis & Sfenthourakis, 2008;Papadopoulou et al, 2009;Lymberakis & Poulakakis, 2010), which suggest that the present distributions of most terrestrial Aegean taxa were shaped primarily through vicariant phenomena that resulted from the complex geological history of the eastern Mediterranean and particularly that of the Aegean archipelago. Nevertheless, dispersal over sea or through occasional land bridges was also involved (see Douris et al, 1998;Dennis et al, 2000;Kasapidis et al, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do diversity patterns of the spring-inhabiting snail Bythinella (Gastropoda, Bythinellidae) on the Aegean Islands reflect geological history?

et al. 2015

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To explain the origin of the differentiation of the spring-inhabiting fauna on an island system, this study focused on the Aegean Islands and the Bythinella snails as a model organism. We inferred the phylogeographic pattern of the Aegean Bythinella with two molecular markers, and compared the inferred pattern with the geological history of the region and the estimated levels of biodiversity of Bythinella in Greece. 95 sequences of COI and 60 of ITS-1 were obtained from samples collected from Andros, Crete, Naxos, Chios, Kithira, and western Turkey, and pooled with previously published sequences from continental Greece. Phylogenetic analysis based on the COI revealed seven new clades. On Crete, three distinct clades were identified. The estimated divergence time indicated that the geological history of the island, which was divided into smaller islands until 2-3 Mya, was most probably responsible for such high diversity. Bythinella populations inhabiting Turkey were distinct from the Aegean populations, and the divergence began after the Zanclean flood (5.3 Mya). Shell morphology and anatomy of reproductive organs confirmed that molecularly distinct clades were real entities. Biodiversity analysis revealed that, in addition to five previously known Bythinella hotspots, there is a sixth in central Greece.Keywords Origin and history of spring fauna Á Springs as ephemeral habitats Á mtDNA Á COI Á ITS-1 Á Morphology Á Phylogeography Á Biodiversity

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“…The lack of genetic variation among the recently captured individuals may imply that a single lineage is present on the island, with few inter-island exchanges having occurred; however, further sampling is needed to test this hypothesis. Moreover, the degree of genetic divergence in the mitochondrial sequences (rates in Squamata are 0.45% and 0.5% per million years for 16S and 12S, respectively [74,75]) suggests that P. bocourti diverged from main island L. nigrofasciolatum around the Middle Miocene (Figure 5). All of these results are in accordance with the possibility that P. bocourti could be present in numerous other areas of New Caledonia, which may be more or less affected by anthropomorphic disturbances (e.g.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is Bocourt’s Terrific Skink Really So Terrific? Trophic Myth and Reality

et al. 2013

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Many scientists argue that our planet is undergoing a mass extinction event that is largely due to human influences. In this context, rediscoveries of species presumed to be extinct are encouraging and of great potential interest. During a 2003 expedition to New Caledonia, Bocourt’s terrific skink, Phoboscincus bocourti, was unexpectedly rediscovered on a small islet by one of us. This skink species had been described from a single specimen collected around 1872 in New Caledonia. Since that time, however, no data on the species’ biology, trophic interactions, or role in the ecosystem have been collected, making it difficult to follow the established conservation plan. In this study, we used a multidisciplinary approach involving natural history, anatomy, morphology, genetics, and stable isotopes to elucidate the ecology of Bocourt’s terrific skink. Over the course of three different expeditions to the islet (total of 55 days across 2005 and 2012), we captured 4 individuals and observed another 4 individuals. The species’ dentition and trophic ecology suggest that it is a top predator in its ecosystem and a major consumer of small terrestrial reptiles. Its high degree of genetic relatedness to another New Caledonian skink, which has a broad distribution, suggests that P. bocourti underwent genetic isolation at a geographical remote location, where dispersal or colonization was highly improbable. Moreover, the lack of genetic variation among the four individuals we captured may imply that a unique lineage, characterized by few inter-island exchanges, exists on the islet. Bocourt’s terrific skink may be the largest terrestrial squamate predator alive in New Caledonia today. As a result, it is likely vulnerable to habitat modifications and especially the invasive rodents found on this islet. Further information is necessary to assess the conservation plans and practices in place as no concrete changes have been made since the species’ rediscovery almost 10 years ago.

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Phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history of snake-eyed skink Ablepharus kitaibelii (Sauria: Scincidae)

Cited by 69 publications

References 35 publications

Three Continents Claiming an Archipelago: The Evolution of Aegean’s Herpetofaunal Diversity

Three Continents Claiming an Archipelago: The Evolution of Aegean’s Herpetofaunal Diversity

Do diversity patterns of the spring-inhabiting snail Bythinella (Gastropoda, Bythinellidae) on the Aegean Islands reflect geological history?

Is Bocourt’s Terrific Skink Really So Terrific? Trophic Myth and Reality

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