Species on the rocks: Systematics and biogeography of the rock-dwelling Ptyodactylus geckos (Squamata: Phyllodactylidae) in North Africa and Arabia

Metallinou, Margarita; Červenka, J; Crochet, Pierre‐André; Kratochvíl, Lukáš; Wilms, Thomas; Géniez, Philippe; Shobrak, Mohammed; Brito, José Carlos; Carranza, Salvador

doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2015.02.010

Cited by 70 publications

(88 citation statements)

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“…All specimens were sequenced for both strands for two mitochondrial gene fragments: the ribosomal 12S rDNA ( 12S ) and the cytochrome b ( cytb ) and three nuclear gene fragments: the oocyte maturation factor MOS ( c-mos ), the melanocortin 1 receptor ( MC1R ) and the acetylcholine receptor M4 ( ACM4 ). Primers and PCR conditions for the amplification of all fragments are the same as listed in Table S2 of Metallinou et al (2015).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite the problems associated with using evolutionary rates from other organisms for time tree calibration, the rates inferred by Carranza & Arnold (2012) and applied here correspond with the rates obtained in other independent studies that used different calibration points and different taxa (Metallinou et al, 2012; Sindaco et al, 2012). Indeed, the rates by Carranza & Arnold (2012) have been applied to several different studies for which reliable internal calibration points based on biogeographic events or fossil evidence do not exist (Gómez-Díaz et al, 2012; Hawlitschek & Glaw, 2013; Metallinou & Carranza, 2013; Milá et al, 2013; Šmíd et al, 2013; Vasconcelos & Carranza, 2014; Metallinou et al, 2015; De Pous et al, 2016; Tamar et al, 2016). Tree nodes were considered strongly supported if they received ML bootstrap values ≥70% and posterior probability (pp) support values ≥0.95 (Wilcox et al, 2002; Huelsenbeck & Rannala, 2004).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Consequently, Rastegar-Pouyani, Nilson & Faizi (2006) proposed the Zagros Mountains as the center of origin of Asaccus ; a hypothesis that was recently challenged by a partial molecular phylogeny of the genus, in which the Hajar endemic A. montanus was recovered as a sister taxon to all the other Asaccus species included in the analyses (Papenfuss et al, 2010). Moreover, preliminary morphological (Arnold & Gardner, 1994) and molecular (Papenfuss et al, 2010) data indicate that the diversity of Asaccus caudivolvulus Arnold & Gardner, 1994 and Asaccus gallagheri Arnold, 1972 in the Hajar Mountains is probably underestimated, something that has been already shown for several other reptile groups such as Hemidactylus (Carranza & Arnold, 2012), Pristurus (Badiane et al, 2014); Ptyodactylus (Metallinou et al, 2015) and Trachydactylus (De Pous et al, 2016). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…As a result of its old geological origin, geographical isolation, complex topography with many high peaks and very deep canyons (wadis) that cut through the mountains and a local microclimate, the Hajar Mountains have a relatively rich fauna and flora, providing an important refuge for endemic and relict species mostly of Indo-Iranian origin (Mandaville, 1977 and references therein). With 17 species almost exclusively restricted to this mountain region, reptiles are the vertebrate group with the highest level of endemicity and one of the main inhabitants of the Hajar Mountains (Arnold, 1972; Arnold, 1986; Arnold & Gallagher, 1977; Arnold & Gardner, 1994; Carranza & Arnold, 2012; Gardner, 2013; Metallinou et al, 2015; De Pous et al, 2016; Tamar et al, 2016). Of all the endemic reptiles, the geckos of the genus Asaccus Dixon & Anderson, 1973 are the ones with the highest level of endemicity (four endemic species) and a group that clearly exemplifies the affinities between the Hajar Mountains in Arabia and the Zagros Mountains of southwest Asia (Torki et al, 2011a; Uetz, Goll & Hallerman, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Microendemicity in the northern Hajar Mountains of Oman and the United Arab Emirates with the description of two new species of geckos of the genusAsaccus(Squamata: Phyllodactylidae)

Carranza

Simó‐Riudalbas

Jayasinghe

et al. 2016

PeerJ

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BackgroundThe Hajar Mountains of Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the highest mountain range in Eastern Arabia. As a result of their old geological origin, geographical isolation, complex topography and local climate, these mountains provide an important refuge for endemic and relict species of plants and animals with strong Indo-Iranian affinities. Among vertebrates, the rock climbing nocturnal geckos of the genus Asaccus represent the genus with the highest number of endemic species in the Hajar Mountains. Recent taxonomic studies on the Zagros populations of Asaccus have shown that this genus is much richer than it was previously thought and preliminary morphological and molecular data suggest that its diversity in Arabia may also be underestimated.MethodsA total of 83 specimens originally classified as Asaccus caudivolvulus (including specimens of the two new species described herein), six other Asaccus species from the Hajar and the Zagros Mountains and two representatives of the genus Haemodracon were sequenced for up to 2,311 base pairs including the mitochondrial 12S and cytb and the nuclear c-mos, MC1R and ACM4 genes. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using both Bayesian and maximum-likelihood approaches and the former method was also used to calibrate the phylogenetic tree. Haplotype networks and phylogenetic trees were inferred from the phased nuclear genes only. Sixty-one alcohol-preserved adult specimens originally classified as Asaccus caudivolvulus from the northern Hajar Mountains were examined for 13 morphometric and the five meristic variables using multivariate methods and were also used to diagnose and describe the two new species.ResultsThe results of the molecular and morphological analyses indicate that the species originally classified as Asaccus caudivolvulus is, in fact, an assemblage of three different species that started diversifying during the Mid-Miocene. The molecular phylogenies consistently recovered the Hajar endemic A. montanus as sister taxon to all the other Asaccus species included in the analyses, rendering the Arabian species of Asaccus polyphyletic.DiscussionUsing this integrative approach we have uncovered a very old diversification event that has resulted in a case of microendemicity, where three morphologically and ecologically similar medium-sized lizard species coexist in a very short and narrow mountain stretch. Asaccus caudivolvulus is restricted to a small coastal area of the UAE and at risk from heavy development, while the two new species described herein are widely distributed across the northern tip of the Hajar Mountains and seem to segregate in altitude when found in close proximity in the Musandam Peninsula (Oman). Similarly to other integrative analyses of Hajar reptiles, this study highlights the high level of diversity and endemicity of this arid mountain range, underscoring its status as one of the top hotspots of reptile diversity in Arabia.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Microendemicity in the northern Hajar Mountains of Oman and the United Arab Emirates with the description of two new species of geckos of the genusAsaccus(Squamata: Phyllodactylidae)

Carranza

Simó‐Riudalbas

Jayasinghe

et al. 2016

PeerJ

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“…IUCN threat categories can only be assigned to species that have been formally described. However, in many regions of the world (e.g., New Zealand, Tingley et al, 2013aTingley et al, , 2013bChapple and Ritchie, 2013;Venezuela, Rivas et al, 2012;Argentina, Avila et al, 2013;India, Agarwal et al, 2014;Agarwal and Karanth, 2015; North Africa, Metallinou et al, 2015) there is a large number of undescribed lizard species. Thus, an increased emphasis should be placed on species description, in addition to species discovery (e.g., Rosauer et al, in this issue).…”

Section: Trait Not Assessed Assessedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biases in the current knowledge of threat status in lizards, and bridging the ‘assessment gap’

Meiri

Chapple

2016

Biological Conservation

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Classifying biogeographic realms of the endemic fauna in the Afro‐Arabian region

Soultan

Wikelski

Safi

2020

Ecology and Evolution

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Aim Understanding diversity patterns and identifying the environmental factors that shape these patterns are essential for ecology and conservation. The Afro‐Arabian region comprises one of the most important biogeographic areas connecting continents. Yet, little emphasis has been put on understanding its endemic fauna in relation to its biogeographic realms. Our objective is to fill the gaps in knowledge on diversity patterns and biogeography that are essential for prioritizing the overdue conservation efforts. Location The study area covers mostly the hot desert climate region in North Africa and Arabia, and includes the Mediterranean, Sahel, and Ethiopian highlands (hereafter “Afro‐Arabian region”). Methods We used distribution maps developed by IUCN and BirdLife for species endemic to the Afro‐Arabian region belonging to the four tetrapod classes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, to identify the endemic richness hotspots. We then used multivariate analyses to delineate biogeographic regions and evaluate their relationship with the environmental factors. Results Our study reveals a complex map of the richness hotspots for the endemic tetrapod classes. The main hotspots of endemism were concentrated at the margins of the study area, along the Mediterranean coast, Ethiopian highlands, and along the Red Sea Mountains. We propose classifying the Afro‐Arabian region into three discrete biogeographic realms for endemic amphibians, four for reptiles and birds, and five discrete biogeographic realms for endemic mammals. The identified realms are defined by their environmental conditions and the historical geological processes. Main conclusions Richness hotspots of endemic tetrapod classes were heterogeneously distributed in the Afro‐Arabian region. Our results support the hypothesis that species diversity patterns and endemism have been shaped by the environmental conditions and the paleogeographic processes. Each of the identified bioregions is associated with a characteristic set of tetrapod species. Our results are a benchmark for assessing the effectiveness of the protected areas and for implementing conservation plans for biodiversity.

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Species on the rocks: Systematics and biogeography of the rock-dwelling Ptyodactylus geckos (Squamata: Phyllodactylidae) in North Africa and Arabia

Cited by 70 publications

References 68 publications

Microendemicity in the northern Hajar Mountains of Oman and the United Arab Emirates with the description of two new species of geckos of the genusAsaccus(Squamata: Phyllodactylidae)

Microendemicity in the northern Hajar Mountains of Oman and the United Arab Emirates with the description of two new species of geckos of the genusAsaccus(Squamata: Phyllodactylidae)

Biases in the current knowledge of threat status in lizards, and bridging the ‘assessment gap’

Classifying biogeographic realms of the endemic fauna in the Afro‐Arabian region

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