Multi-gene phylogeny of Madagascar’s plated lizards, Zonosaurus and Tracheloptychus (Squamata: Gerrhosauridae)

Recknagel, H. , Elmer, K.R. , Noonan, B.P., Raselimanana, A.P., Meyer, A. and Vences, M. (2013) Multi-gene phylogeny of Madagascar’s plated lizards, Zonosaurus and Tracheloptychus (Squamata: Gerrhosauridae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 69(3), pp. 1215-1221. (doi: 10.1016/j.ympev.2013.06.013)

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Abstract

We analyzed the phylogenetic relationships of the Malagasy plated lizards in the family Gerrhosauridae based on DNA sequence fragments of four mitochondrial and five nuclear genes. Various clades were strongly supported by the concatenated data set and also recovered by separate analyses of mtDNA and nucDNA. In particular, two clades here named the Z. rufipes group (containing Z. bemaraha , Z. brygooi , Z. rufipes , Z. subunicolor , Z. tsingy and an undescribed candidate species from northern Madagascar) and the Z. ornatus group (containing Z. anelanelany , Z. laticaudatus , Z. karsteni , Z. ornatus , Z. quadrilineaus, and Z. trilineatus) were resolved with strong support. A third clade named the Z. madagascariensis group contains Z. madagascariensis with a nested Z. haraldmeieri; the status of that species requires further investigation. Tentatively we also include Z. aeneus in this species group although its phylogenetic relationships were poorly resolved. A fourth clade with less support included Z. boettgeri and Z. maximus. The phylogenetic position of the genus Tracheloptychus remains uncertain: whereas in the species tree it was recovered as the sister group to Zonosaurus, other methods indicated that it was nested within Zonosaurus, albeit alternative topologies were rejected with only marginal statistical support.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Elmer, Professor Kathryn and Recknagel, Mr Hans
Authors: Recknagel, H., Elmer, K.R., Noonan, B.P., Raselimanana, A.P., Meyer, A., and Vences, M.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:1055-7903
ISSN (Online):1095-9513

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