engleski

New chromosomal and mitochondrial DNA data on the wide-ranged Eurasian species Zootoca vivipara (Reptilia, Lacertidae) from Central Europe and the evolution of viviparity.

The widely distributed Eurasian lizard Zootoca vivipara (Reptilia, Lacertidae) is represented in Europe by a mosaical array of populations diverging in karyological and molecular features as well as in reproduction mode. This paper presents the results of chromosomal and molecular investigations of Z. vivipara from Central Europe. The karyotypes of specimens of five population groups (including the terra typica of the species) from Austria and Germany as representatives of different mitochondrial haploclades have been analysed for the first time. These samples differ in the female diploid number (2n=35 ; 2n=36), in the type of female sex chromosome (ZW ; Z1Z2W), in W chromosome morphology (m ; A/ST ; SV), and in the modes of reproduction (oviparous/ viviparous) in the females with 2n=36, Zw. From the karyological data these populations correspond to several known chromosomal forms and subspecies of Z. vivipara from different regions of western and eastern Europe. No mosaic cells or disturbances of chromosomal characters were found and there is no indication of introgression in specimens from a locality close to a haploclade border. The obtained chromosomal data were compared with the known karyotypes of Z. vivipara from populations inhabiting other regions of the vast area of the species. We could demonstrate that the cytogenetical characters are in a good agreement with mitochondrial DNA data. Our comparative chromosomal and molecular analyses of Z. vivipara from Central Europe strongly support the previous hypothesis (Odierna, 2004 ; Surget-Groba et. al., 2005) that viviparity arose twice independently in different populations. The causes of high diversity of chromosomal, mitochondrial and reproductive forms in Central Europe as well as possible taxonomic consequences are discussed in detail.

Zootoca vivipara; karyotypes; mitochondrial DNA

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