Naslov
Mitochondrial DNA diversity within Podarcis melisellensis and its importance for subspecific taxonomy

Autori
Podnar, Martina ; Mayer, Werner

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
Abstracts of the Fourth International Symposium on the Lacertids of the Mediterranean Basin. Govern de les Illes Balears, Menorca, Mao / Pérez-Mellado, Valentin - , 2001, 71-72

Skup
The Fourth International Symposium on the Lacertids of the Mediterranean Basin.

Mjesto i datum
Maó, Španjolska, 07.05.2001. - 11.05.2001

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Poster

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
Podarcis melisellensis; subspecies; mitochondrial DNA; taxonomy

Sažetak
Podarcis melisellensis (Reptilia, Lacertidae) is one of the most abundant member of the herpetozenosis of the Croatian coast and islands. Therefore, the evolution of this species could be regarded as a key for understanding the biogeography of the eastern Adriatic region. Although the majority of the Adriatic islands has not been isolated for more than 16 000 years, the populations have undergone considerable evolution in size, colour and pigmentation patterns which resulted in the great number of described subspecies whose taxonomic status is still questionable. Currently, there are 20 recognised subspecies of P. melisellensis that were described by different authors on the basis of morphometric characters by means of the so-called "conventional" procedure for describing subspecies. Since it is known that: 1) the conventional procedure is highly subjective, 2) the morphometric characters are often influenced by environmental factors and 3) the large number of the meaningless subspecies doesn't contribute to, but rather obscure the understanding of phylogeography of species, we analysed the phylogenetic relationships between 11 subspecies by sequencing parts of three mitochondrial genes: 12S and 16S rRNA (approx. 960 bp together ; 8 populations) and cytochrome b (903 bp ; 17 populations). Regarding the pattern of sequence divergences among samples, there is a high congruence between data obtained from the slowly evolving rRNA genes and the 3 times faster evolving cytochrome b gene. The phylogenetic analysis of sequence data revealed three main clusters: 1) the "fiumana" cluster comprising five presently recognised subspecies (fiumana, kornatica, curzolensis, gigantea and traguriana), 2) the "melisellensis" cluster containing six currently recognised subspecies (melisellensis, galvagnii, lissana, pomoensis, gigas and kammereri) and 3) a distinct lineage from Lastovo Island, which is currently also assigned to P. m. lissana. The distances obtained within the "fiumana" group ranges from 0-0.7 % for 12S and 16S rRNA, and 0-1.2 % for the cytochrome b gene. Within the "melisellensis" group, distances between 0.4 and 0.8 % for 12S and 16 rRNA, and 0.5-1.5 % for the cytochrome b are found. The average difference between both groups turned out to be 2.3 % for ribosomal genes, and 6% for cytochrome b, and the Lastovo population differs from the previously mentioned groups by an average of 2.3% for 12S and 16S rRNA, and 5.7% for cytochrome b gene. Our results reveal the necessity for an extensive taxonomic revision at the intraspecific level. Nevertheless, for completion of a taxonomic revision, also the remaining 9 subspecies of P. melisellensis should be investigated. Among the taxa analysed in this study we recognise only three subspecies and suggest the following changes of the infraspecific nomenclature: All presently recognised subspecies that fall either into the "fiumana" or "melisellensis" group, should be assigned to P. m. fiumana or P. m. melisellensis respectively and a new taxon at subspecies level from the Lastovo Island should be described. However, the analysis of other data sets, at least a critical morphometric analysis should previously be performed.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija

POVEZANOST RADA