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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Biogeographic history and cryptic diversity of saxicolous Tropiduridae lizards endemic to the semiarid Caatinga

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Author(s):
Werneck, Fernanda P. [1, 2] ; Leite, Rafael N. [3] ; Geurgas, Silvia R. [4] ; Rodrigues, Miguel T. [4]
Total Authors: 4
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Brasilia, Dept Zool, BR-70910900 Brasilia, DF - Brazil
[2] Inst Nacl de Pesquisas da Amazonia, Programa Colecoes Cient Biol, BR-69060000 Manaus, Amazonas - Brazil
[3] Inst Nacl de Pesquisas da Amazonia, Coordenacao Biodiversidade, BR-69060000 Manaus, Amazonas - Brazil
[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biociencias, Dept Zool, BR-05508090 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 4
Document type: Journal article
Source: BMC Evolutionary Biology; v. 15, MAY 23 2015.
Web of Science Citations: 34
Abstract

Background: Phylogeographic research has advanced in South America, with increasing efforts on taxa from the dry diagonal biomes. However, the diversification of endemic fauna from the semiarid Caatinga biome in northeastern Brazil is still poorly known. Here we targeted saxicolous lizards of the Tropidurus semitaeniatus species group to better understand the evolutionary history of these endemic taxa and the Caatinga. We estimated a time-calibrated phylogeny for the species group based on two mitochondrial and two nuclear genes and jointly estimated the species limits and species tree within the group. We also devoted a denser phylogeographic sampling of the T. semitaeniatus complex to explore migration patterns, and the spatiotemporal diffusion history to verify a possible role of the Sao Francisco River as a promoter of differentiation in this saxicolous group of lizards. Results: Phylogenetic analysis detected high cryptic genetic diversity, occurrence of unique microendemic lineages associated with older highlands, and a speciation history that took place during the Pliocene-Pleistocene transition. Species delimitation detected five evolutionary entities within the T. semitaeniatus species group, albeit with low support. Thus, additional data are needed for a more accurate definition of species limits and interspecific relationships within this group. Spatiotemporal analyses reconstructed the geographic origin of the T. semitaeniatus species complex to be located north of the present-day course of the Sao Francisco River, followed by dispersal that expanded its distribution towards the northwest and south. Gene flow estimates showed higher migration rates into the lineages located north of the Sao Francisco River. Conclusions: The phylogenetic and population structures are intrinsically associated with stable rock surfaces and landscape rearrangements, such as the establishment of drainage basins located to the northern and southern distribution ranges. The T. semitaeniatus complex preserved high genetic diversity during range expansion, possibly as a result of frequent long-distance dispersal events. Our results indicate that both the current course of the Sao Francisco River and its paleo-courses had an important role in promoting diversification of the Caatinga endemic T. semitaeniatus species group. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 13/50297-0 - Dimensions US-BIOTA São Paulo: a multidisciplinary framework for biodiversity prediction in the Brazilian Atlantic forest hotspot
Grantee:Cristina Yumi Miyaki
Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants
FAPESP's process: 03/10335-8 - Systematics and evolution of the herpetological fauna from Neotropical areas
Grantee:Miguel Trefaut Urbano Rodrigues
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
FAPESP's process: 11/50146-6 - Comparative phylogeography, phylogeny, paleoclimate modeling, and taxonomy of neotropical reptiles and amphibians
Grantee:Miguel Trefaut Urbano Rodrigues
Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants