Taxonomy
The Phelsuma lineata-group unraffled?
14/07/13 07:57
A recently published article in the “Organisms Diversity & Evolution” unravels the complicated Phelsuma lineata-group by mtDNA sampling and analysis.
Day geckos of the Phelsuma lineata-group are widespread in Madagascar and have been historically split into numerous species and subspecies based almost exclusively on differences in coloration and body size. We apply phylogenetic and phylogeographic methods to examine the biogeography and taxonomy of these lizards, including explicit tests of various biogeographic predictions and based on a molecular data set covering much of the distribution ranges of all species and subspecies of P. lineata, P. dorsivittata, P. comorensis, P. hoeschi, P. kely, and P. pusilla in Madagascar (and the Comoros archipelago for P. comorensis).
Sequences of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA and the nuclear RAG-1 gene fragment were determined from 376 samples, and a multigene mtDNA phylogeny of the species group was constructed for the main phylogroups identified in the 16S haplotype network. We used the 16S sequences to estimate the geographic location of the ancestor of each major mtDNA clade and to infer their demographic history using a variety of statistical tools. Our phylogeny separates the taxa analyzed into two well-supported major subclades mainly occurring in the north respectively east of the island.
Mismatch distribution of samples together with rejection of neutrality, the results of Bayesian Skyline Plots analysis, and a star-like network suggests a recent demographic expansion for the P. l. lineata lineage into the eastern lowlands, while the highland (P. l. elanthana) and northern clades (P. dorsivittata and P. l. punctulata) show signatures of rather stable populations.
Phelsuma dorsivittata from the Ampasindava peninsula © Emmanuel Van Heygen
A major genetic discontinuity observed coincided with a northern lowland stretch that separates mid-altitude rainforests in the north from those in the center and south. Our analysis points to numerous unsolved taxonomic problems in this group of geckos, especially in the small-sized taxa (P. hoeschi, P. kely, P. pusilla), and provides a basis for a future comprehensive taxonomic revision, which will require integrative analysis of molecular, morphological and chromatic data as well as careful examination of type specimens.
Reference
Gehring, P. S., F. Glaw, M. Gehara, F. M. Ratsoavina & M. Vences (2013): Northern origin and diversification in central lowlands? - Complex phylogeography and taxonomy of widespread day geckos (Phelsuma) from Madagascar. – Organisms, Diversity and Evolution, published online.
Day geckos of the Phelsuma lineata-group are widespread in Madagascar and have been historically split into numerous species and subspecies based almost exclusively on differences in coloration and body size. We apply phylogenetic and phylogeographic methods to examine the biogeography and taxonomy of these lizards, including explicit tests of various biogeographic predictions and based on a molecular data set covering much of the distribution ranges of all species and subspecies of P. lineata, P. dorsivittata, P. comorensis, P. hoeschi, P. kely, and P. pusilla in Madagascar (and the Comoros archipelago for P. comorensis).
Sequences of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA and the nuclear RAG-1 gene fragment were determined from 376 samples, and a multigene mtDNA phylogeny of the species group was constructed for the main phylogroups identified in the 16S haplotype network. We used the 16S sequences to estimate the geographic location of the ancestor of each major mtDNA clade and to infer their demographic history using a variety of statistical tools. Our phylogeny separates the taxa analyzed into two well-supported major subclades mainly occurring in the north respectively east of the island.
Mismatch distribution of samples together with rejection of neutrality, the results of Bayesian Skyline Plots analysis, and a star-like network suggests a recent demographic expansion for the P. l. lineata lineage into the eastern lowlands, while the highland (P. l. elanthana) and northern clades (P. dorsivittata and P. l. punctulata) show signatures of rather stable populations.
Phelsuma dorsivittata from the Ampasindava peninsula © Emmanuel Van Heygen
A major genetic discontinuity observed coincided with a northern lowland stretch that separates mid-altitude rainforests in the north from those in the center and south. Our analysis points to numerous unsolved taxonomic problems in this group of geckos, especially in the small-sized taxa (P. hoeschi, P. kely, P. pusilla), and provides a basis for a future comprehensive taxonomic revision, which will require integrative analysis of molecular, morphological and chromatic data as well as careful examination of type specimens.
Reference
Gehring, P. S., F. Glaw, M. Gehara, F. M. Ratsoavina & M. Vences (2013): Northern origin and diversification in central lowlands? - Complex phylogeography and taxonomy of widespread day geckos (Phelsuma) from Madagascar. – Organisms, Diversity and Evolution, published online.
Molecular analysis of the genus Phelsuma brings more clarity in evolutionary relationships
27/05/09 11:17
A new study by Rocha et al. brings some more clarity in Phelsuma evolutionary relationships. Despite extensive work on Phelsuma taxonomy, ecology, biogeography and ethology, the relationships between species is not fully understood. Many species and subspecies descriptions are based only on variations in colour. Polymorphism is common in the genus, so some taxa are non-valid and only based on geographical colour morphs.
Read More...New phelsuma species and three subspecies of Phelsuma madagascariensis elevated to full species status
24/12/07 08:57
Raxworthy et al. (2007) describe a new species, Phelsuma ravenala, similar to Phelsuma dubia but from eastern Madagascar,and elevate three subspecies of Phelsuma madagascariensis to full species status. Phelsuma madagascariensis boehmei is considered a synonym of Phelsuma madagascariensis.
Read More...
Read More...
Remarks on the Phelsuma barbouri— and Phelsuma klemmeri— phenetic groups, Phelsuma Gray, 1825
20/08/04 13:50
Loveridge (1942) made the first attempt to sort out relationships within the genus Phelsuma, neither groups were named nor was a phenetic key provided. In Mertens’s (1962) revision he slightly modified Loveridge’s (1942) characteristics and used them to designate species groups. Glaw & Vences (1994) added and modified groups relevant to that date. For Phelsuma klemmeri and Phelsuma barbouri however, neither a group was named, nor were they assigned to any of the existing groups. In the latest revision, by Glaw et. al (1999), Phelsuma klemmeri was placed as a single taxon within the P. klemmeri-group and the in the mean time described Phelsuma pronki (Seipp, 1994) was placed together with Phelsuma barbouri in the new P. barbouri-group. Read More...